C- The Money of Soul Fanfic

"What does money truly mean to a person" Sora asks himself as he brushed his shaggy black hair, idly laying down and staring at a white credit card with the image of a skull above of a six pointed star. The Midas card in Higuchi Sora's hand was proof that he was no stranger to Deals; he had been a part of this twisted game for more than a few months and not once had he left the Financial District unless it was for food. He was infatuated with this world, a world where money was beyond material things. He stared at his card and waited for an answer before giving a sigh. "Going to ignore me are you?"

"I'm mad at you?" the card spoke faintly to him. Sora chuckled and moved the card directly onto his lap and swiped in midair, summoning his blue haired and pointed eared white apparition that was his Asset on his him, her light frame caused him no discomfort. Her hair was a crystal ice blue and her outfit was a white gown that nearly matched her white skin, the only thing different about her was her soft red lips and eyes.

"How long are you going to stay mad at me Nyu?" he asked curiously, sitting upright and brushing her left cheek with his right hand. "What troubles you?"

In reaction to his touch she turned away and brushed his hand off. "You need to get out of the Financial District more often, staying here is too unhealthy." Nyu says, her ice blue hair and red eyes staring elsewhere. Sora smiled and patted her head softly, getting her attention on him once again.

"Are you saying you want me to leave you by yourself?" he teased, causing Nyu's white cheeks to turn pink in reaction.

"It's not like we'll be far away." She said in defense, referring to the Midas card that Sora held.

"I'm not all that hungry you know, I don't like going back unless I really need to." Sora says, kissing her forehead. "I can stay here a bit longer… you know how much I hate that world."

The world he once knew he now disowned, desiring only to remain in this new one alongside Nyu; his world of being the son of a powerful politician did not apply to him here. In this world he was no longer Higuchi Sora, just another Entrepreneur ready to fight for not only Midas money, but to keep living in this miracle world called the Financial District. His life before he was a street racer, using his money to buy cars and parts for his dangerous hobby; when Midas came with an offer for a loan he did not turn it down and he entered the Financial District and earned his keep ever since.

He smiled for a bit as Nyu finally gave in to his demands. It occurred to him many times to press his lips on Nyu's for some time, her lips the only part of her body that was warm colored rather than cool and pale skin and yet he restrained himself. He knew it was not abnormal to have an attachment to an asset, but despite the feelings Assets were tools of combat and not actual people. Sora could not help but wonder if his infatuation with Nyu merely physical appearance or if she was more than just a weapon. Just then a chime rang throughout his ear and Sora's smile disappeared, recognizing the bell that he grew to hate since coming to this world.

"Another deal so soon Masakaki?" Sora spat out, disappointed as he lowered his head back to see the ever pale being that pestered him. His pink hair and joyous grin were something he grew to hate with a passion, but he knew he would have no choice but to participate.

"Higuchi san, it is time to go." He says, waving around his brown top hat in his right hand, gesturing him to follow with his ever disgusting grin.

Looking once again at Nyu, Sora touched her cheek once more before swiping his card in the air and returned her back to the card. Standing up on his feet, Sora dusted off his charcoal jeans and black shirt, loosing up the red tie on him. "Who is my opponent?" Sora says with a mighty demand, Masakaki not blinking or shifting his pose.

"Why don't we find out?" Masakaki replies, short and ever to the point. Masakaki enjoyed playing small games when he was on the job, a trait Sora did not feel the same about.

Not having a choice in the matter Sora raises his right hand and flicked his wrist to swipe, in an instant he had jumped to the chosen field of white skyscrapers and buildings. On the other end of the rooftop about 40 paces away was his opponent; a black blazer sitting on his shoulders, covering over his black vest and white buttoned up shirt, this Entre was well dressed for a Deal.

Staring at his opponent he raised his card up in the air, ready to slide the instant the battle began. "So, I take it you're a guild member." Sora asks the gentleman on the other side, his opponents neck long and well kept brown hair swaying slightly in the wind.

"I guess you can say that." He says, extending his right hand away from him, prepared to do the same. Masakaki had already left the scene, leaving the two Entre's for the Deal to open. Just then the cards reacted, a small icon projected from the cards following by a voice. "OPEN DEAL!" The battle had just began, two large orbs far above in the sky clashed together, symbolizing the Entre's money. Sora's was a bit smaller than his foes, a massive orb that could almost envelop his. The deal now open, the timer began on 666 and counted down in seconds.

Summoning Nyu out onto the field, the white gown dressed apparition once again took the stage on the battlefield and the two set out towards their target. "He hasn't summoned his Asset, Nyu Micro 300,000!" Sora yells out, activating the card by flicking his left index finger over the card.

The words "MICRO" were read on the card following the voice that initiated his attack, causing Nyu to extend her right hand towards the opponent and a glowing blue energy began to pulse in reaction to the chant. "ICE HAIL" the voice spoke, just then a hail of ice arrows following the attack aimed directly at the enemy. Sora purposefully intended the arrows to not hit the target; each soccer ball sized pillar shattered into pieces and instantly released a condensed fog that blinded the enemy. His money diminished slightly for not striking but 300,000 Midas was a minor sacrificed for his plan, diminishing another 1000 for Sora to summon a sword of blue energy from his right hand; his years of kendo would serve this battle exceptionally well and rushed in for the strike. Five paces away Nyu yelled out in the distance, her frail voice boomed in his ear like a haunting tune that caused him to react.

"GET AWAY!" she yelled out, in that Instant Sora strafed to the right in the nick of time as a massive blade extended towards him and grazed his right arm. Sora winced from the light pain, but what surprised him more was that the sword his opponent summoned was freakishly long, about 7 feet long with a pulsating crimson color; he came close to losing a substantial amount of money just 8 seconds into the match. His face turned white in reaction as he stood up and backed off from his opponent; the fog diminished and there his opponent stood ever calm with the massive blade in his right hand, barely even moving to initiate his counterattack. His opponent was skilled enough to fight Deals without the need to summon his asset.

"Nyu, Macro 18,000,000!" Sora yelled off, initiating another skill. Nyu's entire chest turned blue, a light gasp escaping her lips as a massive spear exited her chest and began to float in midair.

"[MICRO, MEZO, MACROFLATION CRYO LANCE]" the voice once again boomed, causing Sora to rush for the lance. Retreating a few paces he grabbed the massive crystal blue lance in his right hand and threw the spear up into the air. Immediately after tossing the spear he flicked his Midas card to initiate another attack.

"Micro 300,000" he once again yells, causing Nyu to release her ice hail towards the opponent. Even if he managed to dodge the arrows the impact of the lance would deal a significant blow, causing the crystal core within to erupt around him with ice shards sprouting from the ground. This time each arrow hit their mark, crashing onto his opponent and diminishing the massive orb of money ever slightly. Clenching his hands into a fist he prepared for the final blow, the lance ready to impact onto its target, each second passing. Just when the moment came the lance stopped in place above his opponent, floating midair as another force denied its release.

"DIRECT" the voice boomed while the fog slowly diminishing to reveal a humanoid Asset wearing a dog like mask, its right hand extended upward as it halted the lance. It was clear to Sora that the sides of power weren't in his favor this match, such a high leveled Entre and Asset could not have been able to stop such a powerful Macroflation. Sora could now see the hallowed reaper coming, this Entre was unspeakable death and his asset his tool for battle; all of Sora's hard fought battles meant nothing now if he could not manage to win. This Deal was now a fight for survival one with no chance Sora could manage to win; his best chance would be to hold out for the remainder of the time and lose the Midas money he used up. Quickly surveying the scene Sora fixes his eye on the lance, knowing that its contained area of effect would no longer serve a purpose, he knew well enough the dangers of  the backup plan, the lance's power unleashed could not only injure the opposition but could also put Sora and Nyu in danger. With not much of a choice he turned to Nyu for some comfort before swiping his left hand over his Midas card.

"Nyu, target the lance. Micro 300,000." He finishes, making a mad dash away from his opponent to take cover. Doing as commanded Nyu extended her right hand, all focus directed at the tip of the lance before unleashing the heavy volley of hail. "Now retreat!" he yells once again before the hail crashed onto the tip of the lance, two of the volleys destroyed the outside shell encasing the core while the remainder crash landed directly and caused the ice blue reactor to shatter. In a matter of seconds the contained energy it held was released, unleashing a rain of micro thin ice needles to spread out in a large radius.

Sora and Nyu hid behind the side of the building as the explosion began. Sora himself took a risk on destroying the ice core but in return had produced a powerful shockwave of ice following by micro thin debris that even the asset would not be able to stop every one. Seconds after the explosion Sora looked up to the sky to see his attack had taken a decent toll on his foe, cutting it down to nearly a quarter down. Rather than accept his minor victory Sora did not want to be around for the counter attack, with Nyu following behind the two ran down the 12 story building as fast as they could. The laws of gravity did not apply in this world but physics was hardly something to think about during a Deal. Raising his Midas card once again to prepare for another attack, "Mezoflation 4,000,000." Sora says, swiping his card to initiate the sequence.

"MEZOFLATION, TUNDRA BLIZZARD." Boomed the voice, causing Nyu's entire body to glow in reaction to the chant; the air around the field chilled slowly, snow raining down onto the field before it picked up into a violent storm. The snow would not only limit the enemy assets movement but send out dozens of drones to give Nyu's vision around the area. Her body once again calming the two quickly dash to find shelter from the blizzard and plan their next move.

"What is the distance between the asset and the Entre?" Sora asks, waiting for positive feedback from Nyu. Her eyes closed she used the falling snow to survey the area, calculating her response.

"Entre is 200 meters away from our position and 300 meters above, the asset is heading for our position and is 150 meters and incoming." She finishes. Sora thinks it through, taking the Midas card out to check the score and time remaining.

"We have six minutes left before the match is over. If we can lure the asset away from the Entre as far as possible it should give me enough time to deal a damaging blow and help recover our lost money without the assets interference." He says, staring at the direction that they'd previously been. "I'm heading out, distract the asset and do your best to not take much damage." He says, running towards the 12 story building, his heart ever increasing with Nyu's forecast. He ran as fast as he could in the snow, using only his memory to guide him through the blizzard. Suddenly stopping his ears heard the enemy asset coming to his direction, his body nervous that the hair on his neck stood, forcibly shutting his eyes to listen in on the asset, his mind screaming to get out of the way.

Through luck, the asset avoided him just barely, passing Sora's still body a few steps away and towards Nyu. With the combat between assets soon to begin Sora pushed on as fast as he could, his hot breath barely visible. Reaching the destined building Sora once again ran up the 12 story building, each floor he passed got him a step closer to his target, slowly counting down the floors. On the 10th floor he raised his Midas card in the air and soon passing the 11th he swiped to prepare his bladed weapon onto his right hand, the glowing blue sword ready to use. Soon the final floor came and with all his strength he jumped past the final floor and began his assault. The battle in the distance ensured him that Nyu was holding out and with surprise on his side he brought down the blue sword onto his opponent, inches away from the body for a perfect cut, his mind screamed success a bit too early. Rising from behind the Entre a petite small frame stopped him in his tracks, or rather his muscles refused him from cutting down directly on the figure. There Nyu stood in front of him with her blue hair and red eyes fixed on him, causing his instinct to stop, a sorry mistake as the enemy Entre's sword reached its mark, punching through his lower chest and out his back.

With the pain settling in he made out the assets figure, realizing that the one before him had short ice blue hair rather than long and instead of a white gown this one had a white dress that reached to her upper knee cap. He was fooled by appearance if only for an instant, but it was enough time for his opponent to do significant damage to him. Sora closed his eyes, knowing it would be game over in the next second.

"Time Out." The voice boomed. Standing idly, Sora opened his eyes and found himself recovered. "Deal Closed" the voice once again finished, relief washed over Sora's frightened body and he collapsed on the ground with shock followed by a light laugh. He was seconds away from losing it all and being banished from the Financial District. He had lost over half of his money, but he had survived to continue to stay by Nyu's loving side.

"That was quite the match." The man spoke, facing Sora's collapsed body and extending a hand. "I did not take into consideration of a surprise attack." He finished with a smile on his face for a satisfying match.

Taking his hand, Sora slowly got up with his Midas card clenched in his left hand. "T… Thank you." He said shyly. Letting go of his opponents hand, Sora stepped back to examine his chest to find that he was not bleeding.

"You could have pulled off that blow and decrease the amount lost by 20%; what made you stop?" the Entre asked curiously.

Sora turned slightly red from the question, turning his head away from the man. Taking his time he searched for careful words to express that chilling moment. "She looked like my asset for a moment…" he spoke honestly, though withholding most of the event. The man gave a chuckle in response and brushed his brown hair back.

"I see… that would be quite puzzling. I noticed your Asset does look like Q." he finished, swiping his card to return his two assets back into his card.

Doing the same, Sora swiped his card and called Nyu back to his side and attempted to swipe again before being stopped. "But…" the man continued on, his eyes fixed on him, "an asset is nothing more than a tool for Deals." Frozen for a moment, the words he spoke had truth behind it, a fact Sora himself knew as well. He lowered the card, Nyu still by his side and glared back with pride burning in his chest.

"That may be so… but… she isn't just a tool." Sora says, gripping Nyu's cool soft right hands with his left. "She's my partner."

With a small reaction, his opponent smiled and returned his card into his pocket and walked away slowly before halting a few paces away. "The name is Mikuni…" the Entre spoke, his back facing Sora. "Souichirou Mikuni."

With the battle over, Sora let Nyu's hand go and stroked the back of his head with a bit of embarrassment; Nyu stood the entire time during the conversation and he took a moment to return to his composure. "… I hope that didn't offend you; about you being my partner."

Rather than hearing an objection from Nyu, she instead gripped his left sleeve lightly with her right index and thumb, giving a light tug. "… I don't mind… I rather enjoyed hearing you say that." She spoke, her soft voice settling in his mind and eased his soul.

Sora turned his head in her direction he saw Nyu jump up for a moment and quickly gaze away in embarrassment. Witnessing this he chuckled lightly in reaction, pushing the thought of the previous battle and pulled her closer to him. "I think I'll take you up on that offer… about heading back home for a few days." He said, causing Nyu's pointed ears to twitch lightly in response. He had lost his first Deal, so he would not know the affects it would have on reality when he returned, what the collateral would be for his failure. Would his family lose money or would he lose his collection of cars; he was not sure of what outcome his loss would have. He was curious about this fact as well but his main reason for leaving would be to grant Nyu's wish; to leave the Financial District and spend time with his family and friends. In reaction to his words, Nyu rested her head on his left shoulder, enjoying the warmth of his body against her cool skin. Nyu was an asset for Sora's own use in Deals; but she was also his partner and if she allowed him to her lover, he would have it no other way.