Split Soul: Reluctant by Nurture

By Christian Tackett and Christian Sandino

Soku Akiyama, a teenager born into a magical world, finds himself fighting with his past when its demons show their ugly heads. He and his closest friends attend an academy that specializes in the study of the Arcane. Though it isn't long before they find themselves unwittingly in over their heads when dark forces conspire against them. Soku is forced to choose to either accept who he is, or continue to run from his past, accepting whatever consequences that follow.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Aug 13, 2021
• ISBN: 9781304330710

Book preview

Copyright © 2021 Christian Tackett

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, write to the publisher, addressed Attention: Permissions Coordinator, at the address below.

ISBN:

978-1-304-33071-0

Any references to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. Names, characters, and places are products of the author’s imagination.

Front cover image by Christian Sandino

Book design by Kanmi Afolabi, Christian Sandino, and Christian Tackett

First printing edition 2021

Goodness is, so to speak, itself: badness is only spoiled goodness. And there must be something good First before it can be spoiled. - C.S. Lewis, from his book Mere Christianity

For Tj and Ryan Tupta

Ryan once told me that creativity is like a creature that you feed, and it only grows larger." This is the creature he fed.

      It's a shame, to see you like this, hurts me in more ways than you could know. Tadeo lamented at the sight of his brother. His eyes fixed on him with great sadness. To watch him as he was thrown to his knees with rope binding his bloodied hands together, a strange feeling swelled up within him; one of brotherly fondness, but also knowing that this was a fate well-deserved. A man, once, turned to a life of treasonable acts not worthy of forgiveness. He was escorted in by heavenly angels, who were armed to the teeth and carrying swords of golden fire.  His hair drooped down and veiled his face - veiled the shameful, fearful expression he wore. He turned his attention downward, gazing at the stained glass floor that reflected the light of the cosmos above and beneath them. The heavens were a beautiful and yet terrifyingly unfamiliar place to Jirou, who was kneeled before the Lord of all it himself. A living god, who looked down at him, a hellish blight in his created universe. He leaned forward in his chair, his interest piqued by the curious events that brought him here.

"I tasked you with finding someone suitable for your joint reincarnation, and you chose him?" The Celestial Lord gestured his hands toward Jirou.

Well, given the situation. I found no one else more suitable than him, said Tadeo, who was on the verge of tears just staring at Jirou. There were memories between the two that weren't just bad. Memories Tadeo often regarded kindly to as the best times in his life and after, Five hundred years is certainly enough time to bury a grudge. Tadeo continued.

Clearly. The Celestial Lord stood up from his chair, Jirou-

Save it! Jirou interrupted. If his spiritual body had contained blood, it would've been boiling at volcanic temperatures, I'd rather stay in hell than return to the planet with him!

Those words shocked Tadeo, stunned him to stillness, simply because he had never thought his forgiveness would've been met by his brother so harshly. It angered him to the point of shaking, as his fists clenched tightly enough to change color.

Jirou, I-! Tadeo shouted, but was stopped by the wave of the Celestial Lord's hand. With a simple motion, he allowed Tadeo to know who would be handling this.

Tadeo. The Celestial Lord said with authority. It stopped Tadeo in his tracks to consider where he was. Tadeo found himself filled with embarrassment.

I apologize, my Lord.  Tadeo said in shame.

Well I'm not so sorry! Jirou lunged forward, the rope that tied his hands together snapping as he lunged like a feral beast pouncing on its prey. He brandished his overgrown nails as claws, ready to attack Tadeo.

The Celestial Lord raised a hand and stopped Jirou in his place, demonstrating his godly powers. With a flick of his wrist, he telekinetically threw Jirou to the ground, showing him his place. Jirou jumped to his feet to defend himself, but the Celestial Lord had teleported from his throne to place himself in front of Jirou. Using his powers again, he brought Jirou to his knees once more, where he knelt at the feet of the Celestial Lord.

The world is in chaos, Jirou.  A chaos you have brought upon it. A disordered mess of war, famine, plague, and all kinds of abuse of powers. Yet you do not wish to change it? Even when presented with the chance to?

No. Denied Jirou by knee jerk reaction, there was guilt that consumed his insides even now. He was fruitless in hiding it before the Celestial Lord.

Your thoughts betray your words. I hear two different things. Said the Celestial Lord perceptively.

I thought you were a god! Fix your own planet! Jirou, again, fruitlessly objected.

"You dare question the creator of the cosmos and of the earth? My throne is set upon the stars, my kingdom is a universe, I have carved depths below that of which you could not see. 'Fix my own planet?' I am. This is my chosen method." Replied the Celestial Lord in an amused tone,, with no hesitation. He was more than two steps ahead of the conversation, yet it was those words that stuck to Jirou. He was struck down verbally, and the words said burned to the back of his mind.

Fine. He eventually audibly relented knowing this would continue to go nowhere if they were to keep arguing. There was no deliberation or protest from him past that point, Lets go fix your stupid planet.

Dawn, the light of the world slowly, yet always, pierced through the darkness to begin the new day. The light itself always rose over the horizon, no matter how dark the previous night, to triumphantly begin the day. It's spectacular rays shone upon the glistening sea and onto the island. Streaming and coruscating off the water like a cavalcade of cavalry cascading carelessly to the shore. Charging through a hole in his pulled curtain, and into the room in which he resides.

Soku was fast asleep in his single person dorm room. His eyes slowly peered open as he was awakened by the deadeye precision of the sun. A single beam of light from millions of miles away was sent for this. To take aim and fire at him, ruining his morning before it even started.

He rubbed his tired eyes, stretched, yawned, whatever else the nine yards included, all before he saw his alarm clock. It had failed to awaken him at the time he set at 7:00 am, instead, it was 7:30. This stirred him into an immediate panic. He shoved his alarm clock off the table, leapt from his bed, and sprinted around his dorm room in a frenzy, yelling things not suitable for the ears of minors. He threw on whatever clothes lay about haphazardly on his cluttered floor in record time, not giving thought to if his outfit matched.

He gathered up his things and tucked away all that was necessary for his day into a backpack before snatching up a wooden sword from the ground and strapping it to his back. He fled from the boys dormitory as if it were on fire afterwards. It wasn't too far from the actual academy as he was already on the campus. He briskly made his way past the four way intersection, north faced the academy, east led to the boys' dormitory, west to the girls', and south was to town. Before the academy lay a bridge over a river that connected the roads from the dorms to the academy. There were two other teenage boys impatiently waiting there for their friend who they soon saw in full charge to the bridge.

Soku gasped for air like he had been underwater long enough to be drowning once he got to them. He was hunched over holding his aching side as his two friends glared at him, half expecting an apology, or for him to fall over and die from exhaustion.

You okay there buddy? Soku's friend Shun prodded. His question didn't come paired with genuine concern. Soku wasn't necessarily late to any class yet, but the three met up early everyday so they could eat breakfast before the day started. With the ritualistic schedule broken exclusively by Soku on almost a weekly basis.

Peachy. Soku replied sarcastically, and kept gasping for air.

Dude, if you slip up again, Sable's gonna, like, flip a switch behind his desk, and drop you into a monster pit or something. Joked Isamu, who Soku was intentionally standing in the shade Isamu provided with his height.

Soku stared up at Isamu incredulously and cocked his tongue, readying it for a quip, "Alright Return of the Jedi, my teacher isn't a space gangster. He's just a jerk."

Isamu gave a quick, approving chuckle to Soku’s joke before he laid his hand on Soku’s shoulder and shook him with minimal effort. His oversized hands looked as if they had more muscles on them than Soku contained in his entire body, So quick with the references today. Glad to see you’re awake enough to at least do that.

Always. Soku replied.

The three began their miniature journey to the academy. The academy itself sat at the base of a mountain that governed the small island nation. It overlooked the only town on the island that the three boys had called home. It's maritime winds brought the constant smell of salt that inspired a homely feeling amongst them. No matter in which direction you looked, you either saw the water, the town, or the island's only mountain.

Isamu took a deep breath of the salty air as he peered around the courtyard, thoroughly inspecting every single member of the opposite sex in his line of sight. Something he did without the slightest notion of discretion.

You know it's sparring day. Said Shun, trying not to get distracted by Isamu, who was actively trying to get Shun to look at some girl who was trying to enjoy her day without Isamu interrupting it.

Yeah, yeah. Soku sighed, his breath became a  plume of white vapor in the chilly November air.

Aren't you still sitting at zero wins this semester?

I'm aware Shun, monster pit.

Just sayin' man, I know we joke about Sable, but he's a pretty intense dude.

Please don't remind me. Said Soku who pinched the bridge of his nose and tried to change the subject with a complaint, Ugh, I need coffee.

Get some. Said Shun.

No time.

There's that vending machine.

That only serves bottled sugary garbage. I need something that's three syllables or less that wants to punch me in the face.

You know, I could do that for free, and my name is two syllables. Isamu headbutted into their conversation.

"Your name is three syllables, genius."

Isamu mouthed his own name slowly as he counted on his fingers, That still meets your criteria, and the offer still stands.

Sure, just do it hard enough to injure me so I can skip.

The three went their separate ways once inside. Soku departed upstairs to the dreaded classroom of Benjamin Sable, as the other two stayed on the first floor for the first half of the day. Soku passed inside the classroom like a ghost, drawing no one’s attention. He sometimes thought he’d be better off as a ghost, but in truth, he was already hard to notice. Half of the class stood what felt like a head taller than he, and it had been that way since elementary school.

Soku's head hit his arm and firmly attached itself to his desk as he nearly drifted off in Sable's class. He was lecturing on something Soku had briefly heard before. Enough so he didn't even think he needed to listen. Sable noticed this however, and without skipping a beat in his lecture, crept up on the sleepy Soku, stole a wooden sword from another student and smacked it against Soku's desk. The thunderous crack shook him awake, he jolted his head up and fixed his eyes on Sable.

Sleep well last night, Akiyama? Sable asked passive aggressively. Soku shook his head and retreated his eyes down towards his desk. Sable went back to his lecture as if nothing had happened, but every now and then, Soku could feel Sable’s angry eyes stinging the back of his head. The hour passed in excruciating boredom as he tried to focus, but it was an uphill battle. The things he infrequently tuned in for, were things he already knew. After what felt like an eternity later, the electronic bell hummed through one of the speakers and the class was dismissed, but Sable held Soku back by his shoulder. Most students who suffer the wrath of Sable mention the fear they felt and the harshness of his punishments, but Soku only felt mildly annoyed.

Even his reprimand was boring to Soku. Who wasn't paying attention even then.

Are you even listening? Is where Soku ironically tuned in. He didn't respond again. Just figured Sable already knew the answer. He relented, Just go, before you're late for wherever you're going next.

Soku snatched up his things and left for his second hour. The halls were a strange cocktail of architecture of many different origins and cultures in their world. Some were oriental in nature and design, with their paper walls and sliding doors that lead to gyms where pupils of other masters were sparring. One could hear the muted clack of their wooden weapons through the walls with a fair amount of ease. Others had the cold brick walls that could only come from a west origin that led to other classes.

Soku made his way down the stairs at the pace of a light jog since he was running out of time thanks to Sable holding him three minutes past the bell.

He took off his bag and wooden sword and left it on the ground. He slumped into his chair the moment the bell rang. There were movie posters lining the walls in the room and different posters that were informative as to good film-making. Soku picked himself up and got out a notebook, attentive to the every word of his teacher in here. His notes were detailed, noting various camera angles of the films that were put on for him to analyze that morning.

He paused briefly to stare up at the mountain from the window. He couldn't see the top, but they all knew what was atop the mountain named after the leader of their island.

Kai Hideyoka was his name. A name that rent through the air with either admiration or total loathing depending on who you were. Everyone had seen him quite a few times yet there was always a perplexing nature to who he was and how he lived. Even Soku, who went about his daily life, stuck going through his daily motions, couldn't deny that he regularly pondered who Kai was, and how he went about his life. Everyone knew only a handful of things about Kai.

Noon ambushed Soku, meaning it was lunch hour for most of the academy students. Rather than eat in the lunchroom, Soku, Shun, and Isamu ate on the bridge to the academy where they had met up in the morning. Soku couldn't remember when the conversation started, or if he simply got dragged into it, but Isamu had asked him a question he could only describe as intrusive.

Soku, when you gonna get yourself a new girlfriend?

What? Soku, as usual, wasn't paying attention until that part, but of course it was Isamu who brought up the question. He did that often.

You heard me, you've been single since- what's her name?  Lynn? Min?

Rin, and it hasn't even been that long since she moved back to the mainland. Said Soku.

Yeah man, can't you see he's emotionally distraught over this? Said Shun sarcastically, he knew Soku had long since recovered from that. He was only using her as an excuse to get Soku out of the conversation.

C'mon! You can't be that torn up about it still. Said Isamu, crossing his arms and tossing a small pretzel into the air and catching it in his mouth, Besides, it's not like girls are falling from the sky, Soku. We're in the academy, got two more years before responsibility sets in. Said Isamu just as her shadow crossed his face. A girl had leapt from the mountain top and landed unscathed, like a superhero in an action movie.

Isamu and Shun both shot a look at Soku.

I stand corrected. Said Isamu.

No! Shouted Soku, immediately recognizing her, the prodigy, and the great grand niece to Kai, Definitely not! Soku protested.

I dunno man! Cherry red hair, works out like everyday, she's got it man. Isamu's face slowly morphed into a grimy, sleazy, grin.

Nope! Said Soku, who already pulled his next movie quote from his mental encyclopedia of western-made movies of all kinds and genres, "'The stars are not in position for this tribute!'"

Shun chuckled, recognizing the quote immediately, 'The stars! Can't do it! Not today!'

Isamu shrugged indifferently, Fine, fine, be sad and lonely. Your choice. He tossed another pretzel in the air and caught it, but this time, he choked and coughed it out.

Smooth move. Soku rolled his eyes and went back to his lunch.

Lunch felt over as soon as it started. Soku had one more class before he would make the dreadful walk to Sable's gym with his wooden sword in hand. That last class seemed to blur dreadfully by, only to find himself in Sable's gym. Most of the students there stretched or swung their weapons around as a warm up. Soku sat up against the wall and simply watched. He didn't care enough to join them.

At the call of his voice, Sable commanded the room. They all sat up against the wall and most eagerly awaited Sable to tell them what they were to do next.

Akiyama! Noba! You two are up first!

Soku watched in silent, expressionless horror as his nightmare of an opponent stood up. Soku often thought Kitashi Noba was a walking phantom who crawled out of a horror movie to strike fear into the hearts of anyone who had to spar him. Soku had once joked with Shun that horror movie murderers lie awake at night terrified of crossing paths with Kitashi.

Soku gulped as he looked up at the dual bladed Goliath, and cursed his own genetic makeup for reaching so far down into the gene pool and making him so unintimidating. This wouldn't be just a one sided fight, it would be a completely one sided slaughter.

Sable called it, his voice booming through the room, Begin!

Soku raised his wooden sword and backed up slowly, trying to put distance between Kitashi and himself. He waited for Kitashi to furiously strike at him with his twin wooden swords so he could roll out of the way and then knowingly waste his opportunity to strike. He was too terrified to attack Kitashi head on.

Kitashi spun around and powerfully struck again. Soku blocked it, but the brute strength of Kitashi caused Soku to slide back, his shoes had squeaked against the wooden floor. Kitashi pressed his assault, his wrath was barbarous, predatory, craving victory over his weaker prey. While Soku was meekly attempting to stay on his own feet. Once Kitashi struck Soku's sword out of his hand, Soku unveiled his powers. His dominion over the shadows themselves. The floorboards beneath him discolored to an inky black as he sunk into his dark puddle that obstructed all light, and warped away from Kitashi. Soku resurfaced from a different puddle close to where his sword was thrown by Kitashi's strike.

Sable watched with a heightened anticipation as Soku seemed to be putting forth an effort for once. In truth, he wasn't willing to suffer a concussion from a violent blow delivered by Kitashi's merciless wooden blades.

Soku raised his sword again, and kept his distance. Kitashi leered at Soku, annoyed by his evasive tactics. He was ready to put a swift end to this. So Kitashi raised his twin blades once more and rushed Soku with a flurry of attacks until he threw Soku off his posture, staggering him. Soku knew what came next, from the brief panic and drop in his stomach from his foot failing to make the next step backwards to avoid the incoming attack.

Kitashi, without hesitation, nor even a shred of basic consideration or empathy: struck Soku in the face and watched him topple over like a building after being hit with a wrecking ball. The brief shock to his nervous system left Soku staring up at the ceiling wondering where he even was for a moment. Sable called the point. It all sounded like mumbling to Soku, until a brief moment of clarity cut through his mental fog in the form of Sable's hand on his shoulder, along with his solemn, scalding glare. Packaged neatly along with it came the remorseless words, See me after class.

Soku barely recognized he was even being talked to. He knew this routine by heart however. He made his way to the nurse's office. She was sitting at her desk typing away at the computer. Her acrylic nails tapping percussively away on the keyboard. She knew it was Soku the moment he came in.

"Lose again?'

Yeah.

She sighed, and gestured for him to come over so she could examine the wound on his face. The massive black bruise that started just before his ear had crawled its way to be underneath his eye. He looked like a professional baseball pitcher had thrown a fastball at the side of his head. She was surprised to note that his skull didn't appear fractured, but the mild concussion was certainly there.

Kitashi? The nurse assumed bluntly.

Kitashi. Soku nodded.

This certainly seems like his work alright. I'm becoming familiar with him. You know, someone should really talk to Sable about him. It's becoming such a regular thing, some poor kid is in here who is one of Sable's pupils with Kitashi's signature on the side of their head.

"I'm surprised he hasn't figured out how to create a 'K'  shaped bruise yet." Soku quipped, even though he could barely recall his own name.

At least you still got your jokes. You can rest up here, I'll get you an ice pack. Said the nurse, Want me to see if I can get a movie in here for ya? I can call your film teacher- Mrs. Scott right? I'm sure she'd be more than accommodating.

Soku was pleased to hear the name of his film teacher, but ultimately, and reluctantly refused, While appreciated, that’s gonna have to be a no. Sable wanted to talk to me after-

Then he can do it here! The nurse interjected, If he wants to speak to you so badly he can walk himself down here and he can explain to me why he lets this happen on his own watch.

I'll handle it, I'll just take the ice pack, thank you. Soku spoke slowly, sluggishly, his head pounding like a drum. She looked at him with unsure eyes as she handed him the ice pack, she was sincerely hoping to give Sable a piece of her mind.

You're sure about this?

No. Said Soku, But he'd probably just make his class a personal ring of hell for me if I give him a reason to, so.

The nurse surrendered. She leaned back in her chair and sighed, Fine, but if one more student comes in here-

Yeah-yeah. Soku nodded off and left. He knew she wasn't making an empty threat. He knew someone would end up talking to Sable, but he knew it'd probably only push him to be only more punishing.

Soku returned to Sable's room with his head hung in defeat. He saw Valerie outside of Sable's room, she was waiting outside clearly per his request. His best student, two years ahead of Soku. She turned to look at him to inspect that it was indeed Soku, but then squarely turned her eyes from him. He felt bad for Valerie, he was cutting into her reserved time with Sable to workshop techniques. He also couldn't understand for the life of him, why Valerie would want to spend more time with Sable, or spend time with Sable at all. He entered, and by routine, he pulled a chair up to Sable's desk and slumped into it, practically retreating before conversation had even begun.

I'm getting tired of this. Aren't you? Was how Sable started, his words charged out like it was a horse rushing out of the start gate in a race.

You put me up against Kitashi. Soku said.

I at least expected you to try! It shouldn't matter who your foe is! You didn't even swing at him once!

Soku didn't respond, his concussed words would only fall to Sable's deaf ears. He instead, merely kept his ice pack pressed firmly to his bruise. The lack of a response maddened Sable,