Saga 3 Episode 21: Where My Demons Hide

## **Participants**

Connor RyojiSylWashiHeba
I

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l\_2BSHbv3SY&list=PLYNBny7IRlVnrGC-RuQIVVorxDUTCk6dV&index=28 ) In the garden section of the Tasanagi Dojo Connor would’ve been sitting down in a meditative pose. His legs crossed, but his arms folded across his chest, as he’d wait for Syl to awaken after the other day’s training session. His eyes were closed, and there was a feint glowing blue aura streaming from his body. Connor’s chi consist of usually red and blue, each one switching between the mood he is in. as he sits today, he wears a pair of Gi pants, tied on by a black belt, and having nothing on his wrist except some sweat bands. His brow furrowed as he waited paiteintly. Washi appeared beside him only to start asking questions about the day at hand.

Washi: Connor…you know this method is borderline suicide right? We can do it but do you have the patience.

Connor: -keeps his eyes closed- I need nothing but the sheer badassery of my mind to keep this working the way it should. Do not question my methods friend.

Washi:-scratches his head- Well someone has to. Least you double check yourself so I’ll give you that credit.

Once Syl was awakened and dressed for the occasion she’d be guided outside by one of the students who’d show her where Connor was. When she was close enough Connor would keep his eyes closed but continue talking.

Connor: Good come sit. –waits for her to sit- Now then today is going to be the hardest fight of your life. Besides with me of course.

Washi:-shakes his head- Arrogant aside, today we’re going to preform something that is hard for others but easier for us Onihoruda. It’s called mental training. You see because we have two minds occupying in one body, our brains are essentially bigger and can compile, store, and visualize more than the average human combatant. We will enter this mental plain, and that is where your test will begin. You and Heba will work together to defeat..well. it’ll manifest itself. If you complete this you’ll ascend to a new level of power known as the Oni Trigger, as we’ve discussed.

Connor: What’s important is making sure you and Heba are on the same page. Are you? Like are y’all legit ready? Cause if Heba and you both lose, Heba just gets a free body. Then of course if she wants to go on an evil rampage, we fight, blah blah blah all that good shit. So, you ready?

( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LQcF1WCMBI )

Syl's eyes opened slowly, throwing her arm over her eyes she groaned and turned onto her side. Staring at the wall she pulled the blanket over her head and clsoed her eyes again. She was going to fall back asleep but a knocking at the door forced her awake. She sat up and rubbed her eyes, her extremely long hair in disarray and some strands stuck out awkwardly.

Syl: "Come in." she called softly as a student of the Dojo let himself in and began speaking. "Sensei Connor wants you outside as soon as possible Miss." She nodded and groaned before flopping back down onti the bed. "Ughhh...." As the student left the room to wait outside Heba materialized beside Syl and looked at her.

Heba: \*"Come on now Syl, get up." the snake hissed at her host. Syl nodded and soon got herself out of bed. Standing infront of the mirror she soon was ready for combat. She finished up by putting her hair up in a high ponytail. ( http://pds15.egloos.com/pds/200911/10/75/b0042375\_4af85755affa2.jpg  ) Sighing she looked back into the mirror and Heba who happened to be standing behind her.

Syl: "Ready Heba?" The snake nodded and Syl walked out of the room and over to Connor led by the student. She walked over to Connor and as he mentioned for her to sit she sat across from him indian style.

"Now then today is going to be the hardest fight of your life." Connor spoke, and Syl nodded as Heba curled herself around her host. As Washi explained about entering the Mental plain and the elusive form known as the Oni Trigger. "Im ready, Syl said as she adjusted herself with her hands gripping her thighs. "Whenever your ready." she breathed softly and Heba nodded signaling she was ready also.

(http://listenonrepeat.com/watch/?v=zY\_UCUHNnIo#Justin\_Timberlake\_-\_Blue\_Ocean\_Floor\_%28Official\_Instrumental%29 my ish xD)When she said she was ready Connor would’ve continued keeping his eyes closed, but nodded to show that he was listening.

Connor: Alright then.

Some of the students stood at the doors and watched. They’d never seen two oni’s interact outside of the Tasanagi’s and Connor himself so they were interested to see the things Keyth always told them about. Connor opened his eyes and as he did the red irises would’ve glowed brightly, in turn causing her own iris’s to glow! A piercing stare that quite literally penetrated her mind.  Syl would’ve been able to feel a sensation that would only be described as her soul leaving her body. She’d travel through what seemed like a collage of her memories, good and bad, pictures and moving images flooding her mind but they were passing her by rather than staying and replaying themselves to her. After a while of this Syl would find herself in a wide white hallway. On the walls were giant doorways that only lead to more white space, and it looked endless as far as one could tell.

Connor’s voice would come from behind her, as he stood there with his arms folded and Washi beside him.

Connor: It’s about to start. I’ll be here to monitor what’s going on but…well that’s it. This is all you and I can’t interfere. If our essences clash it could be deadly for both of our brains. Me and Kin do this on a regular so it’s not an issue but I’ve barely gotten to know you. Nice ass though. –gives her a thumbs up-

An echo of a low humming noise begins to fill the hall.

Washi: Here it comes. Good luck Syl. Heba.

As they spoke, puddle of black would’ve begun bubbling up about 15 feet in front of Syl. There was nothing immediately harmful about it but a shape began to rise up from it’s boiling black liqud and form a shape. The shape stopped being much taller than Syl and slender. The black goop dripped off of it’s form and it revealed a figure all to familiar to Syl…it took the form of her mother but more warped than it’s ever appeared.

She had wide eyes, pitch black hair and pale skin. A black dress, and ridiculously long arms. She raised one up to point at Syl.

Mother: -distorted whisper- Awww look at my beautiful baby girl. Oh how mommy’s missed you so. You never call…nor do you choose to acknowledge me as your parent. –she waved her finger back and forth in a taunting motion- You’ve been a bad girl…very, very bad.

The figure that was her “mother” now had a black smog emitting from the base of her dress. She looked at Syl with a mix of compassion and murderous intent. Connor’s right eye twitched at this image as he spoke to Washi.

Connor: I’m not…I’m not seeing the resemblance. Syl look like she eat red beans and rice and this other chick looks like she eats air and cardboard.

Washi: It’s a manifestation of something Syl detest more than anything. She may have history we know not of.

The figure would sit and wait for Syl to approach it, hoping the sight of her mother would trigger the more “feral” side of the Onihoruda.

II
--

( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRFBWdSWxd8 )

Syl's eyes glowed as his did, and she was transported into her own mind. It felt like she was being pulled gently from herself...like she was in water. Her flashing memories replaying before her as she seemed to be pulled along by an unknown force. Syl was beginning to wonder when it would end...it felt like eternity. However, she soon found herself in a long white hallway. Her pupils dilated into tiny slits as they were assaulted with the blinding endless white. Looking around she took a step forward and her shoe echoed around her, reaching up to rub the back of her neck she swallowed the lump that had risen in her throat. It was overwhelming as she realized how endless it looked extending door after door, room after room. As she froze up Connor's voice sounded from behind her and she jumped. She nodded quietly, she wasn’t really sure what to say.

Heba: "Syl. Look." The snake oni pointed down the hallway as a ink like puddle would form and shape. Contorting itself into a distorted image of Syl's mother. As it finally formed itself before Syl both Oni and host would look on with a blank expression.  As it began talking and berating Syl, she unconsciously hung her head. Heba looked at Syl and coiled around her body. "Syl. Relax." Syl nodded and took a deep breath inhaling and exhaling. Syl looked up at the form of her mother again and steeled herself.

Syl: "No I reject you as my mother. You ruined my life." She said her red eyes narrowing as she stepped toward the creature. "I don’t have a mother." She growled as Heba also took on a look of fury and coiled herself closer to Syl.

Mother:-The mother would’ve listened to her talk before letting out a mix between a growl and a raspy laugh- You can’t reject the truth sweetie. Here, come give mommy a big HUG

Shouting out the last portion of her sentence, she clapped her hands together, and the room would’ve begun shaking wildly and violently. As it did, tuffs of dust fell from the support collumns, and burning pillars of flame began to rise and shoot up violently! They shot straight into the air into the endless void before setting the entire room around them  blaze!

The flames quickly closing in on Syl, attempting to consume and devour her, singing her to a crisp. These were no normal flames however, as the essence only took the form and ability of something Syl hated. Her mother, being the physical representation, and the burning hatred she embodied for her becoming the flame itself. Essentially turning the scenario into a battle to quell and settle that rage, extinguishing it and finally being free of the flames of anger. Connor sat down, not being effected by the battle at hand, folding his legs, and folding his arms across his chest, as he tilted his head.

Connor: This ought to be interesting.

The woman extends her hand and begins to send, a massive 30 foot wave of flame towards the girl. Because of the essence, this flame did not adhere to the normal properties of mortal flame, meaning it couldn’t be extinguished by snuffing it out or using water. Perhaps by containment or other evasive means, however should Syl avoid or somehow shield herself from this savage assault, the woman would’ve begun raising her hand and sending massive column after column of flaming pillars at  her until it singed her defenses or until Syl decided to take the offensive.

Syl shook her head as her 'mother' asked her for a hug. Scoffing, she looked up at the ceature and narrowed her eyes. Clapping it's hands together, it caused a temor  to follow. Staggering momenarilty Syl had to steady herself. Burning colums of flame grew up from the floor all down the hallway, as far as anyone could see.  As the cloums of flame closed in on Syl she dove out the way and quickly rolled back to her feet. As she stood up a 30-foot wall of flame was making it's way towards her. She quickly raised her hand out infront of her. A wave of small black locusts bugs flew out from her sleeve and into the flames, effectively creating a wall between her and the flames. Syl took a step forward forcing more bugs out of her body and into the wall eventually they'd overtake the wall and engulf the flames forcing them back, then they' made thier way over to Syl's mother attempting to surround her in  cloud of buzzing locusts. As the swarmed arounf her they'd began to swirl violently around her. As the more violent the bugs got they'd begin biting at the apprition ripping small peices of 'flesh' off of it.

Syl: "Mmmph..." she sighed as Heba looked at her. Syl looked at Heba and nodded.

 Raising her hand over her head, a snigle rose petal appeared. Syl gripped the rose petal tightly between her thumb and index finger, then she blew softly on the petal. As Syl's breath touched the petal more petals began to take form.  The rose petals floated over to the swirl of bugs, and began swirling around them, the rose petals would be sharp was razor blades. This is executed via a whirlwind of razor-sharp rose petals swirling around the enemy. The petals attack and rip them to shreds.

Heba: "No match." The Oni sneered and watched as 'mother' was engulfed in a whirlwind of rose petals and locusts.

\_The mother watched as  the locus began to flow from the girls body, coating the walls and her flames in their swarm. She continued spewing flames from her hands but they were no match! She was over taken! Moving her thin arms and swatting away as many as she could but failing each time. By the time the rose pedals began to reach her, she could feel the blossoms cutting her skin open and she let out a loud shriek that sounded like it was drowning\_

Connor: -claps- Woohoo! Job well done! She’s done right?

Washi: Far from it.

Connor: Eh?

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czw-vDr9k-o&index=47&list=PLYNBny7IRlVm1xHhYq5qHlNSsKkocXSF2 )\_Just as soon as he spoke, the white space surrounding them would’ve made a very loud and very audible cracking noise. The cracks began to spread everywhere rapidly, one after another and as they did soon enough the cracks would’ve broken! The sound of shattered glass falling form place and suddenly the three of them would’ve been floating in what seemed like…space. \_

*\_Syl and Heba’s bodies would’ve been glowing almost as if they were ghost, and so would connor and washi’s. Connor looked around; still sitting in the same position he was in. Washi rubbed his chin, and then removed his sunglasses to take a look around.\_*

Washi: Seems the essence is going for a do or die scenario. Must be able to see Syl’s massive power.

Connor: That explains everything. The booty is filled with bugs, 30 bucks says it’s true.

*\_As the space revealed itself a massive figure began to rise up form it’s depths! The figure was made of fire and brimstone, and it was so big, it would’ve completely dwarfed the planet earth had it been there! It’s massive fame hovering and staring down at Syl, as the essence within took on all of its power to shape this form, and prepare to incinerate her.\_*

Transformed Mother: -the voice boomed with the sound of 1,000 thunderclaps- You’re a monster child…I rue the day I ever spit you from my womb. It would only be fair that I as your mother be the one to END YOUR PATHETIC LIFE, YOU WASTE OF LAB RESOURCES!!!!

*\_Mother raised her massive overly large hand and as she did, bright red circles would’ve began forming in the sky and as they did the would’ve began raining down bright red meteors! Giant bright red rocks falling in the hundreds towards Syl and Heba! The massive balls of fire were at least the size of a small moon as they all herded towards her while seemingly slow, were actually moving at a break neck pace.\_*

*\_If even one of these hit, they’d shatter every non physical bone in her body and send her spiraling downwards into the dark depths of her own mind, potentially obliterating her and Heba at the same time. However the mother’s opposite hand would’ve been by her side, with a small black orb forming itself in the center of her palm, as she waited to see her daughters true potential\_*

## III

Syl and Heba simultaneously smirked as they watched what they both assumed to be her being ripped to shreds. Syl kept a ring of the locusts around her body in a tight ring in case she needed to react quickly. Syl stood up and pushed a few stray strands of hair out of her face, tucking them behind her ear. Syl watched the mass that was her bugs, petals and her 'mother' writhe and move as she let out a shriek that sound as if she was dying. Syl didn't notice it at first until she heard loud cracking looking around large cracks began to form in the white space. As they headed towards Syl she began backing away from them, until they were too fast for her to keep backing away from, Syl had prepared herself to fall but she didn't.

Looking around she saw that she was standing in what seemed like...space. She looked at the extremely large distance between her and the black mass. Syl watched in horror as a colossal being of literal hell rose up in front of her. She could barely comprehend it's size, she paled and Heba put a hand on her shoulder somewhat assuring her host. Syl nodded and wasted no time in pushing her chi into her legs and pushing herself forward. As she flew along the ground, the voice of her 'mother' startled her and forced her to slow down slightly but Syl froze when she heard what she was saying.

You’re a monster child…I rue the day I ever spit you from my womb. It would only be fair that I as your mother be the one to END YOUR PATHETIC LIFE, YOU WASTE OF LAB RESOURCES!!!!

Syl: "You're wrong. Im not..." Syl denied the accusation but she completely stopped and looked at the void below them. However she didn't sound too convinced herself.

Heba: " Syl...do not hesitate. Or I will not hesitate to take your mind and body." The oni threatened spurring Syl into action.

Syl: "Alright Heba, Im sorry." The snake oni nodded once and Syl gazed upon her mother again and saw from the sky behind her fell meteors. Syl looked back at Connor panic written on her face and looked back at her mother and then at Heba who still hadn't left her side during the fight. "Syl her hand..." Syl nodded and from her right sleeve came a whip of thorns. She gripped the whip tightly and it pulsated with Syl's and Heba's combined chi. Taking a breath Syl forced iridescent dragonfly wings, just about 6 feet in lenght to form on her back. As the wings began vibrate they lifted Syl off the ground and she flew into the meteor shower.

As the flew towards the moon Heba's voice sounded in her head. "This is your mind Syl. Remember that." Syl nodded and threw her hand forward and the whip flew out in front of her. The whip flew towards the closest meteor and as soon as it made contact with it, vines exploded out from the tip and engulfed the large rock turning Syl's whip into a makeshift ball and chain. As thorns extended from the now vined meteor Syl stopped flying and pulled her arm back causing the whip to go completely taut for a split second before yanking the meteor out of it's intended path. As the meteor was yanked from it's path it collided with another meteor. Syl soon was using a combination of her control over plants, her chi and basic physics to literally either knock the meteors out of their intended paths. As she swung at the meteors Syl suddenly grew another vine and attached it to the original and using her hips as leverage. Swung her meteor at her mother, aiming right for her head. If the metor landed it should've done major damage to the large apparition. On top of being spiked and swung at all the strength Syl could muster, hopefully it had done SOMETHING to the large manifestation.

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQw\_1T1yJLY&list=PLYNBny7IRlVm1xHhYq5qHlNSsKkocXSF2&index=10 )\_As the mother watched hoping to see Syl fail at attempting to stop her she would indeed see another sight! She spoke about this being her mind and it made her laugh inside and out until she observed her taking hold of one of the meteors, and knocking the other ones out of the way! This angered her as she watched her daughter fight fate, as she then was about to strike at her but was impacted in the head by one of her own attacks! The blow cracked her large rock like skull and sends her head leaning back a bit as she bellowed in pain! She held her head, and the flames she emitted seemed too dim in their glow and a strange aura began to fume from her body\_

Connor: -cups his hands around his mouth to shout out- THIS IS IT! SHE’S WEAKNED FOR A MOMENT! START ABSORBING THE ESSENCE LEAKING OFF OF HER!

Washi: Wow Connor that was very helpful of you.

Connor: I just don’t wanna have to fight her when she’s possessed. That’s gonna be a hassle. A hassle I don’t feel like dealing with right now. Besides I think you low key get a kick out of it when I beat up on your oni siblings.

Washi: I’ve no idea what you’re talking about.

Connor: repressed childhood much?

Washi: Not another word Connor.

\_if syl did as instructed and began trying to absorb the essence of her mother, she would’ve fought for one last retaliation! Raising her head up and reaching her Stoney clutches around Syl’s body! Her grip on her colossal as she’d fight for one more attempt at taking the body she felt belonged to her!\_

Mother: YOU CAN’T WIIIIIIIIN! YOU’RE NOT SUPPOSED TO WIIIIIIIIIN!!!!

\_Her body bursting into flames and heating up by the second, this would be her AND Syls last moment before only one of them emerged as the victor\_

Syl and Heba both smirked in satifaction as the sickening crack of the meteor impacting her skull was heard throughout the space. Syl landed infront of the monstrosity as she began staggering around, some aura like energy now leaking out of her skull. Syl turned to Connor and grinned, but Connor was yelling at her

THIS IS IT! SHE’S WEAKNED FOR A MOMENT! START ABSORBING THE ESSENCE LEAKING OFF OF HER!

Syl nodded and turned quickly to the monster in front of her, taking into the air she began heading over to the monster however this is where Syl made her mistake, by headfor the monster it made it easier for it to grab Syl which it did. Syl yelped in pain as the creature grabbed her and began squeezing her. Syl grit her teeth as she felt the hand slowly compressing around her, causing her body to slowly begin to break. On top of that her body was going up in flames, causing Syl to screech out in pain. As her flesh burned and her bones broke. Syl coughed blood onto the creatures hand as it felt like one of her lungs was peirced, Syl galred up at it and smirked.

Syl: "I win." She said as the stian of blood would've spread, turning from red to black. It was her locsusts; they had been in her blood and they made contact with the monster eating at it's flesh, and the aura coming out of it. If the monster dropped her Syl would land on her feet but her legs would give out from under causing ehr to fall to her knees. As the bugs devoured the creature, Syl would've pushed herself back up and watched as they literally ate it alive.

As Syl watched the bugs would've left nothing behind, and they returned to Syl's body releasing the energy into it. Syl stood up and returned to Connor, and stared at him for a long mintues before she broke out into a large smile and said "That was asstastic." Heba chuckled as Syl stood there.

\_The mother felt confident in seeing her daughter burn and spit up blood upon her skin. This made her laugh with joy until the blood began taking an alternative form! It began morphing into the bugs again!\_

Mother: ?!?

\_She began to let go of Syl, attempting to shake these things off of her as fast as she could but it was no use. Her flame dying out as she could feel them devouring and eating her alive! As this happened, the room began to shift, slowly turning back into the white room and her mother’s form being devoured whole until she was swallowed up. Gone and vanished without a trace. As this happened Syl would’ve now been back in her own body and Connor’s eyes finally would’ve opened once again, revealing them both to be back in the garden of the Tasanagi Dojo. Connor looked up at her standing over him and he blinked a couple of times before hearing  her speak.\_

Syl: "That was asstastic."

Connor:….Imma punch you.

Washi: Sounds like she’s been hanging around Kevin.

Connor:-stands up and stretches- Well congratulations Syl. You’re no longer just a vessel for an Oni. You ARE an Oni. You’ll have to train with your new abilities of course but I’ll always be there to fight you on the off chance you need someone to fight who’s on your level. Now go put some clothes on. If my wife saw me with you she’d kill me. –begins walking off- You’re welcome by the way. Find your path and stick to it.