Difference between revisions of "The Story of Yeling Mah Pt. II"

Latest revision as of 22:01, 6 January 2022

Transplant vs. Tidalflame

"DANNY."

The two of us faced each other off, at the highest peak of Fa Shan.

"You came alone."

Danny turned around, revealing his fully restored body. It was as if I went in a time machine, seeing Danny again, before I unlocked Hinokami.

Before I became a mass murderer as the Tidalflame.

"I'm here to kill you." I snarled, as my hands burst into blue and purple flame.

Danny narrowed his eyes.

"Why? Why do you wanna kill me so badly, Yeling. You wanted to kill me once. You killed everybody I loved, all my friends in New Ulysses. You slaughtered them all. Now that I'm back, it's like nothing has changed. No remorse. You just wanna kill me again."

I aimed my palm at my old friend's face.

"You're right. I feel absolutely no remorse. To the man who betrayed my trust."

"So here we are again. To tell you the truth, Yeling, I never understood why it came down to this."

"You know exactly why. Invalidating my struggles like that. You were the only person I had to talk to. The only person in this world who I had. And you squashed my trust. Just like that."

"And you think you're the only one gets to feel this way, Yeling? I was in a bad spot myself too."

"So now you're making excuses?!"

"All I meant to say, and what I'm saying now, is that you're not the only person who is struggling."

"SHUT UP."

Level 1 Hinokami Stage Two: COBALT ASSIMILATION

My body transformed, the horn sprouting from my head as my flames became so violent, the clouds parted, the sky filled with a blue and purple glow.

"Every time I see your face, I get so mad. Every time. I was so vulnerable, Danny. Why couldn't you understand that? You said it yourself. I was among one of the few people you had. And you were the only person I ever opened up to. But every time. I opened up to you. You would squash it. But that day, when I felt like ending it all, and nearly did. It was you who saved me. So WHY. WHY DID YOU SAY THESE THINGS TO ME?!"

I blasted forward.

DEVIL'S STARSHOOTER

I slammed my fist into Danny's face, as he flew backwards. His flaming body smashing into another mountain, the snow vaporizing all around him.

But I wasn't going to let him off easy. I flew to his location and slammed my fist into his face again.

Over and over again, as the flames and heat of my Stage Two Hinokami swirled like a violent tornado of fire.

"ENOUGH." Danny caught my fist, his body regenerating. He seethed, red veins crackling at his arm.

"Ever since that day. You never gave me a chance to talk. To speak my side. It's always about you you you. Do you really think I was just going to let you kill me, after what you did to Duncan? To all of our classmates? I can't even die in peace. That's already bad enough. My body is a rotting corpse. But now, you're trying to kill me again."

Danny crushed my hand as I yelled in pain, going Intangible. But Danny threw his palm at me, releasing a giant torrent of wind that smashed my essence away.

"Not good!" I yelped.

If I flew into a mountain while Intangible and regained shape, I would die for sure.

I regained my shape as fast as I could, but Danny was right above me. His left arm was completely broken, as he charged up another Amplification strike with his right.

"I have every right to speak my mind too. And if you're not gonna listen, Yeling, then I'm going to force it on you."

DEVIL'S HURRICANE

I opened my arms, letting loose a massive torrent of flames, driving Danny back.

Danny landed on the rocks. The snow billowing and storm slightly obstructing my view. But my flaming aura was causing the snow to vaporize on contact.

"It was wrong of me to say these things. Sure. But you can't put so much pressure on me. How the hell was I supposed to do something that could light you up like a fuse?! Do you know how scary it is. How terrifying it is, knowing that your best friend could have died any day. And it could have been your fault. I'm not the smartest person in the world, Yeling. You can't expect me to say the perfect thing! BECAUSE I'M NOT PERFECT."

Danny put a hand on his chest.

"Every night. I was terrified. I was terrified of how to talk to you. Because while I saw you as one of my closest friends, sometimes, I wished it wasn't up to me to be in the place that I was. So much responsibility and pressure on me that I never asked for. Knowing full well that the slightest slip up that I say could lead to something I regret because my best friend was mentally ill."

Danny's hand dropped to his side.

"Yeling. All I ever did was try to help you. But sometimes, I didn't know what to say. How can I make him feel better? Maybe if he knew we were all suffering, it would make his pain feel less significant. But day after day, it was like everything I did to try to help you MADE IT WORSE. The pressure buildup. My family back in China pressuring me to return home. All this pressure. I can't be the perfect friend, Yeling. I'm human. So on that day, it was too much."

I clenched my teeth, tears running down my face.

I wanted to find a reason to hate him.

But after hearing that.

Was any of my anger justified?

"Dan-"

"I wish we could have had this conversation sooner. Rather than now. But..."

Danny reached behind his back, and pulled out two large weapons. A large sword, and a large axe.

"It's too late. You did the one thing that can't be undone. You killed people, Yeling. You became a murderer. And you killed me. And now, that I've been revived from the dead, I also killed. So now we're just two irredeemable killers."

Danny sparked with blue light, summoning Guardian's powers as he closed the distance.

"The only thing that's on my mind, is vengeance. For the people you killed. TIDALFLAME."

SLASH.

My eyes widened, as blood erupted from my chest. I stumbled back, as Danny slashed down with his axe. I narrowly avoided it, as the axe smashed right through the mountain, splitting it in half.

What was this ridiculous power?! No one in the Contingency Initiative or Realmwatch had this evo!

I launched another blast of flame at Danny, but Danny used the flat end of his axe and absorbed the flames. Then the flames transferred to his sword, as blood erupted from his undead body.

"We're both murderers. With no way back. I'll see you in hell, Yeling."

Danny fired a beam of Hinokami Stage Two flame at me as I stumbled back, the beam creating a massive hole in the side of another mountain.

Danny clutched his sword again, and this time even more electricity surrounded him.

"You may have stood a chance, as the God of Fire. But not anymore. Here in Fa Shan. Lies the artifacts of the old gods of China. With these relics, I'll destroy you. Even if it costs me my soul. My life force. My body. Because all of it doesn't matter. I'm already dead."

I looked at Danny's sword arm again, and realized it was pulsating. Occasional spurts of blood erupted at his veins.

I knew what these relics were. As a Chinese myself.

That blade.

It belonged to Yama, the god of death.

Yama's judgement.

"What... why do you have his sword!"

Danny regarded me with pure malice.

"Lord Yama's sword of judgement. For every strike I deal, seven times the pain will be inflicted on me. But it doesn't matter. I don't feel pain, Yeling. But you certainly do."

Danny sliced again, as I went Intangible, but Danny then reached to his side with his axe hand, and held out another relic, as the sky boomed with thunder, shocking and electrifying me as I screamed in pain.

Lei Shen 's relic! How many relics and sacrifices did Danny make?!

Danny closed in and smashed me into the ground with the flat of his axe with great force.

I fell flat on my back. I couldn't beat him.

This entire time, Danny was in Fa Shan. He was there collecting relics and destroying his body in the process by weaponizing the Chinese gods.

All to kill me.

I thought I could come to Fa Shan to take him on, thinking Hinokami Stage Two was enough.

But against something like this... how stupid could I be?!

I shot into the air.

"I can't fail this Elimination Op. I can't let Squad Four down."

I focused all of my power together.

Level 1 Hinokami Stage Two: Double Inverse Monsoon Release

Danny glared at the flame, his body covered in relics, weapons, and taboo from every god he had sold his soul to.

"It's too late, Yeling. I've become strong enough to take this world. You can't beat me anymore."

Danny put his weapons away, as he spread his legs and assumed a wide stance, replicating an ancient wushu movement. And to my disbelief, a projection of a massive serpent appeared, his head made of copper.

No way.

It couldn't be.

The god of water.

Danny unleashed Kanghui's power, as a massive blast of water flooded the entire place, swallowing up my flames and catching me in the face as I shot into the air.

No...

Danny...

I felt myself free falling, and the only thing on my mind, was the bitter taste of absolute defeat.

Full Faced

"I'm home."

I opened the door, dragging the bags of groceries into the tiny living space, and plopping them onto the table.

"I fought through a ton of old ladies to get this discount fish. Count yourself lucky that I was around."

I glanced at the living room. Shia was curled up in the corner, crying.

"Let me guess. He rejected you."

Shia ignored me.

I sighed, as I put the vegetables into the freezer.

"Stop!" Shia shouted, as she ran up to me and snatched the spring onion from my hands.

"Idiot! If you put them in there, they will turn brittle! Ugh!"

Shia proceeded to take everything that I had put into the freezer and placed them in the correct spots.

"Yeling. I get that you're not from around here, but surely you know how to do chores and errands."

"I uh..."

My mind flashed back to when we had Flint basically do all the groceries for us. Lewis and Flint. Either Lewis had the groceries ordered online, constantly making new accounts and abusing the discount codes. Or Flint would go and buy them himself, walking through portals to wherever had the best prices.

The rest of us never really needed to worry about this stuff.

Shia took the carrots from my hands and sniffled. Her eyes were puffy and her nose was dripping with snot.

"It was for the best, Shia. Can you imagine the amount of controversy for a mere schoolgirl to be with her teacher? Even thinking about it feels weird for me."

Shia put the carrots away, staring at the ground.

"I love him, Yeling. He made me happy. He was the only light I had."

Shia closed the freezer, as she walked dejectedly with ice cream in her hand.

"You won't get far with that attitude, Shia. One is truly happy if they can sustain themselves with their own strength. Codependency makes one weak."

"HUH?!"

Shia turned around, her face looked more annoyed than ever.

"Says the weirdo middle aged guy who's freeloading off of said mere schoolgirl! Why did I even bother taking you in?!"

"Because I have nowhere to go. If you kicked me out, no one would take me in because of my face."

Shia frowned.

"It's not THAT ugly, Yeling."

Shia sighed, as she opened the lid of the ice cream and began binge eating it. If this was her way of coping with her emotional situations, I was honestly impressed at how her metabolism worked. Lewis told me once that certain girls could have all the weight go to their chest from binge eating their sorrows away. But then again... he got this knowledge from anime.

The fact that I was still considering Lewis' advice after all this time was alarming.

"If it wasn't that ugly, I wouldn't be here. You're the first person, much less girl to look at my face for the first time and not be repulsed. That means a lot to me."

Shia stopped eating.

"Yeling..."

I watched as Shia took out a handkerchief and wiped the snot off of her face.

"I'm sorry I snapped at you. I haven't forgotten that day you saved me from those bandits."

"I just needed a place to stay, honestly."

"I know." Shia smiled from within the bangs of her purple hair.

"The first thing you said to me, after you defeated the bandits and saved my life, was 'that moron said you have a place to live, can I stay the night?'."

I irked.

"I... I was extremely malnourished and tired."

"You saved my life, despite going many months without food or water, or even a bed to sleep on. I couldn't just let you go. Also, you passed out in my lap after taking two steps to try to help me up."

"OKAY." I exclaimed, trying to change the subject.

"What's for dinner, Shia."

Shia stared at me.

"You- I- I just got rejected by the man I loved and you-...."

Shia rubbed her eyes and stood up.

"Honestly, Yeling. Sometimes you need to learn how to read the room."

"But I'm hungry."

Shia poured some rice into the rice cooker and added water.

"A 22 year old man. Asking a 16 year old to cook dinners for him. It should be the other way around!"

She was right. But I glanced at my right sleeve.

If only I could...

Shia saw me staring at my right side.

"Sorry. I... I know you're still recovering. I didn't mean to."

"No. It's fine."

Shia began preparing miso soup, as I sat down on the ground, and turned on the TV.

"According to the United Nations, the ever looming threat of the Transplant remains ever at large. A recent interview with a negotiator who had tried to negotiate with the mass terrorist had this to say."

"Transplant won't stop. But he claims that he will only kill the people he believes deserve it. In his eyes, he is delivering a justice that no mortal can do. What are your thoughts?"

Shia clenched her teeth.

"Killing is killing."

I said nothing, as I rolled up my sleeve, revealing my missing hand that I had lost ever since I clashed with Danny the first time.

When he had hit me with Kanghui's tidal wave, my arms were still outstretched when I unleashed my full power IMR. The sheer force of the wave ripped my hand clean off, causing me to lose half of my power as I fell from the sky.

I clutched my head.

No.

No more memories.

I don't want to remember.

It's already been four years.

My time had already come. The Dogma had already stopped contacting me. I had no idea what was going on with my old Squad.

I didn't want to know.

Who I was, didn't matter anymore.

I glanced at my tattoos, which were so faded that I was hardly able to make them out anymore.

That's right.

My powers as the Hinokami... I haven't created flame for four years now.

There was no point anymore.

I lost to Danny at my peak of power. I managed to get Stage Two working, a power that contended with Urca the Slicer. But Danny was too strong. Danny was always better than me.

And now, he achieved what I had sought to do a long time ago.

He became the very thing that was moving the world into equality. But not by awakening The Great Akuma.

He had become the Akuma himself, by selling his soul away, and terrorizing the world. He became so powerful, that even Taras Legion Pax had gone silent.

But there was a reason why I was hiding here, and yes. I was relying on 16 year old girl to look after me like a total creepo loser.

I had to hide.

Wherever I went, Danny would find my Hinokami signature. I was obviously no match for Transplant, and whenever we fought, I would always narrowly escape, and innocent lives would get hurt.

Staying here with Shia, had so far been the most effective solution.

Ever since I lived with Shia, my life had become mundane, consisting of me running errands. Buying groceries, doing the laundry, and cleaning the house.

I was a mass murderer in the Contingency Initiative, but now I was a full time housewife.

But even with housework, I kind of failed miserably, and Shia always ended up doing everything again for me.

But this was my life now.

I never imagined myself to be like this, but I couldn't risk changing it around now. As annoying as this brat was, I got to know Shia for a while now.

I guess the only reason why Shia still kept me around, was because while she was able to live on her own, from the scholarships she won from her school and the subsidies they provided, her family had been involved in some shady business. Her parents were. And when you have parents who get themselves involved in criminal affairs, and don't have the money to pay them back, guess who they heckle?

Well certainly not them directly.

They heckle their cute little daughter.

And so, Shia had constantly run into attacks from bandits, who had come for her in her parent's place. She would get harassed, day and night.

Even when Shia's parents had died, most likely from the bandits themselves, they continued harassing her. After all, she was just a little girl. Who had no means of defending herself. The police wouldn't help. The government couldn't care less about one schoolgirl.

But ever since I moved in with her, the bandits stopped attacking. In fact, they avoided Shia altogether.

The people in this country were all really weak.

I didn't even need to use Hinokami to defeat them. Just showing them my face was enough to creep them out. And if they did manage to get past that, I would usually cut them up with Maika's katana, (no killing though, since Shia was against it).

"Those people from New Ulysses. Those superpowered humans. Why aren't they doing anything about Transplant? If I had an evo, I would dedicate my life to take down that psychopath. You can't make a good world from killing."

"They tried." I muttered.

"Hm?"

"Nothing." I said, as I got up and dragged out my futon, wrapping myself in it.

"I'm going hunting tomorrow. Hopefully, the storekeeper will like what I get."

"But what about dinner!"

"GODDAMMIT." I grumbled.

That night, Shia called it early, and went to her room and wrapped herself in her covers.

I went to the bathroom, the tiny bathroom, and stared at my reflection.

Four years does wonders.

I had gotten more chiseled, and I looked older.

Facial hair was growing, making me look more mature, and I didn't know if puberty hit me late, but I was seeing some serious gains.

Or I could have just been bulking from the fact that I no longer stressed by body as much as back then. And I had Shia cooking for me.

"Looking good, Mister Handsome." I joked at myself, in the mirror, as I ran a hand across my head, when suddenly, I paused.

"What the-"

I slowly rubbed the right side of my head.

It felt...

Prickly.

Like...

"Hair...?"

I gasped, as I turned up the brightness of Shia's mirror light, and stared at myself in the reflection.

"My... my right side, I don't believe it."

My right eye... was no longer bloodshot, and my face...

It was healing.

"Hah. Ha... HAHAHA!" I sobbed, as tears ran down my face.

"My face.... my face! My face! Oh god, my face!" My voice broke, as I continued stroking the healing skin on the right side of my face.

I grabbed Shia's skin care product.

She was going to flip if she found out I was using her beauty products without telling her, but I didn't care.

I had used tons of lotions back when I was Tidalflame. And I could never feel it. That was the curse of my Level 2 Dogma Bargain.

But the moment the lotion hit my skin, I could feel something cold, and soothing.

My skin was.... absorbing the nutrients.

I stepped back, and took off my shirt, revealing my toned muscles. I flexed in the mirror, and started posing like those action heroes I used to see on TV when I was a little kid.

"I'm... I'm not hideous anymore! I'm not! I'm not!!!"

I could hear sheets ruffling from within Shia's room, as I quickly toned it down.

"S... Soon I won't need to wear this anymore."

I clutched the black wig that I had always worn. Ever since I had joined CI.

I wore it whenever I didn't want anyone seeing my right side. I wore it when I was in public, or in disguise. And even for a while when Marcela had first moved in.

I paused.

Guys...

If only they could be there to see me like this.

Yeling Mah. Walking outside without his emo wig.

Confident about his appearance for the first time in his life.

But...

I stopped laughing like an idiot as I got up, calmly putting the wig away.

"Yeah. That's right. That could never work."

I walked to my futon, as I turned off the light.

Tidalflame is no more.

After all, according to Contingency Initiative, Tidalflame died fighting Transplant in Fa Shan.

KIA.

I was technically not supposed to exist.

Yeling Mah was pronounced dead.

"Yeling..." I heard a timid voice from Shia's voice.

"Yeah?"

"Can you come in."

I walked into the room, to see Shia huddled on her bed, staring at the photos of her and her teacher.

"Shia... you need to move on..."

"I know... but..."

Shia beckoned me to sit next to her.

I sighed.

One life ago, I would have freaked out. Like holy shit a girl is inviting me to sit next to her in bed. Who knows what would happen now?

But it was different with Shia.

She didn't see me that way, and I didn't see her that way.

Our bond wasn't romantic, it was more like...

I gave Shia a shoulder as she rested her head against it, crying.

"Stay strong, Shia. It might seem like he's the one, but you still have a whole life ahead of you. Keep moving forward, kiddo."

Shia sobbed, as she dropped the picture and clutched onto me.

"Thanks for doing this Yeling. Thank you. Thank you for not taking advantage of me like this."

"Well, anymore than I do anyway."

Shia let out a weak laugh.

"I hate you. Goodnight, Yeling."

I patted her head, as I left her alone, as she slowly fell asleep.

I looked at my hand again. The barely visible blue tattoos that made up the palm of my left.

If I had gone through as the Tidalflame, and awoken The Great Akuma, would someone like Shia be left alive?

But if she was alive, her precious sensei and love of her life would have died.

And she would have been even more devastated than before.

Just like Anna was.

I clenched my fist.

It should be this way. I have no regrets.

"Burn away to ash. Burn away, Tidalflame."

Storm Dragon

"I'm going to be heading out with some friends. Don't get up to mischief while I'm away!" Shia scolded me.

"I'm going to go on a hunt."

"I just said don't get up to mischief! What are you hunting?"

"Uh. Squirrels?"

"With that thing?!"

Shia pointed at my katana, which was strapped to my side.

I was wearing my dark green cloak, which was intended for camouflage.

"In case I run into anything bigger, we might score a surprise catch. Come on Shia. There's no telling you'll get another scholarship."

"I'll just study as hard as I can."

"But there's no guarantee. Every day I see you studying day and night, it's not good for you-"

"I don't need a lecture from you. Ugh." Shia rolled her eyes as she put on her shoes.

"Just don't set the place on fire, okay? Please. I'm begging you."

"I promise, nothing too crazy." I tried a smile, as my right side crinkled.

I lied.

I swung as hard as I could, as I slashed down at the minotaur's head, but the giant monster roared, backing way. I managed to clip off one of its horns.

Its voice rumbled in the forest.

"Hunter. Why do you not call upon the Devil's Flames?"

I gritted my teeth, as I tightened my grip on Maika's katana.

"How do you know."

The minotaur pointed at my tattoos, and within that split second decisions to get himself distracted, I sliced upwards, severing the monster in two.

"I don't call upon the Devil's Flames, because I am the Hinokami no longer." I seethed, as I watched the minotaur disintegrate into a pile of meat shanks and fur. I put them into my giant bag and lugged it along my shoulder.

This alone wasn't going to be enough to pay off rent. Now that there were two of us living in the place, I knew Shia's academic performance wasn't going to cover us both. It was barely able to cover herself alone, and that was with her pulling all nighters and sacrificing precious time just to study and work hard. With two people, it was impossible."

Shia had smiled at me, trying to keep down the stress.

"It'll be okay. I'll do my best."

Yeah right.

I didn't want her to suffer a mental breakdown all because she tried to keep a roof over my head. I had to balance it out too.

And so, every day, when Shia went out to school, or went out with friends (I forced her to go out with friends, yes, despite being a shut-in myself), I would go on hunts to try to sell off the spoils of high ranking monsters in The Wood.

Because God knows I'm horrendous with housework. And Shia knew it too.

I continued slaying the higher ranking monsters. Skipping the measly ranks. There was only so much space my satchel could hold.

Eventually, I reached a pond, and washed my face off.

From the reflection, I could make out myself. I looked like some crazy adventurer. Sword by my side. Huge sack on my back.

For a time, this was kind of what I looked like before I ran into Shia.

Except I was also malnourished and borderline dying from thirst.

When Danny had blasted me out of Fa Shan that day, I was sent hurtling into the air. Everything felt like a blur of events. And I found myself in the middle of nowhere. Just plain dying grass and fields. I had to find something, and I didn't have the supplies to cook.

The Dogma Bargain shall keep you alive. The Hinokami in you is far too important.

And so, I walked. For years. From one point to another. But while the Dogma had me sustained, my body was still human, and it felt weak, wracked with hunger and thirst.

I was alone for so many years, and as the Dogma continued sustaining me, the Bargain itself, was limited.

And by the time I reached The Wood, I found myself incapable of flame. It was there, I had to learn to fight with my weapons without my powers.

I struggled to my feet, staring at the katana that belonged to Maika Nagumo.

This sword was Japanese. And so was Shia's name.

But when I asked Shia about where I was, she explained that this place was known as Yon. It was actually in the far outskirts of Asia. Away from Japan and away from everywhere else. But due to the war between Japan and Illia, many Japanese immigrants ended up going to Yon. The reason being, that Yon was hostile to Illians. Even more than Chinese.

After all, the first settlers of Yon were in fact Japanese.

Since then, Yon had become a place for many Japanese people, and others of Asian origin.

When Shia had first found me, she thought I was Japanese, because of Maika's katana. But then she saw my face and instantly recognized me as Chinese.

I could tell she wanted to ask why some Chinese dude had a Japanese sword. But she didn't want to pry.

I was grateful for that.

"Back to hunting." I said, as I shouldered my satchel.

I continued making my way across The Wood, deeper and deeper, until I reached a large stone formation.

"A cave?" I muttered, as I peered inside, then stumbled back, as a roar erupted from within.

"What the- What's a dragon doing in this region of The Wood?!"

The dragon roared at me.

You dare disturb my slumber, child?!

This was bad.

I recognized his scales instantly.

But what was he doing here?!

"N- No!" I stammered. In ancient Chinese folklore, there were a bunch of gods. But one type of deity stood out. The dragons.

And with this one, we all knew, even I, who was whitewashed by New Ulyssian culture, knew, not to offend the great spiritual dragon of storms and rain.

Then why have you come here.

"I uh."

Think Yeling. Think.

At the end of the day, you were Chinese.

Think, Mah Ye Ling.

What was the one thing we knew to do, for the great spiritual dragon of agriculture?!

"I have come to bring good tidings. Um. To the mighty spiritual dragon, Shen. We have never forgotten about you. We are eternally grateful of your kindness and mercy to our crops... and... uh..."

I was obviously not going to tell him I went into the cave in hopes of slicing and dicing the shit out of him and sell his scales to pay off Shia's rent.

You lie! One such as you, dare to speak such dai wa to The Great Legendary Shen? If you have come to bring good tidings, why have you brought a sword?! Stained with blood?!

"Shit." I grumbled.

Shen emerged from his cave, until his entire azure scaled body was in full view, towering over me.

I readied Maika's katana.

Was I seriously going to fight the god of storms?!

Then come, humour me. Little boy.

Shen dove his head, as he tried to snap at me, but I leapt into the air, landing on his head and slashing down, but Maika's katana glanced off. And Shen wove around. I clung onto his horns with dear life as I smashed through dozens of trees.

"AAAAGHHH!" I yelled in pain, as I was flung off his head, slamming onto the ground and falling into a creek.

Shen went in to strike again, as I slashed at the Great Dragon with my katana, the swipe causing him to recoil as I rushed forward.

I was fighting the Spiritual Dragon. The Master of Storms and Bringer of Rain.

What the fuck was wrong with me?!

With only a sword?!

But I remembered Shia's smile.

I had to go home, and it was clear I was in too deep.

I had to defeat Shen.

"AAAAHGHHH!!" I screamed, deliriously, as I rushed forward.

I've had my fun.

Shen said, as he swiped with his claw. I widened my eyes as I flew back in a shower of blood, my chest erupted in pain. I was sent flying into the air until I was face to face with the giant spirit.

Shen opened his mouth, as energy pooled together.

Rain and storm.

I couldn't die.

I can't die.

I had to use it, but would he acknowledge me, after four years?!

I aimed my palm.

"I can't die here. I need to return to Shia. I don't want her to be sad because I died here. And most importantly...

My tattoos began to glow blue. For the first time in four years.

"I HAVE TO PAY HER RENT!"

Level 1 Hinokami: Inverse Tsunami Release

I fired a bolt of blue flame, as the fire clashed with Shen's storm ball.

Hinokami? You dare to use that wretched Japanese Demon's Flames against the superior storms of Shen?!

The storm ball began to breach my fire as I struggled to keep myself centred and balanced.

I couldn't win this clash.

The way I was right now, I was too weak.

It was a miracle I even had Hinokami still.

If you can't win the struggle, doesn't mean you lost the fight. It just means their power is greater than yours. So use it against them. Senkaku in theory is inferior to any Great Akuma Dogmas. It is only strong because I make it strong.

Matt.

I released my flame, as the struggle slammed into the ground. Giving me immense rotational momentum, as I sent another blast of flame which propelled me to Shen's direction.

What are you? You aren't The Great Akuma.

I clutched the katana with both my hands, as the blade began to glow blue with Hinokami's flames.

"My name is Mah Ye Ling. Shen, and right here and now, I'm taking you down!"

I slashed with all my might, when suddenly, my body exploded in pain.

"Wha-"

I yelled as I slammed into the ground, the blue flames dissipating from my arm as it began to bleed profusely.

"GRAAAH!" I yelled, as images of Squad Four appeared in my head.

Of Danny...

The sacrifice was your family. To call upon his flames once more, you must sacrifice again.

"No! Don't take... don't take Shia!" I begged, as I began to retch in pain.

Then I shall be merciful. Because you disgraced both the Hinokami and yourself by refusing to use that arm of yours, then the exchange shall be your arm.

My arm began to twist and corrode as I screamed in agony.

Shen lowered his head in front of me.

Who are you. On what grounds do you have to state such things in the presence of the almighty Shen.

The corruption stopped, as my arm began to recover.

There were two voices now in my head.

I am the Dogma. I am law. I am exchange. I am fairness in this world, on behalf of my master, The Great Akuma. This boy is mine to control. He is not your property, Master of the Storms, Shenlong.

Shen narrowed his eyes.

So you are second to another. You dare to speak to me such a manner, little Dogma?

The Dogma was quiet.

Should you choose to interfere, you will strike war against my master. It won't be me to make you regret your decisions, God of Rain.

Shen ascended into the air, his spiritual dragon body in full view.

There is none greater than Shen. You dare speak ill of my name?! Then I shall decouple this boy from your influence. By the name of the Great Celestial Dragon, Shenlong, the one known as Mah Ye Ling shall be free from his tribulations of a Dogma like you. He will yield his flames independent of your rules and law.

My body suddenly, lifted, as I green particles began to surround me.

You cannot do this. You will strike a war against the Great Akum-

The dragon began to shrink, as Shen appeared before me, in a human form. Flowing green hair, and a beautiful face.

"I will show you to speak to me with respect, insignificant Dogma. Do you enjoy exchange? Then in exchange of using my name in such a foolish manner, I will take from you, your precious Hinokami vessel. From this day forward, Mah Ye Ling shall wield my power along with his flames. Independent from you."

I stared at my hand, as wind swirled around it.

"Hey hey hey. You're kidding right?"

Shen pointed at me, and a powerful force shunted out of my body, as my faded tattoos, which were initially blue, became white.

HINOKAMI VESSEL, YELING MAH. DO NOT TEST ME. DO NOT GO WITH SHENLONG. I'M WARNING YOU I'M-

The Dogma's voice disappeared, as I stared at the ghostly apparition behind me, as he began to dissipate.

Shen stood next to me.

"Mah Ye Ling."

"Um... yes, Lord Shen?"

"I am now a part of you."

"That's great... I mean that's a huge honour."

Shen crossed his arms.

"Of course! Now..."

Now?

Shen turned to me, his face serious. I began sweating bullets.

"Do you have a place where I can stay?"

Focal

"Focal is at large again." Shia adjusted the volume, as Shen was absolutely astounded at practically every object in her home.

"Lady Shia, what is this?!"

"That's... a melon. Shen."

Shen slapped his hands against his face.

"Most astounding! From my eons in slumber, I have never encountered such a- by my name, what in the world is that?!"

"It's a rice cooker."

"A what? What are these unusual parts."

Shia sighed as she got up and started preparing rice. Shen, completely baffled and in awe.

"Lady Shia, from my many years as the great dragon of agriculture, you have my highest honours. To be able to prepare and transform the fruits of my rain, into such a beautiful delicacy, you shall see prosperous growth for millennia to come!"

Shia stared at Shen.

"I... Thank you, Shen."

Shen gave her a thumbs up.

Highest honours my ass.

Ever since Shen had struck up an alliance with me, he ended up transferring more than 90% of his power into my Dogma tattoo. When I asked him why, he told me it was because he had never done it before. His brother, Tian, the Celestial Dragon had told him about it one time, a thousand years ago, but Shen never cared because he had never imagined himself to ever be in this scenario.

He then went on a massive speel about how technically, by accidentally giving me almost all of his power, was because he was just too strong. He then laughed at the sky, as if he was proud that he lost all of his strength.

Basically, there man that was standing before me, was about as weak as those old geezers who tried to rip me off with those dried snakes on the street. And because he had spent millennia being worshipped, and sleeping all the time, he had next to zero social skills, zero practical abilities, and did not know anything about the world's customs.

He basically became a divine loser.

Ordinarily, if you unlock different powers from different Levels of the Dogma, your tattoo doesn't change much. The reason being, the most recent Dogma Level, especially if it is Akuma Grade, is most inherent to you. It is pure. And cannot be washed out.

But when Shen transferred me his power, my tattoo didn't just change to reflect that, it had gone from blue to white. But unfortunately, the side effects were... inconvenient to say the least.

"Lord Shen... surely, there's gotta be a way to unlock your power without breaking my limbs."

Shen shook his head.

"My dear child, my power is of the most divine. It is the gift of rain that blesses this world. It simply is not something you can weaponize."

"I used your power to make one tiny breeze and I dislocated my shoulder!"

"You should be honoured you have me as your precious companion!"

"I didn't even ask for it!"

Shia's eye twitched in annoyance as she let loose an annoyed shout.

"You two! Shut up will you?! Ugh! First it was Yeling. Now it's you! Awwwww jeez!"

Shia stormed into her room and slammed the door shut.

"Was it something I said?" Shen looked disappointed.

I facepalmed.

"Look, Lord Shen. I am honoured to have you as a companion. But I can't even use your powers without my limbs literally breaking off. I have to learn to figure it out. And even then, I'm not going to use it for anything special."

Shen raised an eyebrow.

"Similar to Hinokami?"

"Yeah." I said, as I inspected my hand.

"I won't ever use my powers again. There's no point. Someone has already fulfilled my life goal. There is no use of the Tidalflame anymore. I will only ever fight with my human hands until the day I die."

Shen watched me as I prepared the plates to dinner.

"Your life is not set in stone, Mah Ye Ling."

I paused as I made eye contact with The Great Dragon.

"You-"

"My oh my! The weekend is almost here! I wonder if we could go oversee the markets. Human trade has evolved greatly, since the time I was awake. And Shia's companions, they certainly are interesting!"

"Eughhh..." I made a disgusted face. I think the last thing Shia needed was for the two of us to embarrass her again. After the whole fiasco of me returning home that one day.

"Alright, Lord Shen. Since this place technically only has one bedroom, and that's for Shia, you'll be sleeping on the ground, in the living room, along with me. We don't have a futon yet for you, so you're just gonna have to make... WHOA WHOA WHOA!"

I grabbed Shen's arms as he struggled.

"What are you doing?!" I exclaimed.

"I am a great celestial dragon. Clothes is of no importance to me. Clothes shackles my greatness!"

"Stop stripping! We're living with a girl! Know your boundaries!"

Too late. Shen had already ripped through his shirt, and began unbuckling his jeans as I desperately tried to stop him.

"You idiot god! Not the pants! Stop!"

We continued struggling, until we heard voices outside.

"Oh my god, Shia, I didn't know you could sing!" A male voice resonated from the walls.

"Oh... well..."

"Shia.... you're blushing...!" A girl's voice teased.

I spun and glared at Shen.

"We need to hide ourselves. Right this instant!"

Shen gave me a confused expression.

"But why? More humans, means more mortals to see my grand immortal self. Consider it an honour, for this Shia's friends to be in the presence as someone as mighty as I."

"We can always visit a temple or a shrine or some shit. But now is seriously not the time."

"Can we come in?" The girl asked, as Shia began stammering.

"Oh... no... no please don't. My place is... a mess! A big mess! I haven't cleaned it."

"It's okay, Shia. No one will judge you." The boy said.

"Iwabe won't. But I will!" The girl laughed.

The door creaked open.

"Come on, Shia! Don't be shy!" The girl said, as she flung open the door, revealing Shen and I, wrestling in the center of the living room. Shen's shirt was completely torn apart, revealing his bare chest, and his pants were all on the floor, revealing his underwear, which he was trying to take off as well. But I was stopping him, with my hands near his crotch area.

It was until I saw the girl and Shia put their hands on their mouths, and the guy to stare at us with what I was guessing as pure horror�, surprise, disgust, and amusement...

Did I realize how easily misinterpreted this sight was.

"Y- Y-" Shia stammered.

"You idiot!" Shia squeaked, as she stumbled back, dropping her handbag on the ground.

"Um... hey Shi-"

"So this is the great Shia my Lord Yeling has spoken about! Indeed, a charming young woman!"

Shen got up, in his speedos, as he approached Shia's friends. The girl screamed, as she ran away, and the guy backed up and knocked over a bunch of stuff on the counter.

Shen then got on his knees and kissed Shia's hand.

"Lady Shia, for your hospitality, I will be under your care."

The guy stared at Shia in horror.

"Shi- Shia... I didn't know you lived with... such interesting roommates."

Shia's face turned stark white, as she pulled her hand away.

"N-No! This isn't what it looks like, I live with Yeling! He's acting as my Guardian."

I held up my hand, defeated.

"Hi. I'm Yeling. I'm a freeloader."

It took a while for Shia to get used to the new living arrangements. But after a while, she had gotten used to Shen. Of course, when Shen explained to Shia that he was the great God of Rain, Shia, like most sane people, did not believe him, chalking it all up as a mentally deranged individual who was somehow connected to me.

"As long as he isn't a pervert, it's fine." Shia grumbled.

And now here we were. Shopping for groceries.

Shia was busy with schoolwork, and so she tasked the errand to Shen and I. Well just me, since Shen was next to useless.

"Alright, Shen. We just need to find carrots, preferably on discount. Because we can't afford the fancy one- Shen?"

I looked around, and spotted the God of Rain spreading his word, to a bunch of crazy old bats who were trying to rip him off.

"Come back here!" I ran up to Shen and grabbed his wrist, dragging him away.

"But those mortals promised me their unwavering faith should I purchase their stocks!"

"Of course they'll say that!"

We continued shopping, as Shen was completely enthralled by every booth he saw.

Whatever.

At least Shen was enjoying this.

And I would be lying if I said I wasn't captivated myself the first time I was here with Shia. I was amazed myself, considering in New Ulysses, everything was technological, and thus all booths were indoors.

To go outside and shop their booths was amazing. I guess this was one of the many things that Yon had that New Ulysses didn't. Just old fashioned fresh air.

I walked past a newspaper stand, and an article caught my attention.

I peered at the front page.

Supercriminal Focal, still at large. Metahuman destroys entire German aerial fleet. Potentially working alongside the Transplant?

"Focal, huh." I muttered.

"Yep. Crazy guy. Dude is a psionic. Anything that gets in his way gets disintegrated."

"Do you think Focal would win in a fight against Transplant?" Another guy in the booth asked.

"No way. Transplant has an infinite regeneration factor. Focal can decimate him as much as he can. He'll just keep coming back. After all, you're talking about a guy who put Taras Pax in his place. And that dude, do you remember him? The Pax Incident that gave everybody in New Ulysses powers? Man, the good old days when Taras was the number one threat in the UN along with Contingency Initiative. Now it's Transplant taking over the whole criminal scene."

I guess ever since I went out of action, new superstars popped up.

"You two." The lady managing the booth put her hands on her hips.

"Talking about those two as if they're the most amazing people ever. They're terrorists! There's nothing good coming from people like them. Especially that bastard Transplant."

"I know that!" The guy responded.

"But there's nothing we can do. You either respect him, or you die to him. If even Taras and his company couldn't beat him. The only people who are trying is Realmwatch, and even they don't stand a chance."

I sighed, as I walked away.

This wasn't my life anymore.

I sat in a cafe, with Shen. Drinking tea.

"Tch. I overpaid. Great. Shia isn't going to like this." I muttered.

"Are you desperate for this Earth's riches, Yeling?" Shen asked.

"Well, in this world, we need to pay rent to live. So yeah."

"How peculiar, how you mortals do things."

I took another sip.

Maybe...

Maybe staying here was the right idea.

I didn't need to worry about Transplant, now that I've faded into the background. Supercriminals like Focal can be dealt with by the next generation of Realmwatch operatives.

And Contingency Initiative...

I stirred my tea, as my reflection rippled, momentarily flashing to when I was still Tidalflame.

That kevlar mask, that covered my face and revealing my human half of my face. The skull design and flames.

Seeing that made me uncomfortable.

To know that this monster was me.

"What will you do about those monsters?" Shen asked.

I stirred the tea, as Tidalflame rippled away.

"Nothing. Let the UN and Realmwatch deal with it."

"Based on the rumours of the humans around, that might not be possible. Your flames are special, they are celestial to The Great Akuma. And now you have the power of the Great Shenlong. In theory, you could-"

"No, Shen. You don't understand. What Transplant is capable of. Sure, I have the power of Hinokami and now, you. But Transplant... he has the powers of multiple gods. AND multiple meta humans who have faced him. My power is like a drop in the ocean compared to him."

I looked at my missing right hand. It was just a stump now.

"Even at my strongest, he just toyed with me. And in the end, I was never the strongest. There were people who far surpassed me. There's no point in me trying to pick it up again. I'll just be left in the dust playing catch up. Being the minor character. It's over for people like me, Shen."

Shen regarded me with those green eyes of his. His long elegant hair was tied back.

"Yel-"

KABOOM.

Screams erupted from the far end of the town as I shot to my feet.

"What is that? Did a monster from The Wood invade?"

Shen narrowed his eyes.

"No. If it was, I would have detected it."

Another explosion, as a woman screamed.

"Call the police!"

One man was dialling frantically, as a large crate was about to topple over him.

I drew Maika's katana and rushed to his location, slashing at the crate.

"Th- thank you, sir." The man mumbled, as I glared at the carnage. I couldn't make out what was causing it.

"Shen! Do something!"

Shen scratched his head.

"Technically, all of my power is yours to wield, mortal boy. I cannot provide much help."

"You useless god!"

"Take that back! Hey!"

I rushed forward, as I cut up debris, rescuing citizen after citizen, as I made my way to the carnage.

I heard gunshots left and right, but the sounds of their screaming was a clear indicator that they weren't strong enough.

What was a threat this powerful doing in Yon?!

"This place... it reeks of weakness." A heavily electronically distorted voice echoed from within the smoke and dust.

I stopped dead in my tracks.

A orange light appeared from within the smoke, as I instinctively brought up my sword to block it. It was a powerful concussion beam, as I slid back, trying my best to withstand the beam.

From within the dust, a man emerged. He was wearing a pure black combat armour suit. His face was encased in a black helmet, with occasional angular teal lights, which arced across the sides of his helmet, and across his suit.

"What is this? A defender?"

I yelled, as I redirected the blast.

More police came in to try to take down the man, but the man stood motionless, his visor on his helmet glowing purple. A massive blast of energy sprouted out, as multiple orange energy arms slammed the officers onto the ground, lifting them up and bashing them against the walls as they went unconscious.

"You a hero in this country?" The man asked me.

"Yeling!" Shen shouted, as he appeared next to me.

The man paused.

"What did you just say?"

I turned to Shen.

"Get out of here! Make sure Shia is okay!"

Shen nodded.

"As you wish."

Shen turned around and sprinted the other way, as I faced the meta human.

"I... I know who you are." I said.

"Do you now?"

"You're Focal, from the news. Why are you here? Yon has nothing."

Focal's visor glowed again, as a different colour energy blast shot towards me. I blocked it with the katana, but my hands instantly froze up with immense cold.

I yelped in pain and stumbled back.

"Why are you here?!"

Focal said nothing, as he clicked on the side of his helmet, revealing his eyes. They were glowing orange, as energy exited them, encasing his body and causing it to hover in the air.

"I should be asking you that. But clearly, you have abandoned who you are. That means you're nothing to me."

"What?!"

"Now. What was her name... Shia?"

My blood turned to ice.

"What... leave her alone!"

"Nah. I always knew you were soft. From back then. But... guess now I know why. Haven't I already told you before? Women are a waste of time, Yeling."

My heart stopped.

"You... Lewis?"

Lewis removed his helmet, revealing his aged face. There was a vicious scar running down the left side of his face, and his hair was bright white.

"Not Lewis. It's Focal now. You've been gone far too long for your own good. While you were busy playing house with this Shia, Squad Four was busy getting stronger to avenge you. We all thought you were gone, so we worked to the bone to take down Danny. But he was too strong. Did you even think about us at all these four years?"

I clenched my fists, as I tried to initiate flame, but the flames were so small and miniscule, as it only raced up the palm in my hand.

Lewis' eyes focused on my hands.

"Judging from how weak you've gotten. Jesus, Yeling. Your tattoos... they're not even blue anymore. And your face."

"What about it?!"

"It's healed. Don't you know what that means?"

"I'm free."

"No. It means you can't use Intangibility anymore, you idiot! And your fire. It's basically embers now. No. This is wrong. This is all wrong. You were one of the strongest members in Squad Four, Yeling! And now you've become this... this..."

Lewis clutched his face.

"Yeling, don't you know how much we've lost?"

"Danny... he defeated CI, didn't he? He surpassed Taras, right?"

Lewis glared at me.

"You ignorant fool."

His eyes flashed blue, as I wave of concussion force emanated from his eyes and slammed into me. I smashed into a food cart, as everything went blurry.

"You asked me why I came to Yon. It was because yesterday, I sensed a familiar energy signature. My Vision Evo had evolved since those four years to trace not just people, but their energy signatures. I couldn't find you, even with that. And I wondered why. Until one day, your flames. The Hinokami, appeared on my radar. I came here as fast as I could. Because of there was someone out there who could restore Squad Four, it had to be you."

Lewis descended, slamming his feet into my midsection as I coughed out blood.

"But imagine my disappointment, knowing the Tidalflame, the Level 1 Dogma Holder of Hinokami, has become THIS. I arrived here, but the moment I caught that signal I lost you again. You seriously abandoned us to become this weakling?! How could you?!"

I tried to fight back against Lewis, but he was too strong.

"I... I lost to Danny. He took away my hand. And... half my power was gone. I... I'm not strong enough. No matter what I do-"

"NO. I don't want to hear that from you, Yeling. Squad Four. We all fought Danny with everything we had FOR YOU. Do you know... do you know..."

A tear ran down Lewis' eye.

"Who we lost?"

I stared at my old Squad member.

"No... don't say it..."

"We fought Transplant. And Danny, in a fit of rage, discovered you were affiliated with us, like family. And so, he decided to take from you, what you took from him. He slaughtered us, Yeling."

"No.... stop!!"

"Maika is dead." My heart felt like it was impaled by a stake.

"Flint is dead." Another impalement.

"Whitney is dead."

I began to breathe shakily.

"Stop... stop talking, Lewis! ENOUGH!"

Lewis got up.

"The only people left, are Matt, Marcela, and I. Just us. We're all Taras has left. Everybody else has either died or disappeared. Either from fear, or from defiance, against Transplant. There's no point reviving the Great Akuma with Danny around, but this guy is not bringing fairness. His idea of people who deserve to live are too skewed."

Lewis got off of me.

"If you've given up your flame, then I'll reawaken it. Shia..."

"I won't let you-"

Lewis turned to me, as another wave of concussive force slammed me into a wall.

"Right now, I far surpass you. In fact, these four years, I've been training with Marcela nonstop. We've already surpassed you when you were Tidalflame, Yeling. Do you know what that means?"

I glared at Lewis, as my body felt like it was about to break from the sheer force of Lewis' evo.

"At the sorry state you are right now, you don't stand a chance against me. And you don't stand a chance against Danny."

"I know that... I know..."

"The pain of loss. That was what moved me to take action. We lost three of ours that day, and I thought I lost you too. That was what made me strong. So to make you strong, I'm going to do the same. I'm going to take your precious Shia."

Lewis' eyes flashed purple with his vision evo, just like those many years ago.

"Found her."

"LEWIS!" I roared, as Lewis took to the skies.

"Stop me if you can, Yeling. And if you can't, then both you and Shia will die."

"LET ME PROVE MYSELF. RIGHT NOW." I yelled, as Lewis stopped, turning to me.

"Hmph."

Lewis grumbled, as his eyes flashed red, and suddenly, a portal formed between us.

"Then come."

"Where are we going?!" I shouted, as I found myself teleported to Shia's house.

Shia and Shen were trying to find cover.

Contingency Initiative Operatives had completely invaded Yon, and Shia's house was in flames.

"Yeling!" Shia shouted, but Lewis' eyes flashed gold, burning a wall of golden flame separating us.

"Is that... Focal?" Shia gasped, her face in disbelief. Shen brought her back.

"Stay away from him, mortal girl. This one is dangerous."

I put myself between Shia and Lewis.

"Don't touch her." I snarled.

Lewis chuckled.

"Oh yeah? And what are you doing to do, you shrivelled up vessel."

I turned to Shia and Shen.

"Yeling... how do you know Focal?"

Lewis smiled sadistically.

No.

Don't say it, Lewis.

"I'm begging you, don't-"

"Because... he is one of us." Lewis said, as he held up his hand.

"Yeling Mah. You were the strongest of us, so I'm going to reawaken you. Starting with the fundamental basics of Squad Four. Initiation."

Lewis fired a concussive blast at Shia, as I shot forward as fast as my legs could possibly offer me, and shoved her out of the way, but taking hit full on as I smashed into the debris.

"Yeling!" Shia shouted, but Lewis fired another beam, which wrapped around Shia and forced her to the ground.

"The hell is this? A schoolgirl? You make me sick, Yeling."

"Leave her alone. Mortal boy." Shen said, as he stood before Lewis.

"Don't! Shen!"

Lewis narrowed his eyes, as they flashed purple.

"Celestial energy... you're a deity."

"Indeed I am. Your qualms are not with Shia. She has nothing to do with-"

"Oh. I see. You've lost your power. So you're as pathetic as Yeling over there."

"HUH?!" Shen exclaimed.

"I may have lost my power, but I am still a celestial dragon! How dare you-"

SZZRRAK

A blast of power smashed into Shen as he went flying into a roof.

Smoke was coming from his body, as I had just realized that Lewis had fried Shen with a heat blast.

"SHEN!" Shia and I screamed at the same time, as Lewis turned to me. His face was expressionless and hollow.

"How many more is it going to take, TF? Or should I kill the girl too?"

"You... you bastard!" I roared, as I unsheathed Maika's katana, but Lewis' eyes glowed silver, and a powerful wave of gravitational force smashed into me, pinning me onto the ground.

"What the hell?!"

"�You... have the audacity to wield Refractor's sword after throwing away your life as a Contingency Initiative operative? No. This is..."

The gravity intensified as I felt my bones about to fracture. It was too much.

How much did Lewis evolve over the four years?!

Lewis walked up to me and ripped the sword out my hands.

"You don't deserve this blade. Maika was wrong to have given it to you. I'm taking it back and putting it next to her gravestone. As for you... I guess you'll just have to watch me kill this Shia girl too."

Lewis then approached Shia, who was still planted on the ground from Lewis' binds.

"SHIA!" I yelled, but Shia turned to me. Her face was streaming with tears, but she tried to hide her fear.

"Don't... don't worry about me, Yeling. Do what you have to do. Whatever you need to do. It's fine. Don't worry about me."

Lewis chuckled.

"STOP, LEWIS!" I roared.

I already lost Shen.

I couldn't lose Shia too.

I couldn't...

"If you want to save this girl, and be a repulsive hero, then break out of my gravity. If you can't, then I'll kill her. Then I'll kill you too."

Lewis clenched his fist.

"There will be no gravestone for you. You traitor."

"Hinokami! Please!" I begged, by the flame I had right now was not enough.

But...

I looked at Shen's body. It was completely charred.

Shen, a celestial dragon, who's ego was beyond anything I had ever seen, had tried to protect Shia with his life. And paid the price.

I needed to use his power.

"You... you bastard, I'm not afraid of you, Focal." Shia snarled.

"At least you're not gonna die a coward, like every anime girl I've seen."

Lewis tilted his head, as his irises glowed gold. It was the same gold that created those flames.

Shenlong.... Shenlong.

Suddenly, the faces of three people appeared in my mind.

I recognized them immediately.

My parents. And my sister.

Something inside me sparked.

"Ah. That's right." I muttered, as I closed my eyes.

When I used Hinokami, it was in exchange for my family.

But when it came to Shenlong...

I didn't exchange anything.

I was given a family.

Shia. And Shen.

If someone like Shen could change so drastically, I had no excuse. And if I didn't do it now, I would lose Shia.

"And that... can't happen."

I muttered, as I got to my feet, breaking the gravity, green lightning surrounding me. From the reflection of the shards of glass, I could make out my green irises, and my tattoo...

Was now lime green.

"Wha-" Lewis turned around, as I zipped forward in what felt like a blink of an eye.

"Maika's katana- what just happened?" Lewis stumbled back, as I looked up from the ground.

I had Maika's katana in my hand, and Shia in the other... well my other arm.

I glared at Lewis.

It was now time for round 2. There was no need for words.

"Y- Yeling?" Shia asked, as I swung the katana, generating wind which gently carried Shia away.

"Yeling!!!" Shia shouted after me, but I pointed the sword at Lewis.

Lewis said nothing, as he fired a golden beam at me.

And with what was almost like autopilot, my body moved on its own. My foot circling back.

Rain-Style Kenjutsu - Form 1

Memories of numerous people emerged in my mind.

Who were these?

Japanese. Chinese. Illian. Many had tried to face the God of Rain. For they could not accept a life of fear. But none could stand to his might. And as the God of Rain was challenged to battle, he met many styles. He remembered them all.

Green electricity, wind, and rainwater began circling violently around the blade.

Surface Slash

I swung violently, as the massive arc of wind and water completely disintegrated Lewis' beam, smashing him head on. But to my disbelief, a force field was erected around him, glowing blue.

"Heh." Lewis smiled.

Lewis then fired another beam of light, the same zig zag, as it circled me.

I had to use that crazy move again.

Rain-Style Kenjutsu - Form 1: Surface Slash

I swung behind me, but to my disbelief, the beam dispersed into five different branches, each catching me on the sides.

I fell to my knees.

"This isn't some kind of generic anime MC awakening, Yeling. You unlocked some weird ass rain power. Good for you. But you're still inferior to me right now. After all, I now outclass the Tidalflame version of you at his prime."

I clenched my teeth, readying my katana, as Lewis smiled sinisterly.

"But you're still learning. Let's see what you've got. I want to see you level up, Yeling."

Transplant vs. Squad Four

Rain-Style Kenjutsu - Form 1: Surface Slash

I sent arc after arc of stormy wind and green lightning at Lewis, who seemingly was not affected by it at all.

From the dust and debris, I stood, clutching the hilt of Maika's katana. Breathing hard.

Super Move

Lewis' voice emanated from the smoke.

I brought the blade up to try to shield myself.

But suddenly, something caught the edge of my vision.

Orbs.

And tons of them.

I spun around, to see dozens upon dozens of glowing gold orbs of pure light. And from within the dust, were two pupils, the eyes of Focal.

I had to use something else.

Come on, Shen!

I needed something. There had to be more forms to this Rain-Style kenjutsu!

But Form 1 was all I had implanted in my mind.

Legion of Mirrors

The beam fired from the dust, as Lewis emerged from the smoke, his eyes releasing a powerful stream of gold light. I instinctively dodged out of the way with my own skill, that I had developed from my ages fighting monsters alone with the sword, but that was my first mistake.

The beam wasn't aimed at me.

The beam fired off one of the orbs, as it pierced right through my left thigh.

"AAAUGHHH." I yelled, as the beam ricocheted off of the dozens of orbs around me, continuously piercing and cutting into me with ridiculous speed.

It was beyond the zig zag beams Lewis used to have back when he was Pinpoint.

Lewis now...

Focal was a whole different beast.

I continued getting bombarded by the beam as I fell to my knees, blood pooling from my numerous wounds. I dropped the katana as I felt the sudden surge of power from Shen leave my body.

"You left us, Yeling."

Lewis approached me and kicked me in the face, then put a hand on my throat.

"We tried to AVENGE you. But this entire time... this entire time..."

Lewis' eyes glowed teal, as his body crackled with electricity, lifting me off the ground, then throwing me as I smashed into the side of Shia's house.

I could see Lewis' figure menacingly approaching me.

"You had left us. You left your duty."

I struggled to my feet.

It was over.

At the state I was in...

Even with Shenlong, I couldn't catch up in power.

The difference between us was far too great.

This whole time, everybody had been working hard. And I was only ever getting weaker.

Lewis' vision evo, I had remembered it to be able to locate things and people. And fire beams of energy. That was it.

But these four years, the way he had evolved it. It could enhance his body. It could restrain things. It could burn. It could create mirrors. It could change direction, create portals, and the sheer power of it itself...

I remembered those hundreds of TV reports of the supercriminal Focal, how he had decimated entire legions of enemies, armies, armadas, with a single ray of optic light.

A single blast of optic power.

That level of power... surpassed my Inverse Tsunami Release.

And this entire time, I was in awe with that man, not knowing it was Lewis.

I closed my eyes.

"Kill me. Lewis. Just don't hurt Shia. I'm begging you."

Lewis stopped dead in his tracks, his eyes narrowed, as he clenched his teeth.

"What did you just say?"

I looked him dead in the eye.

"You won. I get it. I'm a piece of trash. A sad sack of shit. In the end, I really was. When I fought Danny. I fought him as Stage Two Hinokami, everything I had, and he defeated me easily. He took away my hand. He took away half of my power and rendered me useless. For ages, I walked alone, my power shriveling away until I've become the weakling that you see before you right now.

I rolled up my sleeve, showing Lewis the stump of a wrist I had for a right arm.

"Even if you bring me back. Even if I am gung ho on serving CI again... there's nothing I can do. There is NOTHING. The Tidalflame you knew, he was never enough. I was never enough."

I raised my arms.

"So if you're going to kill me, then go ahead. You trying to force me to be this thing that I cannot ever become... it's just a waste of time. But Shia... Shia doesn't have anything to do with this. She has nothing to do with it. You can threaten to kill her all you want, Lewis. But in the end, you said it yourself. This is no anime. I won't suddenly become the hero that saves the day."

Lewis clenched his fist.

His eyes then flashed white.

"Fine. Then maybe, instead of me telling you this, how about you see it for yourself."

My vision began cloudy, fogged and distorted. Focal's voice becoming a mere rumbling, as my sights shifted into a new scene.

On this day. We came for you, Yeling. All of us.

I was in the perspective of Lewis. We were on some kind of cargo plane.

"I don't even want to begin to know what the damn charges are for frickin bypassing the New Ulysses jurisdiction, Squad Leader Matt." Lewis grumbled.

Matt was looking out the side of the plane. Everybody had their robes on. But underneath, I could feel some kind of padding underneath.

"This body armour will keep you safe enough. It's high grade." Matt ignored Lewis' comment.

Matt then turned to his squad.

"This is the endgame. Squad One couldn't beat him. Yeling was killed by him. We're not gonna let this slide."

Marcela clenched her fists.

"It should have been me."

Maika stopped her.

"No, Sella. This wasn't your fault."

"I raised Yeling's old classmate from the dead. It was all my fault. I got myself captured by Lucas that day. I... If anybody should be undoing this mess, it should have been me. When we get down there, I will be the one to kill Danny. For Yeling."

Whitney stood next to Matt.

For once, she didn't have a grin on her face.

"I can't believe that bastard took Yeling from us. I'm going to suck his soul out. Whether he's undead or not. He's finished."

Lewis' eyes glowed purple.

"Down there. By the temple."

Matt turned to everybody.

"Descend."

Everybody jumped out of the cargo plane, as we all freefell.

Lewis powered up an optic beam.

"For Tidalflame."

A massive optic blast left his eyes, as it shattered the temple into smithereens.

We landed on the ground. The fires roared from the remains of the temple, but I knew that wasn't enough to kill Transplant.

And just as I expected, from the fires, was a figure of a young man, who walked through. His t-shirt was completely shredded, reduced to rags, but he dragged a large axe, across the ground. His burnt skin slowly regenerating.

Matt leaned forward, and charged Danny, slicing him up with his black blade, but Danny swung his axe, generating a massive shockwave of wind.

Matt switch teleported at the exact moment, causing the wind to smash Danny, sending him flying into the air.

Level 1 Shakujin - Massive Hand

A large fist appeared from the ground, grabbing Danny, as Maika threw several kunai at Transplant, and Whitney rushed up the arm, with that insane agility from her time as a gymnast.

"Thanks for the food." She snarled, as she widened her mouth, but nothing left Danny.

Whitney paused, her face startled. Danny slowly turned around, his face a murderous rage, as his left fist cocked back, red cracks forming and ripping at his skin.

"Sella! Throw him!"

Marcela froze, probably from nervousness.

But just as Whitney was about to be attacked, Matt switch teleported her for a piece of the temple, causing Danny's arm to explode in a shower of blood along with the temple artifact.

"Bastard teleportation..." Danny muttered, as he blasted to Matt, but Matt's eye glowed red, red electricity surrounding him and allowing him to barely keep up.

"Guardian's powers surpass your Amplification Dogma, Mirage." Danny said, as he grabbed Matt by the throat and slammed him into the ground.

Lewis fired a bolt of optic light at Danny, who raised his axe and deflected it, but suddenly Matt smiled, and three tendrils sprouted from his arm, impaling Danny and sending him into the air.

Lewis fired again, the concussive force slamming into Danny with immense might.

Maika threw kunai after kunai, the thrown projectiles impaling Danny's chest one after another.

Then from a distance, I could see Flint, who held his hand up, summoning a golden beam of light which intercepted half of Danny's body.

Conjunction: Large Displacement

Half of Danny's body suddenly disappeared, as his eyes went wide.

"In for the kill!" Lewis shouted, as everybody charged forward, but suddenly, a massive serpent surrounded Danny. A serpent with a copper head.

Kanghui

"Lord Kanghui. Destroy them. And for the price, I will trade in... more of my humanity."

Kanghui roared at Squad Four, as everybody froze.

"What the hell is that?!" I heard Lewis shout.

Matt leapt backwards.

"The Chinese water god..."

Everybody turned to Matt.

"The... what now? Did you just say god?!"

Matt gritted his teeth.

"No wonder this guy managed to kill TF. TF never would have stood a chance against this guy. Not when he uses his immortal body like this."

Maika grabbed Marcela by the wrist as she dragged her along, Kanghui laughing sinisterly, as he opened his mouth, ripping apart the ground. Chasing after the two.

Matt switch teleported the two out of the way, but suddenly, Danny appeared in front of him.

"You're the Mirage. I did my homework. You're the most dangerous person in this team."

Mirage took a step back, as Danny turned to his god.

"Lord Kanghui! Target Mirage! The one with one eye!"

To my horror, Kanghui flew to the sky, unleashing the same massive torrent of water that had severed my hand at my Squad.

Matt looked at his Squad members.

"Marcela!"

Marcela stared at her Squad Leader in terror.

"Marcela, do it! Use Shakujin! I can't switch teleport everybody at the same time, and a portal is going to be too taxing."

"I... I..."

Lewis glared at Marcela.

"For fuck sake, Marcela! Do it now! Yeling would have been able to if he was in your position! No one else has a frickin Level 1 Akuma Grade Dogma other than you now!"

Flint tried to make portal after portal, but the sheer force of the flood kept shattering his portals, overloading them.

Maika grabbed Lewis by the collar.

"Don't speak to her that way!"

Whitney stared at the ground.

"Hey. Matty."

Matt looked at her.

"Now's really not the time to be flirting-"

"This creep is a god, right? Would his water happen to be celestial?"

"Yeah?"

"So... it's not actually water. It's magical. Connected to him. Connected to a life force."

"Yeah. Wait. Whitney, you're not seriously going to-"

Whitney took a step forward, in front of Squad Four, as the massive flood approached them. Her arms spread wide.

"Thank you, Squad Leader Matt. For helping me get over my abusive relationship with Brice. For freeing me from him. When Brice killed my parents, and the police didn't do anything about it. No one did anything about it. I needed Brice to live. And so, I had to let him hurt me, and I just had to take it. But you... you freed me. You gave me... a second chance. To kill Brice. To give me strength."

The flood began to concentrate, as it smashed Whitney head on, her body glowing.

"Whitney!" Lewis shouted, as he ran forward, but Whitney turned to him, her body glowing and flashing with white energy, her eyes so bright it was hard to look at.

"Don't come, Lewey. I don't need an incel like your ruining my dramatic exit."

"Don't! We can... I'll help you!"

Whitney turned back at the flood, as she started to stumble, her knees buckling.

"No... no... you can't... do anything against this. I'm siphoning as much as I can, but I feel like my body is about to burst..."

Kanghui laughed hysterically, as Danny approached us from the other side.

"You bastard!" Lewis roared, firing a beam at Danny, who had fully regenerated his other half, but Danny held out a trinket, which reflected the damage and sent Lewis flying on his back.

Everything was blurry, as Matt, Maika, and Flint tried their best to hold off Danny, but to no avail.

Even with Matt's skill, there was nothing he could do.

Against a man with hundreds of powers.

And an immortal body.

Lewis turned to Whitney again, as she gave him a smile.

"See ya around. I hope you find a girl who loves an incel like you some day. Lew."

"WHITNEY!" Lewis cried out, his voice cracking, as he... no. We watched Whitney "Wendigo" Houndstooth explode into light and blood.

The flood dissipated as Kanghui regarded Danny in curiosity.

"Retreat. Kanghui. You've done enough. Go to the temple, and fetch me the artifact."

Kanghui flew to the temple, as Lewis fired beam after beam in a frenzy.

"I'LL KILL YOU. I SWEAR ON MY LIFE!"

"Lewis!"

Matt shouted at Lewis, as he fought Danny, who had his body completely monsterized, sharp tendrils erupting from his body and slamming the ground all around.

"Focus on the figh-"

But before Matt could finish his sentence, a tendril came his way. Matt's eyes widened, as everything looked like slow motion.

I knew Matt. For a long time.

He had incredible reflexes.

But to dodge that... To dodge that...

SHUNK. SHUNK SHUNK SHUNK SHUNK SHUNK.

Several blades impaled a body. As Flint had pushed Matt out of the way, an orange portal closing from where he had blinked to his location.

"FLINT!" Lewis and Maika screamed, as Flint smiled at Matt, he tried to widen the smile, but blood erupted from his mouth.

"G... God... damn... zombie got me... sorry, Squad Lead..."

Danny lifted Flint into the air.

"There won't be a happy ending, for murderers like you. For people like you, who took Yeling in and turned him into a murderer just like yourselves. The only thing you guys got right was the choice to remake the world. But you all missed the big thing. You guys think eliminating the world's people who don't deserve a better life is justice. Well... I think it's hypocrisy. Since you guys don't deserve a better life either."

An electronic arc went up the tendrils and electrocuted Flint alive, as he screamed in pain.

Matt steeled himself, and rushed forward, slicing with his blade, as another tendril impaled him dead on, but Matt dissipated into shadows, as he had switch teleported with his clone from behind, cutting Danny's head off in a fraction of a second.

But to everybody's surprise, a decapitated Danny didn't hesitate, to send another tendril, which caught Matt in the shoulder, sending him into the air.

"Evolve. Go beyond your limits... Lew..." Lewis grunted, as I, from his perspective, watched him plant his hands on the ground. He was still dizzy, but he managed to get to his feet.

"I need to do it. I need to do it. Otherwise, more people... more people I love are going to die!"

Lewis approached Danny, who simply held up his hand, blasting him with a wave of concussive force. Lewis flew backwards and smashed into a pillar.

Lewis slid to the ground, everything becoming blurry, as from his eyes, I watched the remaining surviving members do their best to fight off Transplant.

"Get up... get up... Pinpoint... I... I need to..."

Lewis tried to get to his feet, but he clutched his ribs, which were broken. Then his ankle, which was sprained.

Lewis tried to concentrate, but the pain was breaking his concentration, keeping him from making any optic blasts.

Danny used Flint's corpse and knocked Marcela and Maika away, then turned to Matt, who was basically fighting Transplant all on his own.

"Squad Leader... Matt... No..."

Danny slammed down, as Matt dissipated into darkness, replaced with multiple clones, but just as the clones were formed, Danny destroyed them instantly with his numerous tendrils.

Danny then held out his hand, causing Matt to freeze. Approaching him menacingly, until he grabbed him by the throat and lifting him into the air. Matt began retching.

"No.... MATT!!!" Lewis choked out.

Danny impaled Matt, bringing him close with a sneer.

"To make this world a better place. One scumbag at a time."

Matt retched, when suddenly, his body flickered. Changing shape. Into a young Japanese woman with dyed hair and punk clothes.

Lewis fell to his knees.

Marcela screamed, as she powered up, her tattoos glowing a bright white. A massive earth golem emerged from the ground, as it swung its fists, smashing Danny over and over again into the ground, widening the crater.

Matt leapt back, as the shockwave sent him flying.

"Marcela! Calm down! You're causing way too much collateral!"

Marcela ignored her Squad Leader, as she hysterically beat up Danny with her ginormous construct, but by the eight punch its fist was suspended.

Danny got to his feet, stopping the punch with one hand, blood dripping and leaking all over the floor.

"Yama, bring upon rot to this foolish girl."

The arm began to turn black, corroding and becoming brittle. Then it began racing up the arm and closing in on Marcela, as Matt shot to her location with his Slingshot Backbreaker, grabbing her and blasting her out of the golem before it crumbled into ashes.

But before either of them could do anything else, Danny had already closed the distance, axe in hand.

"Of all times, you choose now to not be a cold blooded killing machine, Mirage?"

Lewis heaved, as he forced himself to his feet, ignoring the pain in his side as he roared with rage, and a new beam. A gold beam of light exited his eyes, incinerating Danny.

Danny yelled in pain, as he tried to regenerate, but the fires of Lewis' now evolved evo was oxidizing his flesh, forcing them to be incapable of healing itself.

Matt raced in and diced at Danny, while Lewis continued his stream. But it was clear it was taking a massive toll on his stamina.

"I can't... keep this up any longer..." Lewis muttered. His eyes were becoming bloodshot.

"KANGHUI" Danny yelled, as the monster reappeared, roaring at the remaining three surviving Squad Four members.

Matt cursed, as he grabbed Lewis and Marcela, and tried to make a break for it, but Kanghui had them cornered.

"To the end." Matt snarled, as he summoned another blade, but his body was weakening, and Danny could tell.

"Mirage. You may be CI's most formidable terrorist and operative, but you have limits. So obvious. You can't fight a battle of attrition. And against me, I am the perfect counter against you."

"MATT." A voice appeared from above, as Danny and everyone looked up, revealing a fresh squad of fighters, who descended down.

Stormwatch.

"Joe..." Matt muttered, as Joe turned to his old friend.

"Take your squad and get out of here. We'll hold off Transplant."

"You can't. None of you are geared to take him down. This man... took full advantage of his undying immortal body and struck multiple deals with Chinese gods. No one stands a chance against him now-"

"Matt."

Joe cut him off.

"It's... the least we can do. What Rui and I can do. After everything we put you through."

Logan put a hand on Matt's shoulder.

"Vis... Contingency Initiative or Stormwatch. Vision or Mirage. I will always be there for you. In this time of need, you need to live."

"Squad Leader Mirage... we need to go..." Lewis warned him.

Matt didn't look happy, as he slowly took off his mask and threw it to the ground. Rui approached him until the two were face to face.

"I'm sorry about your Squad members."

Matt said nothing, as Rui suddenly pulled him into a hug.

"And I'm sorry for hurting you." She whispered into his ear, as Matt's eyes went wide.

Rui gently pulled away, as Lewis took his wrist, dragging him to the chopper which had dropped off Stormwatch.

Matt was still in shock, his hand outstretched, but Rui waved at him from the distance. Matt's old Squad getting smaller and smaller as the chopper flied away.

"Stay alive, Matt. For me. For us."

Rui called out, then she turned around and joined the Stormwatch Brigade, ready to take over Squad Four's fight against Transplant.

The vision exited, as I found myself before Lewis. An older Lewis. His black combat suit and white hair ruffling in the wind.

The amount of stress and pain he went through, if that hair was natural...

"Yeling, we need everything. Anything. So... if you choose to stay out of the fight because you gave up so quickly, then I'll just have to awaken the animal inside you."

Lewis' eyes flashed red, forming a portal, reaching in and pulling Shia by the wrist.

Shia yelped and tried to struggle, but Lewis' eyes flashed purple, binding her instantly.

Lewis then reached into his pocket, pulling out a trinket.

"You care for this girl. Just like I cared for our Squad. More than you apparently. Get stronger. I don't care how."

The trinket began to glow, wrapping around as Shia struggled, panicking.

"LEWIS!" I roared, rushing forward, summoning Shen's winds again, but Lewis punched me in the face, throwing me to the ground.

"Shia's been afflicted with a curse. If, in four months time, the curse isn't lifted, she will die."

"SHIA HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS."

"NEITHER WERE FLINT AND THE OTHERS. Your beef with Danny was your own. But now, Danny is out there making a rampage, YOUR nemesis is. And you're giving up. You can thank Marcela for this one. Unlike me, she actually didn't even want to see your face. There is only one antidote for her curse. One cure. But it will be a journey. And once you get there, you need to prove your worth. If you die on the way, then sucks to be you. If you defeat the guardian, then it'll show you have some semblance of being a man left in you."

Lewis created a portal and stepped through, but not before stopping.

"Danny is going to turn this world into a hellhole. Power has corroded his mind. Every contract he strikes with a god he throws away his humanity. At this rate, his idea of a perfect world is going to be so twisted, it will mean the death of us all. Only the Great Akuma can bring fairness in this world the right way. No man can handle that burden. Not Danny. As immortal as he is. Which is why it had to be the Akuma."

And with that... Lewis disappeared, and Shia was sprawled on the ground, with an amber mark on her chest, signifying her curse.

I looked around, at the ruins of Yon. From our fight, and the CI operatives' havoc.

There was no going back from this.

Nagumo

"How the hell are you still alive?!" I growled, grabbing Shen by the collar and shaking him back and forth as the Great God of Rain's head rocked like a bobblehead.

"Ah! Mortal boy. And Lady Shia! I am glad you are well."

"Well?! We saw your body get lit up by Lewis and jammed in debris! How did you survive that?! I thought you were dead. I was able to channel your power as if your soul entered mine or something!"

Shen chuckled, as he gently removed my hands. Shia ran forward and hugged her tiny arms around his waistline.

"Mortal boy. That would be most ridiculous! I am a god. I cannot enter your filthy soul!"

I clenched my teeth.

"As for why you were able to channel my power, you were always able to do that. I suppose your sudden urge to protect us from the Focal was perhaps the thing you needed the most to unlock it."

The three of us went back to Shia's place, which was completely in ruins, courtesy of Lewis.

Of course, Shia, having lived in this place for as long as anyone could remember, could only stare at the wreckage. Her tiny hands clenched into fists as her eyes were wide in shock.

Shen and I tried to make her feel better.

"Look! Shia. The rice cooker still works. Sorta." I tapped on the charred button as it made the most depressing "Ready" jingle, seconds before it popped and smoked.

"Lady Shia! I have scavenged your cosmetic tools!" Shen stumbled out of the bathroom, carrying the driest stick of lipstick I had ever seen in my life.

Shia took a deep breath.

"It's... fine. We need to take it one step at a time."

We sat on what remained of the grounds in the flat.

"So... Shia is cursed. We have nowhere to stay. I have to figure out Shen's power as soon as I can and become strong enough to defeat Transplant. I don't even know where to start."

Shia was silent for a few moments, until suddenly, she squeaked, causing both Shen and I to jump in fright.

"That's it!" She exclaimed.

"What? What is it?" I asked.

Shia went up to me, as my heart raced.

She was way too close!

"We'll go on a quest!"

"A.... quest...?" My voice trailed off, as Shia lifted her finger and pointed at my chest. Standing on her tiptoes.

"Yes. A quest to find my cure. I can do the research since I'm a bookworm. And you will be the old man who protects Shen and I!"

I choked.

"Old?!"

"Splendid! Amazing!" Shen exclaimed, causing me to stumble back in surprise and trip, falling on my ass.

"This... quest. Many adventurers have challenged me back in the day. And they all claim to have been on their quests. All quests require parties. We fit the criterion! Us three! Yes!"

"What the hell do you mean fit the criterion?!" I snapped, getting to my feet.

"I'm the only one of us three who can fight. You're just a freeloader! And Shia is still a little kid!"

"Hey!" Shia pouted.

"I'm a fully grown woman!"

"Sure you are, Miss Five-One Student Council."

"HUH?!" Shia marched up to me until we were face to face again. Which was comedic. I couldn't take her seriously with that schoolgirl outfit and skirt on.

Ultimately, it was Shia who led us out of Yon, and along with our journeys. Who knew this kid was so resourceful.

We ended up in a city, not far, but not close to Yon, as we entered the town.

We continued walking, and the first thing that really stood out, was the dress attire of the people in this town. And their weapons of their peacekeeping force...

"Swords and sorcery? What is this, Medieval China?" I muttered.

"No. I recognize this place." Shen said.

"This is the town of Arii. Home of adventurers and wanderers. Magic and the arcane. This is how this town lives."

"Seems stupid." I grumbled.

"How so, boy?"

I pointed at one of the men, who was wearing full plate mail. On his back was a battle axe.

"Do you really think putting on a bunch of metal and having an axe would save you against a guy with a gun? Humanity evolved from this point. The fact that these people are still living behind the times. What next, horses instead of cars?"

I was cut off, as I heard the clacking of horse hooves from behind me. Several adventurers were inside, as Shia put her hands on her cheeks, her face in pure adoration.

"Amazing! It's like those manga I always read of the super hot main character being transported into another world!"

Shen put a hand on my shoulder.

"Mortal boy. Believe it or not. Of all who challenged me. It was the adventurers of Arii who gave the most challenge. And I have had people from New Ulysses, those who displayed these so called evos, challenge me in the past. The adventurers of Arii wield magic and non conventional means in the perspective of a modern human such as you. To very effective lengths. You will find much to learn from these heroes."

"Tch." I muttered.

We continued walking around the town of swords of the arcane, when suddenly I paused.

This place. The vibe.

Lewis... would have killed to be in a place like this.

Shia stretched her arms to the sky.

"This place, it's like those manga I always read about. Those-"

"Isekai..." I finished her sentence.

Lew.

Lew, you would have loved it here. You would never shut up about the possibility of ending up in a fantasy world like this, and how the women there would be unlike the women in New Ulysses. It would be creepy and warrant Whitney clowning you. But...

I clenched my fist.

Whitney. Everybody.

If only I could take you here. All of you. It would have been a dream come true for you. But now that will never happen.

We finally reached a lodging. It had the words Altra Hotel written on it.

"Would you look at that. I guess we found a place to stay." I commented, as we entered the lobby. There were several people lounging. All had adventurer armour and weapons or some kind of mage-like clothing. Even the lobby itself looked fantasy like. Wooden boards and everything, like a video game.

Honestly, I was impressed we got this far. Shia had really went and figured out what to do, and where to go. She had savings in her wallet, ever since I started helping her pay her rent, and rather than blowing it off makeup and shit, she actually saved it, then proceeded to invest in the universal currency zani.

"Let's put our stuff down first." I said, as Shen and I put our group's belongings on the ground. Shen marched to the biggest sofa and proceeded to take the whole space for himself.

"A god such as me deserves the greatest of accommodation! Make it quick, mortals! HAHAHA!" Shen bellowed, causing many people to turn to look at us.

"You didn't even carry anything!" I growled, as I set down both my, and Shia's things. Shia had insisted she could carry her things, but I knew better than to let her carry anything. The last time I let her carry groceries, she almost passed out carrying the watermelon.

Shia nudged me.

"Do you still think I'm a child?"

"Uh..."

Before I could answer, the lady at the front desk gasped, rushing up to Shia and grabbing her as our self proclaimed adult yelped in surprise.

"By the gods! You're so cute!" The lady began squeezing Shia's cheeks.

"Hey! Let go of me! I'm sixteen! I'm an adult-"

"Adorable! I'll let you stay for free!"

Shia paused in surprise.

"R- Really?"

The lady beckoned the other receptionists, who surrounded Shia.

"Look! Such pretty purple hair! And her belongings. She must be a traveller. She will become the cutest adventurer in Arii!"

"Forget being an adventurer! I want her all to myself! What a sweetheart!"

"Hey!" I protested. The hell was wrong with the people in this town?!

I got up, but Shen grabbed my wrist.

"No, Yeling. We can weaponize her!"

"The hell kind of a god are you?!"

Shia bit down her lip as she closed her eyes, taking a deep gulp.

"Ahhhh haha. I'd like a room of three please." Shia then did a pretty convincing puppy dog eyes at the receptionists, who screamed in joy.

"For you, anything!"

We went up the stairs to our room, as Shia stared at the ground.

It sure was awkward.

"Uh-"

"Not another word from you. Do you hear? Or Focal won't be the most terrifying thing you've seen in your life." Shia snarled, her face getting in close.

The next morning, I left Shia and Shen in the room while they were sleeping, and snuck out, using the directions Shia had made for me to get to the guild.

"Hi. I'd like to be an adventurer." I said.

The receptionist looked me up and down.

"Sure. Place your hand on the orb and we will begin processing your registration card."

I paused, as I placed my hand on the orb, the device humming with power.

Normally, according to Lewis, something would happen. Maybe my latent abilities would be unlocked? Or some strange phenomenon? But the lady simply watched me with no reaction, as I removed my hand and she processed the card.

"Name?"

"Ye-" I stopped myself. If I used my real name, I might be spotted right away. My name on registries for Lewis to access. Or worse...

Danny.

I needed another name. But what?

Someone important. I felt it had to be someone important.

My mind flashed back to the vision Lewis had given me.

We all thought you were gone, so we worked to the bone to take down Danny. But he was too strong. Did you even think about us at all these four years?

I clenched my fist.

"Um... sir?" The receptionist asked.

I snapped back into reality.

A name.

I glanced at the katana that was strapped to my side.

I knew what to do.

"Nagumo."

"Nagumo..." The lady punched in, as a card was generated before me.

"This is your adventurer card with your stats. Judging from this, it seems you are around average for a melee combat based adventurer. Not bad!"

My eye twitched.

Did she just say average?

So I wasn't even special? The hell was this?

But then again, I remembered looking around me. All the guys who were melee based seemed really physically fit. And to be fair, my skill with Maika's sword was pretty shitty.

"Good. I'll go and call for your supervisor and mentor. All adventurers start with a mentor before they can actually go out and complete quests for our guild. Is it just you for this party?"

"Yeah. Just me." I lied.

"LIKE HELL IT IS!" A familiar girly voice squeaked behind me.

I spun around and nearly jumped out of my skin.

"Sh- Shia?! What the hell are you doing here?!"

Shia marched up to me, dragging Shen along.

"What are you trying to do? Fight monsters all on your own? We're in this together!"

"Neither of you can fight. I already caused you enough grief with that curse and burning your place down. I can't just go and throw you into danger again." I hissed, but Shia clenched her teeth.

"That is not up to you to decide, Nagumo-san. How about you let us decide whether or not we want to be dead weight in your little redemption journey."

Shia shoved me out of the way.

"We are part of Nagumo-san's party. I am Shia, and this is Shen. We'd like to be adventurers too!"

The lady, clearly uncomfortable at what she just witnessed, cleared her throat and went back to her friendly demeanour.

"Of course!"

Shia registered, and her role was merchant.

I busted out laughing.

"Hey! This isn't funny! I wanted to be a witch, or a mage! What is this?!"

The lady handed Shia her card.

"Your role is decided by the orb, after it assesses your qualities. You are intelligent, Shia-chan. And very cute. Those are qualities that make one at the top in the merchant world!"

It was Shen's turn. And as I expected, the lady stared at Shen in surprise.

The orb had cracked, and everybody had turned to us.

"You... your greatness... I... I don't... please one moment." The receptionist went into the office, and an older woman appeared, grabbing Shen's hands.

"Your power... it is beyond anything our guild has ever seen. Perhaps even surpassing the big three."

"Big three?" I asked.

The woman nodded.

"Yes. Udomel the Destroyer, Inko of the Golden Knuckle, and Charles Ainsworth, the fastest adventurer in Arii. The big three, the greatest adventurers in this guild. You... Shen... you have potential to surpass even them! But..."

But?

The woman gave Shen an awkward smile.

"Your intelligence... and luck... are very below average."

Shen threw his head back and laughed.

"HAHA! Who needs intelligence when you are a god among these mortals!"

Everybody turned back to what they were doing, as the lady receptionist bowed to the older receptionist.

"I'm so sorry. I thought we found him. The great saviour who could save us from the Transplant. I'm sorry."

"It is fine, Bella. But now we know. Has their mentor arrived yet?"

"Not yet, Mistress."

The lady beckoned us to wait in the waiting room.

"Your supervisor will be Inoko. This is actually her first time supervising, actually. So please be kind with her. She... can be quite distant and aloof at times."

We all stared at Bella.

"What?" I asked.

Bella cleared her throat.

"Just think of it as... I guess it is hard to explain."

And with that, we were left alone.

"Yeling." Shia said.

Oh great.

Here it comes.

"I know what you're going to say. But you have no idea what we're dealing with. Leave the fighting to me. I-"

"You know I won't let that happen. We're in this together."

I shot to my feet.

"No. We're not. You have no idea who I am. What I used to do. You don't know. You're just some high school loli who've only had her head buried in books. This isn't some slice of life shit. The path I walk is one full of bloodshed. The more I keep you away from it the better it will be."

Shia clutched her bag, as she glared at me. It went silent, when suddenly, the doors slid open, revealing an extremely attractive woman. She eyed us all with disdain, as I found myself staring like an idiot, my mouth hanging wide open.

She was slightly tan, her medium length hair was white like snow. Her eyes were a fiery orange, and she looked extremely sporty. Maybe it was because of her athletic build. Or her pretty, but scowling face. Or the fact that she was wearing pretty much the bare minimum of a black crop top and denim shorts.

Regardless, the girl narrowed her eyes at me.

"What are you staring at?"

"Uh... duh..."

I watched as the tanned tomboyish beauty walked to the centre of the room.

"My name is Inoko. I'm your supervisor. For the next few weeks I'll be acting as your mentor. Don't you fools try to die on me."

Did she just call us fools?

Shen slowly got up from his chair and approached Inoko.

"My dear. I will be in your care."

Inoko's sudden tough act melted, as she backed up, startled.

"You- I- Yes. Yes I am. I mean you are. I mean... never mind!" Inoko kicked Shen and sent the God of Rain hurtling out of the waiting room.

I half expected screaming from the guild hall, but Bella just sighed.

"Inoko... you can't just kick guys who startle you like that."

Inoko's face flushed red.

"Tch!"

I watched as our supervisor turned around, crossing her arms and walked out of the guild hall. From behind, I could make out the details of her massive sword which was strapped to her back.

"Follow me. Maggots."

Bella put a hand on my shoulder.

"Inoko is actually a very sweet girl. But there is reason why she acts so distant. Just go easy on her, and be understanding. It's her first time watching over adventurers."

Were we really going to be okay?!

God of Rain

Inoko had us stand in a circle, as she paced back and forth.

"Um." I said, as Inoko turned to me.

"What."

"Shouldn't we introduce ourselves? I mean. I feel like we kind of got off on the wrong foot.... literally..."

Inoko's face irked in disgust.

"Puns? Seriously?"

"You know what I mean. I mean. I know you're Inoko. I'm Nagumo. We came from Yon."

Shia jumped up and down.

"Ooh! Ooh! I'm next! I'm Shia! I'm from Yon, and I'm a merchant. I love reading."

Shen suddenly got on his knees, putting his hands to the sky.

"And I, am the Great Celestial Dragon. That is right. Many revere me. For my presence brings bountiful harvest. For my rain, that I so command, is sought after by the crops of China and the world! That is right! I am... the legendary... God of Rain! SHENLONG!"

We stood in awkward silence, as Inoko's eye twitched.

"So he really is insane." She muttered.

"Heh?" Shen asked, as Inoko ignored him and turned to me.

"My name is Inoko. I am your supervisor."

"Well, I mean, we know that already, but-"

"That's all you need to know. You don't need to know anything else."

"But Inoko! We want to get to know you more! You intrigue me, and you will be with us for a while as we stay in Arii." Shen said, stepping closer to Inoko who's face turned bright red again.

"No!" Inoko yelped and shoved Shen again.

Inoko panted, as she stepped back, regaining her composure.

"Look. It's not like we're going to be all chummy. I'm just here to supervise you. That's it. Nothing more."

Inoko brought us to the fields on the outskirts of the town.

"Okay. Here's your first lesson."

I raised an eyebrow, at the creature Inoko was standing next to. I couldn't help stare at her body.

I know I was being a pervert, but if you were there, seeing for your very eyes, you would too.

She wasn't just fit. She was athletic. Paired with her pretty face. I was surprised she wasn't as popular in Arii. According to the file on her from Bella, she was a very high class adventurer in the Guild. Among the stronger ones.

"Hey! Are you even paying attention?"

Inoko walloped me over the head as I was shunted back into reality.

"Mortal boy, are you perhaps feverish?" Shen asked.

"I'm fine."

Inoko clenched her teeth in annoyance.

"Look. This here is a slime. This is a monster. Most of your jobs as adventurers would be to fight monsters. Consider this a test to see your strengths. I know Shia here can't fight. Shen is a moron. So you're the only plausible fighter, Nagumo. So let's see what you can do with that katana of yours."

I drew the sword. I didn't really need to use Shen's rain powers for this.

"Easy peezy." I boasted, as I brought my foot back and slashed as hard as I could, but the slime bounced out of the way and clung onto my face, as it started burning.

"Holy shit!" I yelled in a panic, as Shen quickly ran up to me.

"Ye- Nagumo! Hang on! You vile mortal creature! You dare attack my precious Nagumo!"

Shen grabbed the slime with his bare hands before Inoko could stop him.

"Don't! Slimes are-"

"My hands! My beautiful manly hands! They're ruined! Forgive me, Nagumo. But I cannot save you this time!"

"You never once saved me you bumbling idiot!" I snapped.

Inoko swung her massive sword, the slime disintegrating as she gave me a look of pure disappointment.

"This... is who I am responsible for. I can't believe it."

We followed Inoko back to the guild hall, as her face seemed somehow more annoyed than when we first met her.

"Uhh... so how was our first day?" I tried to strike up conversation, but Inoko ignored me.

"Sorry if we're being a burden to you. But we're still new to Arii, you see. I want to learn everything about being an adventurer and stuff."

Inoko clenched her fist as she kept walking, her boots squelching on the mud.

"Nagumo, your fighting style sucks."

"Uhh... yeah I never really had any good teachers."

"I can tell. That sword of yours is a katana. But you wield it like a complete amateur. You'll need proper training."

I sighed.

I guess we really weren't going to get along.

Inoko is actually a very sweet girl. But there is reason why she acts so distant. Just go easy on her, and be understanding. It's her first time watching over adventurers.

I glanced at Inoko again. Her constant scowl.

"Say- Inoko. Maybe when you have time, you can introduce us around?"

Inoko looked at me.

"What?"

"Like I said before, we're kinda new. Would be nice of we had a tour and stuff. I mean you're basically our supervisor anyway. We're going to be going on a lot of adventures and quests together. Would be nice if we got to know each other a lot more too."

Inoko's eyes momentarily widened, her face becoming startled, but within a split second, it disappeared, reverting back to her usual annoyed scowl.

"I'll... think about it."

That night, Shen and I bunked out, while Shia fell fast asleep.

"She asleep? Are you sure?"

Shen nodded.

"Yes."

"Good." I replied, as I closed the door in her room, leaving just the two of us.

"What did you wish to discuss, Yeling?" Shen asked.

"This."

I rolled up my sleeves.

"Do you notice anything strange?"

"Yes."

I eyed Shen.

"You're lying, aren't you."

"Yes."

I sighed.

"My arms. The tattoos. Haven't you noticed, for the longest time, the tattoos were only on my left arm. But now..."

I rotated my right arm, revealing a fresh set of tattoos. They looked angular like the ones on my left, but they were more flowing. Like... water.

"These green tattoos. They appeared on my arm ever since I called upon your power. And that's not all."

I showed Shen my left arm.

"The tattoos that were originally white when your power entered these... they've returned to the navy blue. I don't know what this means. I don't know what's happening to me."

Shen put a hand under his chin.

"Could it be that you are starting to manifest dual power attributes?"

"What do you mean?"

"A long time ago, there was a warrior who challenged me to battle. He went by the name of Taras Pax."

I choked on my Altra complimentary tea.

"You fought Taras?!"

Shen nodded.

"A long time ago. This being, Taras Pax, had three Dogmas unlocked. His first Dogma, was Regeneration. His second Dogma, was Hinokami, and his third Dogma, was Susanoo. Hinokami, like yours, was flame. And Susanoo, like me, was storm. His tattoos were multi coloured as well. But when he fought, it was obvious that the power was too much for his body. It was incompatible."

A long time ago was right.

The Taras Pax I knew, had fourteen Dogmas unlocked.

A Taras Pax with only three Dogmas unlocked, and he fought Shenlong?

"Your face, mortal child. I have seen countless times."

"What?"

Shen pointed at me.

"You look lost. Like you don't know where to start, the only thing you know of, is the overwhelming tasks that lie ahead."

I gritted my teeth.

"Of course I am. Shen. I have to fight Danny. I get that I have Hinokami and you. But that's nothing compared to Danny. The dude has dozens of gods at his toolbelt. I can't beat that. Taras couldn't beat that. And... this dude killed all my old squad members. He terrifies me. And above all else, because of our history, he absolutely hates me. He wants to kill me. So of course, I don't know where to start."

I glared at Maika's katana.

"This was the katana of one of my squad mates. Maika Nagumo. The Refractor. She gave it to me so I would never forget them."

"So that is the reason you went with Nagumo as your alias."

"Lewis is right. I've neglected these people. And now it's too late to make it up to Maika, Whitney, and Flint. It's too late. The least I can do is master this sword. But after losing to that slime. It's just hella disappointing. I can't even honour her memory."

We sat in silence.

"Mah Ye Ling. You do realize, that Taras lost to me, right?"

"Of course. You said you were undefeated."

"And Taras knew. He knew who he was fighting. He was battling a god. But not any ordinary god. He was fighting A Great Celestial dragon. He faced the challenge grimly, without backing down. He may have lost to me that day, but that did not stop him from continuing his growth of power. And now, he has become the feared super criminal you speak of."

I regarded my hands.

"Are you saying that if I keep trying, I'll be like Taras?"

"I am saying if you keep trying, there is potential for you to surpass him. And defeat this so called Transplant."

"How do you know this isn't just some hot garbage you're spewing out of your divine mouth, Shen."

Shen smiled warmly, putting a hand on my shoulder.

"My mortal boy. It is because you are kind."

I scoffed.

"Contingency Initiative terrorist Tidalflame is kind? Do you have any idea what kind of messed up shit I used to do when I was younger?"

"Do you accuse of me of being a liar, Mah Ye Ling?"

"I'm just saying. You can say many things. But me being kind is definitely not true."

"It's not? I am a god. Child. I can sense warmth from your aura. From your soul. You are kind. You seek to help others. But your soul had opened up to the tribulations of this world. Am I wrong, to say you have had second t thoughts when you were this... Tidalflame?"

I stopped.

Second thoughts.

The very things I had denied I ever had.

"That's just human conscience. Everybody has it."

"Perhaps. But when you are given the power to destroy. Any man who has been played by this world would retaliate with full vigour. But yours is dulled. And it is not from anything other than your morality. This is what makes you different from this Transplant, who has thrown it away. And Taras, who threw away his humanity to continuously gain powers from The Great Akuma."

Shen put his finger on my chest.

"You are different. Mah Ye Ling. Did you truly believe I chose you because of a silly ego spurt?"

"Sorta."

"Well! That was... half right. But nothing good comes out of dealing with that Japanese Demon. Much less his manipulative Dogma. I do not simply give away my power to any mortal. You are special Mah Ye Ling. Because despite all the trauma that you have gone through, your morality still breathes. Deep in your heart. So remember this. Remember that who you are is what gives you potential to surpass your limits."

Shen pulled the covers over his head.

"The God of Fire, and the God of Rain. You are more than just a rookie adventurer who cannot master his blade. Put some more faith in yourself, mortal boy. Take a page out of the book of the Great Shenlong. Honour yourself."

The next few days, Inoko led us on little D-rank quests, so we could gain experience on how the world worked in Arii. It was there did I start to get my first lesson magic.

"Magic is inherent to all of us." Inoko explained, as he lifted her sword.

"My magic amplifies my strength. For example."

I raised my hand, as Inoko scowled at me.

"What do you want, Nagumo."

"That's not how you address your students!"

Inoko narrowed her eyes, giving me a deadly stare.

"Uh." I shut myself up.

"Well, I feel like my strength is more than made up by my inherent evos. I don't think I need to learn magic."

"Hm." Inoko muttered, as she blasted forward and disarmed me instantly.

"Magic isn't just about firing random fireballs and stupid sparkles. It's so much more than that. Magic is what binds people together. It's what makes a group strong..." Inoko's voice trailed away.

"Uh... Inoko?" I asked.

Inoko whipped around.

"Doesn't matter. I'm going out of my way to teach you this stuff. So I'd prefer if it didn't go to waste."

Inoko showed us how to form runes. Runes and magic had many utility purposes. In Inoko's case, she could use it to strengthen her body to ridiculous physical proportions. Our magic affinities needed to be explored on our own. Unfortunately, both Shen and I were too stupid to figure it out, causing Inoko to yell at us.

But Shia, on the other hand...

"Inoko! Look at what I can do!"

Shia created a rune, which lined her bag, and pulled out a giant war axe.

"What the hell is that?!" I yelped, as Inoko paused.

"That's... so you're a summoner. Have you done magic before, little girl?"

"I'm not a little girl. I'm sixteen. Also, this is my first time."

Shia gave me a thumbs up.

"At this rate, I might surpass you, Nagumo!"

I bit back the urge to throw a short joke at her.

The following few days, I began to gain more experience with fighting, mostly under Inoko's guidance. Well, Inoko didn't really guide us on anything. She just stood there and told us to fight the monster.

In a way, Inoko reminded me of Matt.

And after every mission, I would head out of the hostel at night, with Shen, and try to master his power.

Rain Style Kenjutsu - Form 1: Surface Slash

I launched a powerful swipe at a giant rock, severing it.

"Good work! Ah Ling!" Shen clapped.

"Yeah. But Form 1 is all I know. There's got to be more forms. Think, Shen. Were there more forms from this master?"

Shen scratched his head.

"Not that I can think of."

"Gah!"

I aimed my katana again, with my one hand, as it began to ache.

"Dammit." I grumbled.

"You won't get far with that weapon." A girl's voice appeared behind us.

I turned around, to see Inoko sitting on a bench.

"The hell?" I muttered.

Shen raised an eyebrow.

"Why is that?"

Inoko sighed as she got to her feet and leapt to my location, landing in front of me. She smelled like blueberries.

Not like it mattered.

"Your hand. What happened to it?"

I glanced at my right stump.

"I lost it. In a fight with someone."

"Hm."

Inoko pointed at my missing right hand.

"The reason why you won't get far, is because a katana for the most part requires both hands to wield. A lot of adventurers in Arii have katanas, and all forms require both hands. The excessive strain you are putting in your hand is not worth the effort. I would recommend using a different weapon."

Did I seriously not have what it took to wield Maika's sword?!

I dropped the weapon on the ground, as Inoko was startled.

No wonder...

No wonder I couldn't unlock any forms. Or why no matter how hard I tried I couldn't get far.

Inoko gave me a sympathetic expression.

"Nagumo-"

"I don't need to hear anything else." I spat, as I bent down and picked up the sword from the ground by Inoko's boots.

"This is hopeless. My journey is hopeless. Why did I even bother trying to pick this shit up again." I muttered, as I put the sword back in its sheathe.

I shouldn't vent my frustrations out on this sword. It was sacred and precious. And because it was so sacred...

"I won't use this thing again."

I walked off, as Shen followed me. Inoko was left alone at the beach, the sounds of waves crashing filling the air.

"N- Nagumo." Inoko called out to me, as I stopped, turning around.

Inoko had her hand held out, but she hesitated, putting it back next to her thigh.

"Nevermind. Get some rest for tomorrow."

That night, I had another nightmare.

I was walking in the streets of New Ulysses. There was no one there.

I would normally be happy and overjoyed.

This was the dream, to not see annoying people polluting the streets.

But it all felt wrong, for some reason. And as I walked up the steps to the apartment complex, I took the elevator up to our flat.

The flat of Squad Four.

And when I opened the door, there was no one.

"Guys? Is anyone home?" I asked.

No answer.

I peeked into Flint's room, half expecting the guy to be gambling on his iPad. But it was empty. In fact, his normally messy room was completely clean. Barren.

I went to Lewis' room, knocked on the door, only to have the door open on its own. It was unlocked. Lewis always had his door locked.

And just like Flint's, it was empty.

"No..."

I ran to the other side of the flat, to see that Whitney's room was also barren. Maika's room was barren.

And the office, where normally, Matt would be seen filling out mountains of paperwork, all gone.

"G- Guys...?" My voice left me, as I heard footsteps. I spun around, aiming my hand, but no flame came out.

And before me, was Danny.

"Dan!"

Danny regarded me with a sinister expression.

"Where are you, Yeling."

I clenched my teeth. I couldn't respond. I couldn't tell if this was real or not.

Danny approached me, until we were face to face.

"Your face is healed. Your hair has grown. How you've had it easy, while your friends were killed in cold blood."

My hands tightened.

"Danny... I'm going to make you pay for what you did."

"Can you? After you just gave up like that after one fight? You always just gave up. One shitty exam, and you give up in the class. One failed quiz, and you give up for a whole week. One argument, and you give up your friendships."

"What game are you playing?"

Danny slowly undid his shirt, revealing his horrifically scarred chest.

"You will never. EVER. Beat me. Yeling."

I stumbled back, as the entire flat began to shake, and the ceiling ripped off, revealing a swirling tornado in the sky. Danny regarded me with a wild expression.

"I will destroy myself, so I can destroy the evil in this world. But why... why is it, that after everything you said about being alone, did so many people try to fight me in your place? This... �Squad Four. This Squad One. This Taras Pax. Everybody fought for you. But no one... no one fought for me."

"Dan, you're the one destroying this world. Obviously people will try to go for you. It doesn't have anything to do with me-"

"SHUT. UP." Danny growled, as a wave of force sent me flying out of the flat as I slammed into the side of a skyscraper, shattering the windows.

Danny hovered in front of me, using the winds of Lei Shen.

"You're healed. That means... you're not alone. You gained something. While I continued to lose myself. Are you happy now, Yeling? I've lost EVERYTHING. While you GAINED IT ALL. Are you happy?! Are you happy that I am suffering?! ARE YOU?!"

Danny grabbed me by the throat and lifted me into the air.

"Dan... we've both grown up. Tidalflame... that isn't me anymore..." I choked.

Danny continued glaring at me with pure hatred.

"You're right. How old are we now? Twenty two? Twenty three? We're all grown up. But there's a difference. I suffered. I suffered and put myself through hell, contracted new gods and meta human evos. I have become so powerful, that no one can stop me. Not Contingency Initiative. Not Realmwatch. No one. But I suffered and bore this weight all alone. While you... you've been ENJOYING this life? How can you go about destroying this world, then turning your back on your mission, enjoying the thing that you swore to have hated your whole life, while I HAVE TO BE THE ONE."

Danny threw me into the air as I yelled, a powerful thunder bolt slammed me into the roof of the building if the CAPITAL.

"Why do I have to be the one... Why am I the one forced to keep fighting. When you were the one who started all of this between us when you killed me."

Danny rubbed his nose with his ragged sleeve.

"And now... you have the AUDACITY to say you want to defeat me? You said it yourself. Only those who suffered much deserve to be strong. You do NOT. DESERVE. To defeat me. Yeling."

Danny slashed his axe as I tried to dodge and stop it, but the axe severed my right hand, as I screamed in pain.

"I'll kill you. Killing everybody in this world will never satisfy me. Until it is you who I destroy. So if you want to come for me, then come at me with your delusions. I will enjoy tearing you apart. Just as I tore apart your precious squad."

Danny tried to slash at me, but I bolted out of the way, green electricity surrounding me.

"What-"

Danny tried to attack me again, but I summoned rainwater around me, as a powerful claw replaced my right. The claw caught Danny's axe, the both of us snarling at one another like ferocious animals.

"So what if I'm weak. I've changed. I've grown. These four years. That was more than enough for me to see what I failed to see when I was still Tidalflame. There's more to strength than sacrifice. Hard work. Support. Mindset. It's EVERYTHING."

That was right...

No one would get strong from the get go.

"I'll put in the work. I'll do whatever it takes to stop you, but I'll do it in the right way."

Elimination Op

I woke up the next morning, and found Inoko in the town with an ice cream cone.

"What flavour is that?" I asked.

Inoko yelped, her face flushing red, as she stumbled back, the ice cream cone seconds away from being just the cone.

"Nagumo! What are you-"

"Relax! I'm not gonna hound you just because you like ice cream."

Inoko kind of looked adorable when she was embarrassed. Being caught in the act.

I kinda wanted to tease her more, but considering she still had that massive ass sword strapped to her back, common sense got the better of me.

"I'm here for the quest." I said.

Inoko wiped her mouth, as she finished the cone.

"Erm. Yeah. You're... like really early."

"I was just wondering if you wanted some company and stuff."

Inoko glared at me and looked like she was about to say something mean again, but she stopped herself.

"I... Yeah. I suppose I did agree to show you around."

I walked around Arii with Inoko, as she had her arms crossed. That annoyed expression as she would occasionally look around the town.

"Bella mentioned this was your first time watching adventurers, huh. So are you like a veteran?"

"Yes."

I put a hand on my chin.

"Were you in any parties? Like, I'm guessing adventurers are in parties when they go out and do quests."

Inoko stopped, as I nearly bumped into her.

"I was... in many."

"Oh really? That's cool."

"There's nothing cool about being in multiple parties, Nagumo." Inoko muttered.

I felt like I was starting to invade, her guard was up. I didn't wanna push her too hard. According to Bella, Inoko was the way she was for a reason. Whatever that reason was, maybe that was why she was often seen alone.

We sat in awkward silence, until Shia and Shen joined us.

"Heya Inoko!" Shia waved at her, as Inoko managed a slight smile.

Progress!

"What shall be our quest today?" Shen asked.

Inoko pointed at the building we were standing in front of.

"The church of Altri has been under attack by hounds. Our task is to dispatch these hounds, while keeping the church safe."

We went into the church, and was greeted by several children and an old lady, who went up to Inoko.

"Oh my! Is that you, Inko?"

"It's Inoko."

"Inoko! My dear! How have you been?"

"Give me information on the hounds."

Now that was just plain rude, but the lady didn't pay attention to that, as she put her hands on Inoko's face.

"My dear... you should ease up a bit! All that stress can't be good for you. All that self hatred."

"I don't need to hear that. Update me on the situation."

The lady looked disappointed, but she nodded.

"In the forest, several hounds were spotted. And have occasionally come to ravage our garden! It's terrible! We've tried contacting the adventurer guild, but no one seems to be taking the mission. I'm so glad you are here, Inoko. The children have been so afraid ever since."

To prove her point, I glanced at the little brats, who looked pale as ghosts. One little boy went up to Inoko and grabbed her leg.

"Will you help us, Miss?"

Inoko looked at the kid, and for a split second, I thought she was going to drop kick the little brat across the church, but to my surprise, she smiled, kneeling down and patting his head.

"Of course I will. I'll make sure no one gets hurt ever again. That is my promise."

We were about to leave, but several kids grabbed onto Inoko.

"Miss Inoko! Please stay with us longer! No one ever visits us. You're the only person who comes by. We miss you!"

Inoko looked at them sympathetically.

"I need to go."

"Please!" The kids pleaded.

Suddenly, Shen and Shia appeared next to them, as Shia pulled something out of her bag. It was a ball.

"Look!" Shen said, as he picked up the ball and began doing weird tricks with it.

What kind of talents did this idiot dragon have?

The kids stared as Shen began bouncing the ball on his head, as the kids began laughing. Shia began pulling more and more toys and gimmicks out of her bag.

"Don't worry about the kids, Inoko! We can take care of them. You and Nagumo can deal with the hounds!"

Inoko gave Shia a grateful expression.

"Thank you, Shia."

"Anytime, for a fellow party member!"

Inoko stopped, her face clearly showing discomfort.

I raised my hand.

"Inoko...?"

Inoko cut me off, flinging the doors open.

"Shut up and come with me. We have some hounds to destroy."

I followed Inoko and proceeded to cut down enemies left and right. I was wielding a one handed sword that Shia had summoned from her bag. It was ok, for the most part, but because it wasn't a katana, I couldn't call upon Shen's powers through kenjutsu.

But even so, these hounds were light work.

After all, I spent years wandering alone after losing to Danny, fighting monsters left and right using pure instinct.

"Not bad, Nagumo." Inoko said, as she sliced and diced with ferocity. Her whole fighting style was pure aggression. It was kinda frightening and hot at the same time.

"Have you been practicing?"

"Yeah."

We continued fighting until all the hounds were destroyed, along with the nest.

Inoko lowered her sword.

"This should be enough. Let's head back."

"Sounds good."

We began making our way back. I couldn't help but glance at Inoko. The obvious discomfort on her face when Shia called her a fellow party member. Her defensive guard whenever I asked her about any parties she used to be in. Something terrible must have happened to her that would make her so distant from people. I knew I wasn't in the place to ask her about it, but...

"Hey Inoko... when your term as our supervisor expires, will you be watching over adventurers still?"

"I don't know."

"Well... in that case, how about following us on our journey?"

"What?"

"Like you know, as our companion. You have expertise of a berserker and I kind of figured..."

"Absolutely not."

Inoko stopped and turned around.

Her face... it was back to its usual scowl, but it was laced with something else.

It was hurt.

"Well I mean. I'm not forcing you. But the offer is always open for-"

"I will never join an adventuring party. Never."

"Does it have anything to do with what happened in the past-"

Inoko suddenly stepped forward and grabbed my collar, her eyes were starting to tear up.

"Drop it." She hissed.

"You have no idea what I had been through. What my party members went through because of me. I... I can't... I just can't... So shut up. Nagumo. Stop being nice to me. Stop being so kind. I don't deserve... I don't..."

Inoko loosened her grip, as she stepped back, wiping her eyes.

"Sorry." I said.

"Shut up." Inoko grumbled.

"I just... What did Bella tell you about me?"

"Oh." I thought back to what Bella had said.

"She told me that... there were reasons. Circumstances that you had. That's all. And that I should be more understanding. Which is what I'm trying to do. All I know is that you're a high ranking adventurer. Which was why I always wondered if you were in any parties. I didn't mean to offend you. I just thought you were too amazing to be doing this adventurer shit all on your own is all."

Inoko regarded me.

"You are right when you say I was an adventurer. I was a First Class Adventurer, actually. Which is one level below S Class. Which is the ranking of the big three."

"Whoa. So you were like, at the upper echelon."

Inoko put her hand on her arm.

"I... suppose."

"But... I'm guess you quit, huh. After all, now you're a supervisor."

Inoko clutched her arm.

"I quit for the sake of everybody. Because... because..."

"Hey, you don't have to tell me if it's too much. I'll just shut the hell up."

"No... the reason why I'm never in parties is because-"

"Because all the parties Inoko the Berserker have been in, were slaughtered. Absolutely destroyed." A rumbling voice emerged from the woods, as Inoko's eyes widened, drawing her sword and putting herself in front of me.

"Who are you?" Inoko shouted at the darkness, as a massive being appeared. He was wearing the most intimidating armour I had ever seen. He had four arms and was standing at least 10 feet tall. His skin was pure red.

"What the hell... what the hell is that?!"

Inoko stepped back, her face was white as a ghost.

"Hey! Inoko! What's going on? Who the hell is that? That's definitely no hound!"

The monster smiled and bared his fangs at Inoko.

"Inoko... after everything that has happened to your party members. After what happened to your beloved boyfriend Sawano. You have the nerve to be with more adventurers? Really? Come on."

Inoko gritted her teeth.

"Y- You... You..."

"Hey! Who the hell are you!" I growled, aiming my sword at the man, but within the blink of an eye, a flash of red severed the sword in half as I fell backwards.

What the hell was that ridiculous strength and speed?!

"Stay out of this, boy. This is between me, and Inko's younger sister."

Inko's younger sister?!

"Nagumo... you need to get out of here." Inoko muttered.

"The hell? And leave you alone with four arms over here? No way!"

"SHUT UP AND LISTEN TO WHAT I SAY!" Inoko screamed, closing her eyes as tears began to form.

The monster bellowed a sinister laugh.

"So now you're trying to save them. How laughable. Are you trying to buy time? You won't last two seconds against me, foolish girl. You aren't your older sister. The only thing you have in common with her is your ability to attract monsters through that powerful aura of yours. And bring your entire party to their deaths. That is all you can do. That was what happened to Sawano's party. And that was what happened to every party you joined after that."

Inoko yelled in rage, as she charged the monster, who swatted his hand, as Inoko smashed into a boulder, crushing it. But Inoko got out of the rock, her face bleeding.

"Nagumo... please. I'm begging you. Run for it. Just run. Don't look back. I can't... lose any more people."

Inoko charged again, slamming her sword at the monster, but the monster dodged, and launched another strike at her side, causing her to slide across the ground, grunting as she fell into a creek.

"Inko of the Golden Knuckle was fierce. She was special. She was in the Big Three. She possessed that aura. And she had the strength to fight any monster that came her way. But you... you have that same aura, but you lack her strength. So what are you, really? Little Inoko. You are nothing. But a very attractive fly."

The monster launched a punch at Inoko as she took it. Her durability and strength was incredible, but I knew that it was limited. Each blow this monster was landing was making her more and more bloody.

I charged forward, but Inoko held out her hand.

"STAY AWAY!"

I stopped dead in my tracks, as I watched the monster grab Inoko by the hair and slam his fist into her midsection, then her face as she smashed into more trees.

Like hell was I going to let this dude beat up my party member.

I drew my sword and charged, but the monster simply scoffed.

"What is this? Inoko is doing her best to buy you time and you're wasting it? How foolish. And laughable."

I dodged the monster's strike, and brought my sword up.

Give me your power, Shen.

I need it.

Summon the power of the god.

The god of rain.

Let me summon your power, the memories of the swordsmen who fought you. Combined with your divine power. So I protect her.

Rain Style Kenjutsu: Form 2 - Sun Wheel

"What the- god power?!" The monster exclaimed, as I roared, unleashing a vertical slash and slicing the monster's arm clean off, but before I could react, the monster launched a punch my way, which connected and knocked the wind out of me.

"Impressive. But not enough." The monster said, as Inoko got to her feet, breathing heavily, as she charged again, slashing and swinging wildly, but the monster dodged, and sent another punch at her face, causing her to fly through more trees, destroying it.

I got to my feet.

Memories of powers I never knew existed began to flood my mind. And before I knew it, the tattoos on my right arm began to glow green.

I clenched my teeth.

"Yeah. That's the way. Give me all you got, you idiot dragon!"

Rain God Shenlong - HOLY WATER RENEWAL

Rainwater began exiting my arm surrounding me and mending my body.

The monster turned to me.

"You're no adventurer."

I grinned maniacally.

"Absolutely not."

I brought my sword up and charged. The monster swung down, but green electricity surrounded me as my speed amplified exponentially, zipping around, as I closed the distance. The monster stared at me in surprise as I brought the sword back.

It wasn't like Maika's katana. But the sword was still a sword. The technique wasn't optimized for this weapon. But it should be more than enough. It had to.

Rain Style Kenjutsu: Form 1 - Surface Slash

I unleashed a powerful swipe, which caused a massive gash to open on the monster's chest.

"AGAIN!"

I roared, as I stepped forward.

Rain Style Kenjutsu: Form 1 - Surface Slash

The monster began to buckle, but I wasn't done.

Rain Style Kenjutsu: Form 1 - Surface Slash

I stepped forward. One foot after another. Delivering successive slashes.

Rain Style Kenjutsu: Form 1 - Surface Slash

Rain Style Kenjutsu: Form 1 - Surface Slash

Rain Style Kenjutsu: Form 1 - Surface Slash

The monster yelled in pain, as Danny's words rung in my mind.

"Only those who suffered much deserve to be strong. You do NOT. DESERVE. To defeat me. Yeling."

It isn't a matter of who deserves it more.

It's a matter of what is right.

I will become stronger and defeat you. No matter what it takes. Because what you're doing isn't right.

I roared, about to deliver another Surface Slash, but suddenly, the monster caught my sword, lifting me in the air and flinging me away.

"Gah. This rain... It's definitely godly. But too bad for you. You've got the totally wrong element against someone like me."

The monster chuckled, and to my disbelief, his wounds began to regenerate.

Inoko yelled in rage, her body powering up as a storm of power blew all the debris that had buried her away.

"ATLAS!" She roared, as she charged forward, swinging as hard as she could, but she was only taking more punishment, as Atlas punched her in the face, then slammed her into the ground, Inoko's body bouncing as he kicked her into me. The both of us tumbled into another creek, as Inoko struggled to get up, she was panting as her body was covered in scrapes and bruises.

"Inoko, we need to fall back."

"No. Atlas... is mine. He's MY fight. He's too dangerous for anyone else. I don't know what it was that you used. That godly power. But it's not enough. I'm the only person in this party sturdy enough to take his punishment and keep standing. I'm a berserker. Any more strikes he lands on you and it's lights out. So... run. Run Nagumo."

Inoko looked at me, her face covered in tears.

"Stay alive. For me. Because if you die on me, I can never forgive myself."

"Inoko..."

So that was why she was so aloof. So distant from us.

No matter what she did, because she was the younger sister of the Big Three. She was related to Inko of the Golden Knuckle. And because she was her sister, she also had a powerful aura that attracted monsters. But since Inoko wasn't as strong as her older sister, all she could do was attract the monsters, killing her party, and any companion she was with.

A burden like that...

Sawano. That must have been her boyfriend. To lose her boyfriend because of something she was born with...

"Nagumo. I won't ask you again. This is an order, as your supervisor. Leave me."

I gripped my sword. The rainwater that had made up the blade had far since dissipated.

"Don't do this. We can fight him together. We can-"

"No. I... I can't... I don't want to see any more people I care about be hurt. This has to be my fight. My fight alone."

Her fight...

My mind flashed to Shia. The look of pure anger in her eyes when I told her to stay away from the action.

What Inoko was doing...

How was I any different?

"FOUND YOU!" Atlas bellowed, as he picked up a massive tree trunk that was blocking our view, and ripped it away, grabbing Inoko by the throat as she gasped, then slamming her into the ground, over and over, then throwing her into the air.

"You're next, BOY."

"Like... hell... I'd let you DO THAT!" Inoko growled, as she blasted inwards from the sky, slashing her sword on the top of Atlas' head.

"Ah! You bitch!" Atlas stumbled as Inoko roared, slashing as hard as she could. Atlas intercepted the sword, as the towering monster clashed with the battered female adventurer.

Inoko gritted her teeth, her eyes full of fury.

"RUN! Nagumo! RUN!"

I had to leave her. Otherwise eventually she would die, and so would I. I didn't know how long she could last against Atlas. Sure she was tough. She was tougher than all of us in the party. If anybody could take punishment like that, it had to be her. Only she could. But I couldn't just leave her.

"I'm coming back for reinforcements!"

I yelled, as I summoned Shen's power, green electricity sparking around my body as my speed amplified.

"I'll call Shia and Shen. We're coming back for you! No matter what!"

I rushed back to the church, as I found Shia and Shen playing badminton with the kids.

"Guys!" I panted.

Shia's eyes went wide.

"Yeling! What happened to you?! Where's Inoko!"

"We've been ambushed. By... some dude named Atlas. She's currently holding him off all by herself!"

The old lady put a hand to her mouth.

"Did you just say Atlas?! Inoko... that poor girl. No... How could fate do this to her? Has she not been through enough?"

I put my hand on her shoulders.

"I'm going to save her. I need Shen and Shia to come with me."

I turned to the kids, who's eyes were also laced with worry.

"Will Inoko Nee-san be okay?" One little boy mumbled.

"Don't worry you little brats, er I mean little ones. We'll make sure Inoko comes out of this victorious."

Shia and Shen ran next to me as we sprinted to Inoko's location.

"Dammit, we're not going to make it in time!" I growled.

"Then allow me to be of assistance. Mortals. I shall... save our precious Inoko!" Shen announced, as his body began to glow.

"Sh- Shen?!" I said, as Shia and I stared at Shen in disbelief. His body began to transform, elongating, getting longer and longer, until we were face to face with our friend, in his original dragon form.

"What the hell?! You had something like this up your sleeve this entire time?!" I growled.

Indeed. Mah Ye Ling. 90% of power to you. 10% of power to me. But 10% power of The Great Divine Dragon, Shenlong, is more than enough.

"You're... a lot smaller than when I first met you."

Such insolence! Get on my back, mortal boy. Lady Shia! We shall rescue our party member! In the name of the Great Shenlong! No lives shall be lost!

We got on Shen's back as we soared into the air.

"I can't believe Shen can turn into a dragon! All that talk about being a god must have influenced his power when he became an adventurer and learned magic!" Shia said.

I AM a god, Lady Shia!

"Yeling, you need a new sword." Shia said, totally ignoring Shen, as she pulled out a blade out of her bag with her magic. I gripped it.

I made out the sounds of fighting, and my heart stopped, as Shia gasped in horror.

"INOKO!" Shia screamed, as Atlas held Inoko by her hair in the air. She was covered in bloody cuts. Her clothes were torn up, as she scowled at Atlas. She was breathing hard, and her fiery eyes looked like they were about to lose their light.

"I won't... lose to you... never..." She muttered.

"Shen! Fire that big rainwater thingy you did when you first fought me!" I ordered.

I cannot. Not with 10% power.

"What the hell?! After all that talk about being more than enough?!"

"Shia! Let's go!"

Shia nodded, as Shen put us down. Shia then created several hand signals, generating numerous runes, as a large thing appeared from the ground.

"What the hell?! Is that a cannon?!" I exclaimed, as Shia nodded.

"I've been studying magic. I think this will be good."

Shia pulled the string, as a loud boom fired a massive cannonball which caught Atlas in the face. The monster flying back, and dropping Inoko.

My body sparked with Shen's electricity, as I caught her.

"Inoko!" I called to her, as she woke up, struggling to her feet.

"Nagumo... and Shia and... who's... is that Shen?"

Shen roared at Atlas.

Foolish Actiorione. You are no match to a god.

Shen dove inwards and chomped down on Atlas, flinging him into the air.

Let's go.

Rain Style Kenjutsu: Form 6 - Vortex Slash

I yelled, as I spun violently, launching slash after slash like a hurricane at Atlas, causing his body to explode in blood.

"Ergh! You stupid party of fools! You aren't the first party I have slaughtered!"

Atlas grabbed my face, but Shen dove inwards and chomped on him, ripping the monster away from me, but Atlas roared, slamming his fist on Shen's face, causing the great dragon to buckle in the air, but suddenly, another big boom appeared, a magical cannon blast exploded on Atlas' body as he hurtled to the ground with a big

BOOM.

"Gah! You damn summoner!"

Inoko rushed forward, slashing at Atlas' face, wounding him, but Atlas swatted his hand, causing Inoko to fly backwards and slam into Shen again, neutralizing his form as both tumbled into the ground.

I summoned Shen's lightning, and charged forward, launching another slash, but this time, Atlas' face was more serious and ferocious.

"Like I said. Your element is weak against me. Not while I can neutralize it with my regeneration. You cannot win. Foolish kid."

Atlas launched another strike at me as I slid backwards. Then turned to Shia, who pulled out several grenades and lobbed them at the monster, who withstood the explosions. Suddenly, he fell back.

"What the-" I said.

"Flame! It's flame! He's weak to flame!" Shia shouted, as she pulled out a flamethrower, spraying it at Atlas, who walked through the flame with great difficulty.

"Urgh. Not any flame. Little girl. Not the flames of a mere human made weapon such as that."

Atlas grabbed the barrel and ripped it out of Shia's hands, and swung, but Inoko pushed Shia out of the way and took the head dead on, her face smashing into the rocky ground as she cried out in pain.

"Inoko!" Shia called after her, as Atlas towered over her.

"STOP!" I roared.

Rain Style Kenjutsu: Form 7 - Sharp Winds

I thrusted with my sword, as a sharp blast of wind slammed into Atlas' back, but Atlas turned around.

"Your rain and storm powers are nothing to me. The one element that I am weak to, and none of you have. What a shame."

Fire.

Flame.

It had to be that. But I couldn't... I couldn't...

I glanced at my left arm.

Wait.

Could I still use it?

I was unable to call upon Hinokami. But... what did Shen say that day? I was no longer bound to it.

I could wield his power.

ALONG WITH MY FLAMES.

I was no longer bound to the Dogma.

But I still had these tattoos.

Meaning...

I slowly lifted my hand.

Images of my old self appearing in my head. My family. Baba. Mama. Haka.

Then of Squad Four.

And in the center, was a man, with a skull patterned mask.

The opportunity to eliminate them from the world. Yeling Mah. Join me, and you will become one to engulf this world in flames. Like a tsunami. Like an unstoppable torrent of vengeance. Like a tide.

That flame.

Could I really use it? No. I HAD to use it. Because if I didn't. These precious friends I was so given. Out of mercy from some divine force.

I would lose them all.

"What?" Atlas paused, turning to me, as my blue tattoos began to glow, and from the reflection of the water, my brown irises, turned back to its fierce glowing cyan.

"GET AWAY FROM MY SQUAD MEMBERS." I roared.

Level 1 Hinokami: INVERSE TSUNAMI RELEASE

I blasted a massive torrent of blue flame which overwhelmed Atlas. Shen, transforming into his dragon form, quickly flew in and grabbed Inoko and Shia and flew out of the way as fast as he could. The overwhelming fires decimating the entire forest.

"DIVINE FLAME?! WHAT ARE YOU?!" Atlas bellowed, as I continued yelling in rage.

"I... I won't... give up..." Atlas sputtered, as he inched forward.

"No way!" I gasped, as I stumbled back, my ITR wasn't working?!

"I will avenge my family. Inko... she took everybody. She took so many of my kind. Mother. I will avenge her. You can't stop me. No one can!"

Atlas roared, as his body began to harden, black plates forming over his red skin as my flames dissipated, revealing the monster, cladded in a completely new material.

"What the hell?!"

Atlas swung in, as I dove out of the way with Shen's speed, but the shockwave sent me flying.

"Nagumo!" Inoko shouted, as she leapt from Shen's back and landed on Atlas' head, bashing her fist against his head.

"Get off of me! Scum! I will avenge my kind. By destroying her sister!"

Atlas grabbed Inoko's face and slammed her into the ground, but Inoko got to her feet and smashed her fist into his face. Unleashing a one two combo which caused Atlas to stumble back, but Inoko stared at her hands in disbelief. Her knuckles were bleeding.

"The nerve!" Atlas roared, as he swept his hand, catching Inoko in the chest as she flew backwards violently.

Shen landed in front of me as Shia summoned dozens of cannons, running past each one and unleashing a powerful magical blast, but none of them were working.

"I can't dent him!" Shia shouted at me.

I needed something that could bypass that armour. But my sword wasn't enough. I knew that much.

"Mah Ye Ling... her katana. You must use it."

I stared at Shen.

"But... Inoko said, it was for two hands. I only have one."

"Do you? When you wield the godly rainwater of Shenlong?"

I paused. Remembering my dream. Of how I created that hand out of pure rainwater.

I concentrated, as rain began to concentrate, swirling around my green tattoos until a claw like hand manifested where my right hand normally would have been.

"No way."

Atlas marched to me, but Inoko roared in defiance, rushing forward and slamming into the monster's midsection, pushing him back.

"You stupid bitch!" Atlas growled, slamming both fists into her back as Inoko smashed into the ground.

"Whatever it is you're going to do... Nagumo... do it now! I'll buy you time! Just do it!"

Hinokami was the only thing that could end him. But with that armour, it needed to bypass it. The only way was Maika's katana.

"Dual power attributes, Ah Ling." Shen said to me.

I stared at him, then at my tattoos.

Dual power attributes.

I gritted my teeth and leapt into the air.

There was no time to think. I needed to do.

Only action.

I closed my eyes. As Shen's hand gripped the katana. Could I combine styles? I had no idea. But I had to.

Clear your mind.

I took my left hand and placed it on the hilt, as my body swirling with the storm winds and rain of Shen's power, but my left arm began to glow, bursting into flame, drawing the katana of Maika Nagumo, glowing blue with the heat of Hinokami.

I raised the sword into the air as I opened my eyes, focusing on Atlas.

"Do it... Nagumo..." Inoko panted, as Atlas stomped on her face.

"This is over." I roared. Picturing Atlas as Danny.

Level 1 Hinokami...

The katana exploded into blue flame.

Rain Style Kenjutsu...

My body exploded into green electricity.

I slashed down as hard as I could.

DEVIL'S BENEFICENT SEVERANCE

A massive explosion ripped the trees apart. The storms of Shen amplify the slash and blowing everything away as Shen rushed forward in Dragon Form, grabbing Inoko and Shia and flying to the air as the entire forest was decimated outwards by the sheer storm of Shen's power. And at the center... was the blinding blue of Hinokami.

A bright blue line appeared across the centre of Atlas, as he stumbled back, his eyes wide as I landed on the ground. Blue flames were still emitting from the tattoos of my left arm, as green electricity and divine mist surrounded me from the tattoos of my right arm.

"Hate... Avenge... Rage... I... Mom..." Atlas sobbed, as his body began to shut down. His organs were completely severed in half by Devil's Beneficent Severance.

"Atlas..." I said, as I approached him. Maika's katana still in hand.

"You... why did you have to come here... Devil's Flames..." Atlas muttered.

"Because..."

I looked at the sky, as the sheer strike of my new power had parted the clouds. Shen's power causing holy water to rain from above, and a rainbow appearing in the sky. The plants around me and the devastation starting to restore and grow. Roots and leaves sprouting from the soil.

"A life full of vengeance is no life at all. Atlas. Inko hurt you. But this wasn't Inoko's fault. You can't place the blame on people just because of their ties. That's not how you do things."

Atlas sighed, as his body began to crumble, splitting in half.

"Hinokami... you... are not like other Dogma Holders... why... why are you so different..."

I put Maika's katana away, as I watched Atlas dissipate into dust.

"Because I'm not a Dogma Holder. Not anymore. The Dogma selects those it deems as cursed by the world. But that's where he's wrong. We're all born with setbacks. It's what we do with these setbacks that define whether we succeed or not. Everyone's successes are their own. I'm not cursed. I was just given a different set of playing cards."

I turned around from the destruction as I approached Shia, Shen, and Inoko, who's legs buckled and was not leaning against Shia for support, which was kind funny since she was 7 inches taller than her.

Danny. I will stop you.

The right way.

I wasn't cursed. And neither were you. But while I chose to turn my life around and become strong the right way, you took your situation and ultimately threw away who you were.

I will put you to rest. You shouldn't be alive.

This was my fault.

I will be the one to fix it.

Just wait for me.

Rain and Fire

"I want to resign. My position as supervisor to the guild. And my status as an adventurer."

Inoko reached into her black crop top and pulled out a pendant, taking it off and putting it on the desk of the guild receptionist.

"Did Inoko just pull out a pendant from her breas-"

Shia smacked Shen over the top of the head.

"Inoko... my dear are you sure?" Bella asked.

Inoko nodded.

"I... I think I know what I should do. To move forward from Sawano's death. And all my friends who's lives were lost. I've realized running away from my problems will never fix them. So... I don't want to be bound by this past. This feels right."

Bella smiled.

"I'm so proud of you, Inoko. And I'm sure your big sister will be too."

Inoko managed a weak smile.

"I... I suppose."

Bella raised an eyebrow.

"It isn't perhaps because of Nagumo or Shen, is it?"

"WHAT?" Inoko growled, her face beet red as she grabbed Bella by the collar, threatening bloody murder as Bella laughed nervously.

I chuckled, as Shia, Shen and I made our way back to the hostel. But this time, someone new was with us.

"Hey, just for the record, I'm not forcing you to do this. If you don't feel comfortable with this at any time, feel free to let us know." I said.

"No. I want to do this. From now on, I will be part of your party, Nagumo."

"My party?" I blurted out.

"Indeed." Shen said, as he put an arm around my shoulders.

"You brought us all together. You deserve this. Squad Leader Yeling."

My heart twinged in pain.

It felt weird being called that.

Matt... what would he think?

No.

"I refuse to be leader. Not yet. Not until I've proven myself. For now, we're all equals, and-"

"I'll be Squad Leader then!" Shia said.

"Squad Leader Shia!"

I stared at her with a look of disgust and annoyance.

"Excuse me?!"

I gently cleaned Maika's katana, as Shia and Inoko shared a bed.

"I get to sleep with Inoko!" Shia said.

"Ah. That's... great." Inoko muttered.

Shen spread his legs across his bed as I put on my coat, heading for the door.

"Where are you going?" Inoko asked.

"Out. I'll be back later."

I walked down the streets of Arii. A lot of people and shops were still set up all over the place, as adventurers walked by me from either side.

I never imagined this would be my life, after years being in New Ulysses. Where the sight of a single person would piss me off.

"Come on. Every city should have one."

I owed them that much.

I kept walking, until I reached the place.

I entered, and stood before a red room. An old man was tending to the building and glanced at me.

"Rough day, kid?"

I nodded.

"I'm here to do some much needed business. Something I should have done a long time ago."

"It's okay, kid. The dead can wait for a long time. What matters is you do it eventually. Just picture those who you wish to honour, and put in your offering in the flames."

I took off my backpack, removing some items that I had kept with me, ever since I left the Squad Four flat, as I stood face to face with the burning hearth.

I closed my eyes, as I took out the first piece. It was a gold casino coin. I put it into the fire.

"Hey Flint. I... never got the chance to thank you. For keeping my crush with Anna a secret from Matt. To the very end. And you always stood by me and gave me advice. I appreciate you for it. I hope you're resting well with your girlfriend."

I reached into the backpack, and took out the second piece. It was a group selfie of the whole squad. Matt looked so annoyed, and to be fair, it wasn't really a group selfie. It was just Matt and the person behind the camera. Looking at the picture made me smile.

"Whitney. I'm not going to lie. Half the time I'm with you, I fear for my life in case you mistaken me for the enemy. But you're the sweetest sister figure anyone could ask for. Sure you're crazy, haha. But when we need support, you're always there. Whenever Lewis needed support, you were there. So thank you. I'm sure Matt thinks about you from time to time. I know I do."

I took out the last item from my bag. It was a Japanese good luck charm. She had bought each and every one of us one during one of her trips back to her home country.

"Man oh man. Maika, where do I even begin with you. Despite only having the power of illusion, you were one of the best fighters in Squad Four. All those parties and drugs and stuff, just this once, I'll let it slide. Because I owe you so much. For giving me your katana, I feel like you've given me your legacy. First your katana, then your name. It's tough. Really tough. I'll make sure Marcela will be okay if I see her again. I promise."

I watched the fires roar. There was one more thing.

I slowly undid the jade necklace. And held the necklace over the fire.

"Mama. Baba. Haka. I've... done many horrible things. I don't expect you to forgive me. And what I'm going to do next will also be terrible. When I face Danny again. But I want you guys to know I'm doing okay. I miss you a lot. But I won't let grief and self guilt get the better of me. I know the last thing you want is your eldest son to break down cry. I know how much it hurts to watch someone you love be in pain. So I'll do my best too. No more pain. No more hatred. Tidalflame is no more."

I let go, watching as the string catch fire and the jade disintegrate.

"Tch." I muttered, as a tear ran down my cheek.

"Who am I kidding. I'm not okay at all." I managed a slight laugh, as I left the shrine, walking down the street.

Squad Four...

They were supposed to be like my surrogate family.

But because I decided to get myself "KIA", they tried to avenge me, only to get crushed themselves.

Danny was most definitely my responsibility, but unless I fought well and hard, I would only see my mistake be paid by others other than me. I couldn't let that happen anymore. I just couldn't.

"Hey! You." A squeaky voice appeared from the corner. I stopped.

"I don't have any cash."

"I wasn't asking for cash!" The girl said, as she stepped out. She was tan, with white snowy hair and orange eyes.

Just like...

Inoko?

But she looked a lot more petite, reminding me of Shia. And she had a pouty face to top it all off. If my instincts were right... I was looking at-

"Do you have any idea who you're talking to? Are you living under a rock to not know about The Golden Knuckle?!"

Inko was definitely pouting.

"Um. I know about you, yeah."

"Then revere me!"

My eye twitched in annoyance.

This kid!

My hand hovered to my side, hand on the hilt of my sword, but Inko noticed and immediately shot to my direction, and before I knew it, I was disarmed.

Inko tossed my sword up and down.

"Heya look here. You're supposed to treat a member of the Big Three with respect! You stupid rookie! I'm guessing you're a foreigner. Ew!"

"What do you want." I asked, as Inko stopped playing with my sword and walked up to me.

"I heard you took in my little sis."

My heart rate went up.

Oh no.

She better not be one of those overprotective types.

"You're not mad that I uh... took her into our party are you?"

Inko narrowed her eyes.

"Not so much as mad, actually. I'm glad she's finally gotten over her silly fear. She needs to be strong! Well, not as strong as me. It's impossible to keep up with someone like me."

I clenched my teeth.

Inoko... was your older sister always like this? I could tell why you would want to separate yourself from her.

"Why are you here?"

Inko turned to me.

"Nothin much. I just heard that she defeated Atlas. That is something I refuse to believe. It's impossible for little Inoko-chan to beat an Actiorione all on her own. I mean, it's easy for me. I totally annihilated like 99% of that fool's race all on my own. But still. Now I know it wasn't her. It must have been you."

I refused to urge to drop kick this brat.

Wait... she was technically Inoko's older sister.

Why was she so short?

"Hey! What's so funny? Are you holding back a laugh?! Huh?! Hey!"

I found myself struggling to keep a straight face.

"Nothing." I said.

"I don't like being laughed at. I'm warning you. Rookie adventurer." Inko said coldly, her eyes sinister.

"Then you should know..." I said, as my eyes flashed green. Shen's winds surrounding the two of us as the sword left Inko's hand and hovered to me, which I clutched. Inko instantly blasted backwards with her immense speed. But Shen's electricity was coursing through my veins, to the point where I could process her movements a lot easier.

"I spoke to Atlas. Moments before his death. The reason why he was targeting Inoko was because of you. Why did you go and slaughter his clan? Killed his mother? Do you have any idea what kind of anger and vengeance can well up in someone? Yet you boast so easily about it. Have you no shame? No remorse?"

Inko tilted her head.

"What's wrong with slaughtering vermin, Nagumo? Hm? When you step on an ant, are you at all remorseful? Something so insignificant to me, if I paid so much attention to every monster I have destroyed to gain the title of the Golden Knuckle, that would be emotionally draining. I'll end up like Inoko-chan."

I tightened the grip on my sword.

"So you're one of those people. Those people who's ego is through the roof, too much for your own good. Maybe I should fix that for you."

Inko's eyes flashed murderously.

"Watch your next words, Nagumo-san. You seem to be mistaken. You defeated a mere Actiorione, barely. While I, slaughter millions of them easily. Don't get a big head with me. I'll crush you. Just like that."

That bitch.

Level 1 Hinokami...

Rain God Shenlong...

"Then that means you're tough enough for me to not hold anything back."

"Stop!" A voice broke our confrontation, as a taller, significantly more attractive version of Inko ran up to us and stood between.

"Don't! Elder sister. Please don't do this. I'm begging you. Nagumo-san doesn't know any better. I'll talk some sense into him. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."

Inko narrowed her eyes, as her glowing fists dissipated.

"Hmph. Take better care of your men. Stupid sister."

Inoko sighed with relief, as she put her hand on mine. My face turned real hot.

Ah shit.

I'm turning into Vision.

If only Lewis was here to dispel my simp urges with his mighty incel'ness.

"Are you all right, Nagumo. I saw you were out and got worried."

What the hell, was she worried for me?

"AHHHH MANNNNN! THAT'S SO CRINGEY. UGH." Inko shouted at us.

"Geh!" I stumbled back, as Inoko looked at her older sister, bowing.

"S- Sorry. Elder sister. I'll be leaving now. Sorry for troubling you."

"You better be. I'm heading off now. I just wanted to check out your new adventuring friend. Turns out he's a weakling just like you. Shame." Inko said, as she turned around.

"Wait! Elder sister, where are you going?" Inoko called out after her.

"Isn't it obvious? I got a new quest, along with Udomel and Charles. We're going to do what no one has ever done before. We're going to kick this Transplant's ass."

I nearly choked on my own spit.

"What?! Are you insane? You won't win!"

Inko glared at me.

"Yes. I will."

"No, you won't. Trust me on this. I know many people who challenged that dude. No one could beat him. No one in New Ulysses. No one outside of there. No one."

Inko laughed hysterically.

"Are you talking about those idiots with those silly whatchamacallits? Evos?! Of course they wouldn't win. They're all weaklings. I will show this Transplant what true power is."

There was no getting through to her.

Inoko looked at me, her face was complete shock.

"Is.. Transplant really that powerful?"

"Yeah." I said grimly.

"He's a super criminal. The top of the food chain for a reason. No one can beat him. If Inko fights him, even with the help of this so called Udomel and Charles, they still wouldn't stand a chance. I knew some very powerful people who tried to fight him. They couldn't win. If they try to fight him, with that attitude? It's over. It's a suicide mission."

Inoko turned to her sister.

"No... please. Reconsider. Please reconsider. Elder sister! Elder sister!!!" Inoko cried out, as Inko ignored her younger sister and walked off.

"I don't need to hear that from you. You're nothing, Inoko. I'm the stronger sister. The strongest adventurer in Arii. I will show that I am superior. Superior even to those New Ulyssians. I'm the best. The best, you hear me? I'll show Transplant real pain."

"Are you hearing yourself?!" I shouted at her.

"You can't win! You just can't! Face reality!"

Inko suddenly disappeared, materializing before me, her fist wound back.

"NO! ELDER SISTER!" Inoko screamed, but Shen's power coursed through me as I zoomed backwards. Inko screaming in range, giving chase with her superspeed as we zipped and zoomed all over the street, up the buildings and houses.

The two of us leapt into the air, as I took out my sword.

Rain Style Kenjutsu: Form 1 - Surface Slash

I launched an arc at Inko, who laughed maniacally, punching the arc with her hands, then launched a strike at me, the fist caving my skull in, decapitating me.

"NAGUMO! NO!" Inoko shouted, as she ran forward, but Inko turned to her, causing Inoko to stop dead in her tracks, her face chalk white with fear for her older sister.

But obviously, I wasn't dead.

I'm not that much of a bitch.

Rain Style Kenjutsu: Form 4 - Rainbow Mirage

I appeared behind her, my sword held back.

"Dodge this, you three head."

Rain Style Kenjutsu: Form 2 - Sun Wheel

I launched a vertical flip, slashing on the way, but Inko dodged at the last second.

"You little PUNK."

Inko then blasted away using shockwaves, kicking at me, as I blocked it with my sword, but Inko flipped again, launching a punch with shattered the sword into pieces. I fell on my back, as Inko zoomed at my location. I rolled out of the way, seconds before her fist could decimate the concrete behind me.

Inko then rushed to my location, faster than I could react.

Level 1 Hinokami: DEVIL'S TYPHOON

I held out my arms, as a massive blue tornado of fire scorched the entire place, sending Inko back.

"ACK! HOT!" She yelped.

Now. I summoned Shen's power, creating a hand on my right arm, then drew Maika's katana.

Rain Style Kenjutsu: Form 6 - Vortex Slash

I spun violently, the air pressure mixing in with the rainwater and Akuma flame to generate an extremely high powered steam tornado. I brought the sword up, the winds around it violent, occasional green electricity and thunder booming with storm power.

I stomped on the ground, aiming it at Inko.

Rain Style Kenjutsu: Form 7 - Sharp Winds

The blast of sheer power went straight for her, as Inko braced her fists.

"I won't let this stop me. No WAY."

Inko punched the blast with all her might, as a shockwave shook the entire place.

We were totally going to level the entire town if we continued this. But I didn't care.

Never was one to give a shit. Even when I was Tidalflame. Even now.

"That all you got?!" Inko screamed at me, but I zoomed behind her.

Level 1 Hinokami: Faux Devil's Comet

I blasted to her location, using the momentum of Shen's speed, and the propulsion of Hinokami as I launched a strike at her with my foot. Inko blocked it with her hands, due to the sheer speed of the blow, but it was enough for her to slide backwards.

"You little..." Inko snarled at me. Her teeth gnashing.

"I will NOT lose. Because that's how I was raised. To NEVER lose. I will never be weak."

I hesitated.

"Wha-"

Inko kneed me in the midsection as I spat out blood.

Level 2 Intangibili-

My body exploded in pain, my tattoos felt excruciating.

Shit!

I had Level 1 Hinokami, but my face had completely healed. I couldn't use Intangibility.

That split second of instinct from when I was Tidalflame, kicking in at the worst possible moment.

Inko launched an uppercut at me as I flew into the air.

"AAAH!!!" I yelled, as Inko shot to me.

"You'll pay for disrespecting me! You stupid foreigner!"

I felt like blacking out. She definitely broke something. They didn't call her Golden Knuckle for nothing.

Rain God Shenlong: HOLY WATER RENEWAL

My jaw and skull restored itself, as I aimed Maika's katana.

"Come on then!" I yelled back.

I closed my eyes, concentrating, as both my left and right tattoos glowed their corresponding colours. Immense power surging through me.

I'll make you pay for what you did to Atlas.

If it wasn't for your stupid ego trip, Atlas wouldn't have sworn vengeance like that. And Inoko wouldn't have lost Sawano.

All of this was your fault.

Shenlong and Hinokami: DEVIL'S METEOR WATERFALL

My katana glowed blue with Hinokami, and swirled with green electricity and rainwater from Shen.

Inko screamed, as she swung her fist with all her might, we collided, as the two of us landed on the ground. Blood gushed out of Inko's side as she clutched it.

"You stupid foreigner. You dare stain my blouse?"

"You're hurt. I can tell. Don't try that tough girl act on me. That's if you're actually a girl, you aging hag."

"WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY?!" Inko yelled, as she rushed forward with immense speed.

Oh boy.

I brought my katana up, when suddenly, someone stood in front of me, taking Inko's full power punch to the midsection.

Inoko vomited blood, as she fell to her knees.

"INOKO!" I shouted, as I caught her before she could fall on her face. Inko quickly stumbled back, her face full of surprise and fear.

"Inoko-chan! I... I... I didn't mean to!"

Inoko coughed, blood leaked from the side of her face.

"You're hurt. Hey. Don't push yourself. Let me." I said, as I summoned Shen's rainwater, but it wasn't working. Inoko's breathing was turning ragged.

Why wasn't the holy water working on her?! Don't tell me it only worked on me!

"Please. Don't fight any more. Both of you." Inoko croaked.

I glared at Inko with a fiery rage. My eyes lit up a violent cyan.

"You're lucky you weren't facing me four years ago. You would be dead. In the most gruesome way. How could you do that to your own little sister?!"

"I DIDN'T MEAN TO! I SWEAR! I- I-" Inko stammered.

"I just wanted to be strong... I just..."

"Inoko... please. Stay with me. You still have so many adventures to go on with Shia Shen and I! Please. Don't fall asleep. Don't."

"Nag.. Nagumo..." Inoko muttered.

"No. Not Nagumo. That's... that was a name I used to hide my identity."

"Who are... you... then... if not...."

"Ye... Yeling. Mah Ye Ling. The Tidalflame."

"Tidalflame... The Chinese Terrorist?"

Inoko slowly raised her hands as they approached my neck.

No...

Please... don't let it happen again.

I closed my eyes.

"I know. I did the worst things ever four years ago. I don't deserve to be forgiven. I.. just give me a chance. Please god. Please. Please. Please-"

"What are you talking about..." Inoko whispered, as her hands rested on the sides of my face. Her hands felt warm. For the first time ever, Inoko was smiling. Genuinely. The most beautiful smile I had ever seen on a girl.

"You aren't... him anymore... so why... why would... you talk about that..."

I stared at her, tears running down my cheeks.

"You..."

Inoko was breathing. But it was getting more and more faint.

"Yeling... you are the kindest... man I've... so much like Sawano... but so different... You freed... me..."

Inoko's hands went slack, as they were still holding onto my face.

I threw my head back and roared at the sky.

"RAAAAAAAAAAAGHHH!!!" I screamed with rage, throwing my arms out.

"AAAAAAAAAGHHHHHHH!!!!!" I roared, my tattoos glowing brighter and brighter until the entire street shone. I glared at Inko.

"I will... I will..."

I stomped on the ground.

I will destroy you.

I will kill you.

Burn to ash.

Burn.

Destroy everything.

Destroy.

DESTROY!

Level 1 Hinokami Stage Two: COBALT ASSIMILATION

A horn jutted out of the side of my head, as my flames turned blue and purple, melting the concrete, as Inko fell back.

"T- Tidal- Tidalflame!" She screamed, as she scurried back.

"I'll destroy you. I'll tear you apart. I will.... I'LL KILL YOU ALL!"

Inko desperately threw a punch at me, but her fist glanced off my face, as her hand turned black, burning to a crisp.

Inko screamed in pain as she fell back, staring at me in pure utter horror.

I grabbed Maika's katana with my one hand. I didn't care if it was just one hand.

Nothing mattered.

The worst technique did not matter.

When everything burns before you.

Before the Great Akuma's Flames. Before the Devil's Flames. I said, as I lifted the katana.

"AH LING! THAT IS ENOUGH!"

Shen shouted at me, as he ran up to me, but my sheer temperatures were too much, as Shia and him backed away.

"Hot!"

I stomped forward. My footsteps melting the ground.

"Yeling!" Shia shouted. Shen joined her.

"YELING!" Shen and Shia shouted together after me, as my rage was overtaking my body. All I wanted was to see Inko burnt to a crisp.

Mah Ye Ling.

Shen's voice resonated before me, as his dragon form hovered in front of me, before Inko.

Is this how you want it to end? You reverting back to Tidaflame? The relentless, cold blooded killer that you so hated?

"She killed Inoko!"

And that gives you a reason to kill her? How different are you, from Transplant?

I paused, my eyes wide in shock.

"I-"

Let it go. Mah Ye Ling. You are a good person. Do not let the Great Akuma take over you like that. His rage is his own. Not yours. You aren't bound by the Dogma anymore. You are free, free from that hatred to live with us. Don't give it all in and throw it all away.

"You said it yourself! You used to do messed up things! The Yeling Mah I knew. The Yeling Mah who would come home with groceries every day, and put the wrong things in the wrong part of the fridge! That is the Yeling I knew! Don't let this monster take you over!!! We were supposed to cure my curse, weren't we?! Weren't we?!"

Shia screamed, her hand over her chest as I turned to her, my demonic face. That horn. That rage in my eyes...

"I... I..."

Will you choose to walk the path of Transplant? What will you do once you killed Inko, Ah Ling? What will you do then? Keep killing? Killing the people who love you?

"No! I... I.... AAAAUGHHHH"

I clutched my head, dropping Maika's katana on the ground, as my horn slowly receding back into my head.

"I am... I am... Mah Ye Ling. I am... not Tidalflame..."

The blue and purple flames began to lose its stability, flickering.

"I am not a killer. I am... myself..."

I breathed heavily, as the flames turned pure blue, the purple dissipating, as the flames themselves, returning to my tattoo.

I fell to my knees.

Inko stared at me, as the destruction all around us continued burning.

"Inoko..."

"Interesting." Another voice appeared, as a man approached Inko, lifting his finger, as all the damage that was done to the world was being reversed.

Inko stared at the man.

"Charles..."

Charles Ainsworth regarded me, as I watched the damage of the surroundings being undone. Was this the power of the fastest adventurer in Arii?

"Hm."

Charles then helped Inko to her feet.

"Are you really going to waste your energy fighting these ants? Or are we going to save it for Transplant?"

Inko looked down, holding back her anger.

"No. Charles. We are going."

Charles looked at us one last time, before leaving. Something about him felt familiar.

I ran up to Inoko, as Shen cradled her body.

"Inoko..." I muttered.

"Well now! I am glad you have returned to your senses, foolish mortal boy!" Shen said, with sudden enthusiasm.

"You stupid dragon! Now isn't the time to be making jokes. Read the damn room!" I snapped.

"Oh, do you mean our dear Inoko? She is fine."

"FINE?! Her internal organs are probably non existent after what her stupid older sis did!"

"Nothing my holy water cannot fix."

"I already tried."

Shen raised an eyebrow.

"Pfft. The holy water you wield is borrowed power. The holy water I use, is the genuine thing."

Shen lifted his hand, as I expected some magical green energy orb to form, then suddenly, the God of Rain plunged his face into hers, going for a mouth to mouth kiss.

"WHAT THE HELL?!" I roared, but Shia held me back.

Inoko's eyes flew open, as she looked at me, then at Shen, who was still kissing her.

"MMF! MMMF!" Inoko screamed, kicking Shen in the divine crotch, then body slamming The God of Rain onto the ground.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" She exclaimed, as Shen curled up in a fetal position.

"Just... doing godly things... dear...Inoko..." Shen went slack.

Oh god, she killed Shen!

I ran forward, as did Shia, wrapping Inoko in a hug.

"I thought I lost you!" I sobbed.

"Nagumo? What... what happened?"

I stared at her.

"What do you mean what happened? Inko hit you in the stomach and-"

"I know... but... I don't remember anything else that happened."

So she didn't know about my real name? What the hell was that heart to heart?! Was it all a waste?!

Inoko's eyes widened, as she looked at the distance.

"Elder sister! She went off to fight Transplant! We need to stop her!"

"I know. But we don't even know where Transplant is. Chances are, they're probably just as lost as we are."

Shia put a hand on her chin.

"Let me do some digging. Maybe I might be able to figure out where he is. And rescue them or even stop them before they could do anything."

I sighed, as I looked at Inoko, who's eyebrows were furrowed, full of worry.

"She'll... be fine. I think. I saw Charles in action. That dude's got some insane speed. If things go south, I think he should be fast enough to bail them out. Your older sis will be fine."

Inoko gave me a grateful look.

"I hope so."

Shen stretched his arms.

"Well, mortals! It is time for this Great God of Rain to go back to bed! Let us head back to the hostel. And you, Mister Nagumo. No more late night walks! What a disaster!"

"Geh! You!"

Shia put a hand on my shoulder.

"Shen is right, Nagumo. We should head back. After all, it was Shen who brought Inoko back. Let's given him a pass."

I grumbled, as we made our way back to the hostel. The four of us.

But Shia was right. As with Shen. These guys... they were our party now. My Squad.

I will cherish them, and make sure they're okay.

And they will cherish me and make sure I'm okay.

So we will look after each other and make sure none of us worry.

I looked at Inoko again.

I'll stop your sister. By force if necessary.

Now that I know I can still use Stage Two... that's a game changer. If I could pair that with Shen's power...

I stood a chance against Danny. A slim one. But better than none.

The First Artifact

"What do you mean we can't go after Elder Sister?!" Inoko began strangling Bella, who urged her to calm down.

"Please, Inoko dear. We are not in control of the Big Three. But their conquest to take down Transplant must only be done by them alone. Any other adventurers will simply be dead weight, slowing them down. As sturdy as you come, being Arii's Berserker, even you can't withstand Transplant's power."

Inoko looked like she was about to turn the entire guild into splinters, but Shia held her back.

"Inko should be fine. She fought toe to toe with Ye- I mean Nagumo. And we saw how fast Charles was. She is in good hands."

Shen nodded.

"I agree. The one known as Charles Ainsworth seems to have sufficient speed to provide a feasible retreat tactic should that be required."

"Hey!" I protested.

"It wasn't toe to toe. I was winning."

Shia gave me an unconvinced look.

"Sure you did."

We went back to the hostel, and Inoko didn't seem too happy.

"Elder Sister!" She growled, kicking the table over and knocking my playing card castle to the ground.

"What the hell! That took me four hours to make!" I exclaimed.

Inoko sat on the bed and buried her face in her hands.

"They say Transplant wields the strength of multiple gods. Is that true? Nagumo."

"Yeah." I confessed.

I didn't want to keep piling bad news on Inoko like that, but it would have been equally bad to just lie to her.

"As for as I know, he has the powers of God of Death Yama, God of Water Kanghui, Wind God Lei Shen, dozens of ancient Chinese relics, weapons, and numerous numerous evos."

"Great." Inoko muttered.

"But as far as I know, I don't think he has speed rivalling Charles. IF that's the case, he might have an edge."

I know I wasn't putting a convincing argument, but Inoko nodded.

"I suppose. I just... wait. Shia, what is that?"

Inoko pointed at Shia's chest.

"H cups." Shen said, with a straight face. Followed by the fastest slap I had ever seen from Shia.

"Not that! It is the curse Focal gave me. The day he put this curse on me, he told me I only had four months to find the cure or else I would die. So I did some digging, and now we're here, the town of Arii where the first clue is."

My heart nearly skipped a beat.

How did I forget?!

We were on this journey for Shia. The whole point of us banding together was to help find her cure! How could I have been so ignorant!

Inoko had a similar reaction, as she put a hand to her mouth.

"Oh god. I... I didn't know. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. This entire time, I was pushing to go and find Elder Sister, when all I was doing was pulling you away from your quest. Forgive me."

Shia put her hand on Inoko's head, patting it and ruffling her white hair.

"You're so sweet, Inoko! It's okay. You don't need to apologize for anything. You didn't know. Shen and Nagumo on the other hand..."

"Geh!" I stepped back.

"How could you forget about my curse! You were the reason this thing is on my chest now!"

"I- Uh- You- Shen? Shen!"

I turned to Shen, who was still blacked out from Shia's slap.

Shia shook her head.

"Whatever. The point was, we came here for a reason. When I was doing research about my curse, I learned that the only way to break it was to collect artifacts. Three to be precise. These artifacts would be used to take down the guardian in this Chinese province. Once the guardian is defeated, we should have the curse broken. That's the gist of it."

I blinked.

"Can I have that in a flowchart or something."

Shia rolled her eyes.

"I just said that was the gist of it! Look. The reason why we came to Arii, is because the first artifact is here. While you were out exploring the town, so was I, the libraries. From what I can understand, the first artifact is housed by this being called Alciel."

"Alciel?!" Inoko blurted, her eyes wide in shock.

"That's... not good is it." I muttered.

Inoko gripped her crop top.

"Shia, just how bad is this curse that you would resort to fighting Demon Lord Alciel of all people?"

"Oh great. It's a Demon Lord. Just our luck." I grumbled.

Shia glared at me.

"Thanks, Captain Sunshine! But yes. To get the first artifact, we need to take it from Alciel's body. Apparently, he's holed up in his castle somewhere. So now we have to find a way to infiltrate it."

Inoko gripped her sword.

"Are you sure that this artifact is in Demon Lord Alciel's body? It's said that Alciel is the most powerful being in Arii. His generals alone were powerful enough to give Udomel trouble. And Udomel is part of the Big Three."

Shia nodded.

"I... I know this is a lot to ask for. But-"

"No. Shia." Inoko put a hand on hers.

"I will support you. Demon Lord or not. I will take on anybody to make sure you get better. Count me in."

Shen perked up.

"A Demon Lord you say."

I looked at Shen. Of course Shen would join in this fight. He had to. After all, he was a god. I was sure that he had a bone to pick with Demon Lords-

"Count me out!"

"HUH?!" I growled, grabbing Shen by the collar and shaking him back and forth.

"What do you mean 'count me out'?! You're coming with us!"

"It is beneath me to sully my hands with a wannabe god. Demon Lord. What a jest!"

I let go of Shen.

"Okay. I guess we'll just take down Alciel without your help. After all. You don't even have the strength of a god anymore. That's one L. Now you're backing down from a Demon Lord. Another L."

Shen shot to his feet.

"You dare call me a coward?! There is none greater than Shenlong!"

"Then go and prove it!"

"I will! I shall bring this... Demon LORD. To his knees!"

Shia put a hand on her chin.

"Now the main challenge is finding a way to infiltrate the castle. Ugh. I guess another problem for another day."

Spoiler alert.

There was no need to worry about that.

Because the next day, Alciel brought the fight to us.

"ALL ADVENTURERS WHO CAN FIGHT! GATHER TO THE MAIN GATE. THIS IS AN S CLASS SUPER THREAT!" Bella shouted from up high.

Inoko rushed to the main gate along with the rest of us.

"What's going on?! What's an S Class Super Threat?" I asked Inoko.

"We always have threats that come by once in a while. But it never goes past B Class. S Class... this is... I've never encountered one before. But Arii has encountered one in the past. Long ago."

Another adventurer ran next to us.

"Yes. When the guild was just forming. The first S-Class Super threat. Was when Alciel's army invaded us directly. It was full fledged war, and we lost many. We had lost that day, but Alciel, not satisfied with the battle, decided to draw half his forces back. That act of mercy was what allowed Arii to grow in response to that threat. And from there, did the Big Three form. When united, they repelled any threat. Alciel got more than he asked for. But now... now that they've gone to fight Transplant..."

"Alciel's back." I grumbled.

"With a chip on his shoulder." Inoko said.

We finally met up with hundreds of adventurers at the main gate, as we all banded together.

"You guys." One adventurer muttered, turning to us.

"Any old folks remember the first S Class Threat? Ol' Demon Lord Alciel's back. With a vengeance. But this time, we don't have the Big Three to save our asses. It's our chance to shine. We will protect this city with our lives!"

"YEAH." The adventurers shouted back, as I looked at the massive army in the distance.

"Holy shit." I muttered.

Shen regarded me.

"Hinokami should be sufficient, yes?"

"Not when we have so many adventurers around. And even then, these guys have magic right? They won't be taking a full blast like the numerous enemies I scorched in the past."

Inoko clenched her teeth.

"Elder Sister... you called me weak. Well. Now is my chance to show you just how much stronger I've become."

Shia put an arm around her.

"You will. Because you have. I believe in you."

From the distance, I noticed one man who held up a sword. He had very long white hair, reaching down to his feet, and black demonic armour. I was guessing that dude was Alciel.

And just as Alciel lowered his swords, a massive horde of ogres roared, charging.

"ARCHERS!" A man's voice appeared behind us, as a flurry of arrows came flying at the ogres, who brandished their shields.

"MAGES!"

Several mages began lifting their staffs, bombarding the front lines with magical spells, but suddenly, Alciel shouted something, and one man stood forward, holding up his hand, turning the spells into ice.

"General Azoth!" An adventurer said.

"Spells won't work! We need to fight! All of us!"

"Agreed!"

"For Arii!"

A battlecry erupted from our side, as everybody charged for all out war.

"This won't work. Not while General Azoth is there. One General was enough to pressure a member of the Big Three. We need to do something about it, otherwise everybody is going to die!"

Inoko said.

"Leave Azoth to I." Shen said.

I turned to him.

"Uh, are you sure?"

Shen grinned at me, baring his dragon fangs from his handsome face.

"Have faith in your guardian deity, mortal boy. 10% is more than enough for small fry such as him."

I grinned at him back.

"Then kick his ass. Otherwise I won't ever let you live it down."

We charged, as Shen leapt into the air, transforming into a dragon and charging Azoth.

"Is that a dragon?!" An adventurer shouted.

"I'm not complaining! He's on our side!"

I drew my sword, as I slashed at a nearby orc, tearing him apart as Inoko yelled, charging another one head on and bombarding them like a bull, saving one adventurer's life.

"Inoko the Berserker! I thought you retired!"

Inoko turned to him.

"Yeah. But I will always be there for Arii. Always."

The adventurer wiped the blood off his mouth.

"Damn straight."

I slashed and slashed, as I heard screaming and yelling of people on our side.

"What is that?" I shouted.

Shia clutched onto me.

"One of Alciel's generals. She goes by the name of Mistress Deathweaver. Her hair can change shape."

We entered the fray, as Inoko stopped, staring at the numerous bodies of adventurers she probably knew.

"Oh ho ho? Inko's baby sister? Are you here to try to play hero? Well, looks like you're a bit too late."

"Bastard!" Inoko growled, holstering her giant sword and yelling in rage as she charged Deathweaver, who launched a blast of hair at her, but Inoko dodged and slashed, catching Deathweaver.

"Not bad!" Deathweaver giggled, as the hair changed trajectory catching Inoko in the back of the head and slamming her to the ground.

"But now, I will send a message to Inko. With her little sister's blood!"

KABOOM.

Deathweaver buckled, staring at the burnt ends of her hair, as the smoke cleared, revealing Shia with her cannon.

"Inoko is more than just Inko's little sister! She's an adventurer! The sturdiest of them all! She never gives up! Don't you dare underestimate her!"

"Foolish girl!" Deathweaver exclaimed, as she sent another blast at Shia, who ran out of the way and pulled several smoke grenades out of her bag, blocking her vision.

"Inoko! Nagumo! I'll hold off Deathweaver! You guys take on Alciel!"

I didn't want to leave Shia all alone to Deathweaver, but her little bag of goodies was so far the only effective thing that was working against the General. I just had to trust in her wit. Long enough for me to take down the Demon Lord.

We continued fighting, as one adventurer joined us.

"This your party? Inoko?"

Inoko nodded.

"Yeah. Yeah, they are."

"I never thought you would be the type of person to turn that curse of yours around. I respect that."

"I.. I was invited to the party." Inoko said.

"Doesn't matter. You had the courage to still stand and fight with new comrades. Any person who had went through the trauma you did would give up. So for that, I respect you. And your party... I'm guessing it's the little summoner girl and that dragon right? It's because of them we're finally able to stand a chance."

"I-"

Suddenly, a roar erupted from the fighting, as adventurers retreated.

"Oh god. What now." I muttered, as loud footsteps ran up to me.

"DODGE! NAGUMO!" Inoko called out to me, as adventurers were being thrown left and right and before I knew it, a giant brown minotaur was charging me head on.

"Kid!" The adventurer yelled at me, pushing me out of the way and taking the blow head on.

"No!" Inoko roared, as she ran in an arc, and charged the Minotaur, stopping it dead in its tracks.

"RAAAH!" Inoko pushed the Minotaur away, and slashed with all her might, lopping off its snout.

The minotaur stumbled back, as numerous of Alciel's monsters tried to surround Inoko, but the Minotaur turned at them, roaring at them as they all backed off.

Inoko gritted her teeth.

"A challenge. Huh. I welcome it. General Taurus!"

"General? Inoko, you can't-"

"I know. Nagumo. I can't win against a General. But what I can do is withstand his hits. That's what I do best. I will hold him off. You need to be the one to defeat Demon Lord Alciel. It has to be you. No one else in Arii can do it. And..."

Inoko turned to me, determination in her eyes.

"Not even Elder Sister can. I confidently believe you have what it takes to surpass even her. So go. Nagumo. Take him down, not just for me, but for everyone in Arii who has died to that devil's schemes."

The Minotaur roared, slamming the ground, but Inoko dodged, slashing back and clashing with the giant monster. The ogres and monsters were all surrounding the two, as were the adventurers, watching their duel.

"TAKE HIM DOWN! INOKO!"

"YOU CAN DO IT!"

"INOKO! INOKO! INOKO!"

More and more adventurers cheered at Inoko, who gritted her teeth, smiling through the strain.

"I am... more than just Inko's little sister. General Taurus. I am... MYSELF!"

I summoned Shen's speed, as I blasted forward, clearing enemies left and right, until I got to the centre of Alciel's army, but Alciel only smiled at me, entering his carriage.

"Come, then. If you have what it takes. Enter this carriage, and show me your resolve."

I looked around me, realizing all the monsters who were with the carriage had backed off, making a path for me.

"Another foolish adventurer who has read too many stories."

"Can I eat him after Lord Alciel finishes him off?"

"No. Give it to our beautiful Mistress. Only she deserves the disemboweled body touched by his Greatness."

I walked to the carriage, as I opened the door to be greeted with pitch black darkness. I stepped in, my surroundings warping, as I found myself on a massive bronze platform, decorated with numerous ancient scribing.

The platform was surrounded by a purple and golden flame. Almost like a demonic arena.

"You are no ordinary adventurer. I sense God Ki in you." Alciel's voice boomed in the entire arena, as several lotus petals swirled before me, gaining shape until I stood before the Demon Lord of Arii. His demonic black and red armour and knee length white hair.

"I'm here to take you down." I said.

"Is that so?"

I drew readied my sword, my left arm bursting into blue flame, wrapping it in a shroud of Akuma flame.

Rain God Shenlong: HOLY SURGE

My body burst with power, green electricity surrounding me. I shot forward, striking as hard as I could with blinding speed, but the blade was stopped by Alciel's finger, to my shock.

"Are you underestimating your opponent, Yeling Mah?"

My eyes went wide.

"How did you know my name?!"

Alciel gave me an unimpressed expression.

"I know many things. I am a Demon Lord. I know all about The Great Akuma's Hinokami vessel who went against the Dogma and bounded to Shenlong. But even with the power of the Great Celestial Dragon, you were barely able to defeat Inko. Who struggled greatly against my Generals. So do you understand now, Yeling? Why you cannot possibly. Defeat me?"

Alciel's fingers wrapped around the blade, and his grip closed, shattering the sword as I fell backwards, Shen's power coursing through me as I zipped backwards, narrowly dodging Alciel, who leapt into air and slammed his fist into the ground where I initially was. The entire arena shook violently.

"The one who wields that unusual vision power. Lewis Greer. He placed a curse on your friend in an attempt to reawaken your power. But he is as ignorant as you, to believe that I am just a mere obstacle. I was here. When The Great Akuma ravaged the land. All Demon Lords know his power. And you, Yeling Mah, will never reach her."

"Who is her?"

Alciel smiled, as he disappeared, appearing behind me.

"Aelienne. The first Hinokami vessel."

A sharp pain exploded at my midsection as I coughed out blood. I stared at my stomach, as Alciel's hand had sprouted from it. Alciel kicked me as I fell flat on my face, skidding to the other side of the arena until half of my upper body was hanging over the side. Debris from Alciel's first fist attack had fallen over the edge, into the infinite darkness.

I summoned Shen's holy water and healed my wound, rolling out of the way before Alciel could strike me down again with his ridiculous strength.

"You wield Shenlong's powers along with the Devil's Flames. But your mastery over both is so amateurish. This is why you can never defeat me. It truly is a waste."

I summoned Shen's rain, forming a hand as I drew Maika's katana.

Rain Style Kenjutsu: Form 4 - Rainbow Mirage

Alciel rushed forward, swatting his hand and shattering the mirage, grabbing my by the throat.

"How foolish you are, Yeling!" Alciel smiled maniacally.

Level 1 Hinokami - DEVIL'S TYPHOON

I roared, unleashing a massive blast of blue flame outwards, causing Alciel to leap back, as I stomped on the ground.

Hinokami and Shenlong: DEVIL SURFACE SLASHES

Green electricity burst around my body, amplifying my speed as I slashed at supersonic speed, releasing a combination of fire and rainwater slashes at Alciel, who darted to the side with that same ridiculous speed, his cape fluttering in the wind.

I held out my hand, clenching my teeth, my face wild.

Level 1 Hinokami - INVERSE TSUNAMI RELEASE

I blasted a massive torrent of flame, as Alciel brought his arms behind him, running at supersonic speed across the circumference of the arena, outpacing my aim.

I brought my foot back, summoning Shen's winds as I continued the stream of fire from my arm, propelling myself into a corkscrew to his direction.

The two of us clashed, the force rattling the entire place.

"Disappointing." Alciel, said, pushing my hand away, grabbing me by the face and slamming me into the ground as I momentarily blacked out.

"Gah!" I yelled, slashing with Maika's katana at Alciel, who darted back. I spun to my feet, rushing forward.

I couldn't land any hits on this dude with ranged attacks. He was just too fast.

I had to close that distance.

And fight him head to head.

Alciel tried to dodge, but I continued pursuing him until we were in range with one another.

Rain Style Kenjutsu: Form 2 - Sun Wheel

I slashed downward, as Alciel dodged, throwing a jab at me, which caught me in the face, but I continued letting Shen's holy water douse me, healing me.

"Interesting use of Shenlong's divine rain." Alciel remarked, throwing jabs at me like a boxer. I couldn't dodge him, he was far too fast, but I was in a good spot.

I was healing as much as he was dealing out damage.

"I ain't done." I growled, slashing up, causing Alciel to leap backwards, but I already figured out his movements.

Alciel's eyes widened.

"Rainbow Mirage again, huh." He muttered, as he turned around, seeing me behind him.

Rain Style Kenjutsu: Form 7 - Sharp Winds

I thrust with all my might.

"You're finished! I'm taking that artifact back with me!" I yelled, but suddenly, the sword stopped midair.

"What the-"

Alciel held up his finger, as I suddenly fell to my knees.

Gravity manipulation! That was his power!

No wonder he was so fast.

So strong.

"Gaaaaah!" I roared, trying to get to my feet, but Alciel approached me, his face murderous.

"It was fun. Yeling. But quite frankly, I have an agenda of my own. I cannot waste any more time with you."

"What... don't... trust your own army? You're a shit Demon Lord." I taunted, which probably wasn't the greatest idea, because Alciel's face contorted in annoyance, increasing the gravity and slamming me into the ground.

"No. Not when... your friends are on that other side."

"What? No. I'm not done."

"You fear for their safety. I will end them."

"No you won't!"

"And what can you do? You cannot defeat me. My gravity is already too much for you."

"GRRRARRRR!!!"

I needed that power again.

Control it.

That rage.

I can't lose another family.

"No.... WAY!" I yelled, the blue tattoos on my arm growing and evolving, racing up my face until a horn jutted across the side of my head.

Level 1 Hinokami Stage Two: COBALT ASSIMILATION

I got to my feet, readying Maika's katana.

"BRING IT ON." I seethed.

Alciel smiled, rolling up his sleeves.

"Come then."

I roared, charging with Maika's katana with new speed and power, pressuring Alciel as the two of us clashed, exchanging blows across the arena.

"You fight with dormant power. How interesting."

"Nothing interesting about you getting your ass kicked, Alciel!"

Rain Style Kenjutsu: Form 8 - Four Seasons

I slashed with immense power, Alciel dodged the first two, but the third slice severed his armour, and the final slash caught him in the face, as Alciel stumbled back in shock.

"You dare mark me?!"

"Hell yeah I do!" I roared, as I rushed in for the kill.

No holding back.

I needed to end this as fast as possible. My friends needed me.

Level 1 Hinokami Stage Two...

Rain Style Kenjutsu: Form 2...

I raised Maika's katana up high above the Demon Lord, who was still startled from the fact that his pretty face just got a brand new scar.

BLUE SUN WHEEL

"Die!" I yelled, slashing down as hard as I could, but to my disbelief, Alciel reached out and caught Maika's katana with his bare hands.

"You... STUPID MORTAL."

Alciel tightened his grip, and his gravity influence as I felt my body press from all directions. Immense pressure as I felt like my body was about to crush inwards.

"AAAAH!" I yelled in pain, my body exiting Cobalt Assimilation.

I fell to the ground, with Alciel towering over me with Maika's katana in his hand.

"How dare you mark my face? How dare you talk so freely against a DEMON LORD."

"You... needed that. Ego check..."

Alciel glared at me with malice.

"She... she would never... my beautiful face. Ruined by a stupid mortal boy."

"She...?"

Alciel clenched his teeth.

"Dude, who cares if you have a scar man." I reasoned, but Alciel was not having it.

"You wouldn't understand. Yeling. You never once felt the embrace of a woman."

The hell was that low blow?

I watched as Alciel closed his eyes.

"All this power. All the power as a Demon Lord. Do you think I went through all this out of sheer greed? I became strong for another. Unlike you, who chose to contract Level 1 out of jealousy for others in your world. Elise must never know what I became, and now that I am marked by your blade... I am forever changed. My face is forever changed. She will know! She will know..."

Alciel turned to me.

"She will know her beloved brother threw away his life to save hers."

And to my absolute horror, Alciel closed his grip, as I watched...

The blade of Maika Nagumo. The last remnant of Squad Four I had.

Shatter into pieces.

"DESPAIR. Yeling Mah. You took from me. So I will take from you! You're familiar with the Dogma of Equivalent Exchange, are you not?!"

"NOOOOO!" I yelled, as I tried to pick at the pieces of my shattered weapon, but Alciel angrily swatted his hand as I rushed to the edge of the platform to try to scavenge whatever was left, but all of the shards fell down the side into the abyss.

"M- Maika... no..." My voice left me, as I held out my hand.

"This fight is over. But I am not satisfied. With just defeating you. In a way you won, Yeling. No matter what I do to you now, you have already won."

Alciel grabbed my head and slammed me into the platform, and everything went black.

"What's wrong, Ah Ling?"

"Huh?"

I slowly raised my head. Where was I?

Everything was so dark.

But the woman in front of me, she was dressed in a white gown.

"Ma...?"

Mama knelt in front of me, putting a hand on my head, as I felt warmth spread across my body.

"Soh Gwah. Silly Ling Ling. Did that mean boy bully you again?"

"I..."

I was definitely tripping. I closed my eyes.

"He's too strong. I don't know if I have what it takes. They're counting on me. But I don't have the strength to beat Alciel. And he's the first artifact... I can't even imagine how strong the guardian is going to be. And even then... there's Danny. There's so much-"

"So you're going to give up? That's real bitch made, man."

"What?" I opened my eyes. My mother was replaced with Lewis, who stared at me coldly with no remorse. Like one of those stares when he found out I started watching a shit anime.

"You're going to give up because the enemy is too strong?"

"Well what the hell am I supposed to do?! I can't just pull some ass pull no jutsu like that ninja anime you're obsessed with!"

Lewis disappeared, as I found myself speaking to nothing.

No. Not nothing.

I focused my sight upwards, until I saw the silhouette of an enormous man. And facing him was a smaller man.

I knew him right away.

"Matt..."

Maika's voice appeared all around.

Cuz this is how Matt operates. Even if he dies, he's going to give his all against a stronger opponent. That's how he always was back then. And that's how he always is now. It might look like he's always the buzzkill Squad Leader who does paperwork, but in reality, he has been taking almost all of the hard missions himself, without even telling the others. Why do you think we have so much free time on our hands?

"Do you remember, Yeling?" Whitney asked me, as she helped me to my feet, along with Lewis, Maika, and Flint.

Matt slashed at Urca, cutting him apart then glared at me with his one eye. His arm was smoking with a black blade.

That darkness... he manifested his own weapons.

"Of course I remember. That battle with Urca. I surpassed my limits. We all went and gave it our all."

Matt regarded me.

"Use everything. Every possible thing you have. Because this world is unfair. You said it yourself. So if it's unfair, you need to fight with everything you have. Or you will lose. Your enemies will be stronger than you. Every single time."

Use everything.

I looked at my stumped of a hand. I was able to create a replacement with Shen's powers...

What was stopping me from creating weapons?

I concentrated, wind and rain surrounding me, until two swords appeared. One in my left. And the other, a hand had manifested, wrapped around another blade. Both constructs glowing bright green with light.

I looked at Matt again, as the vision slowly faded, replaced with reality of the arena Alciel had created. I slowly turned around, facing a startled Demon Lord.

"Thanks Matt. Always coming in when it's clutch. I owe ya one."

I crossed my blades together, green sparks and electricity surrounding me as I summoned Hinokami's flames once more through Cobalt Assimilation.

"I'm not finished. Demon Lord Alciel. Let's see you try to break my shit now. I'll just keep making more."

Alciel sneered with rage.

"You stupid mortal. I will show you true despair."

Alciel stepped forward, but paused, as I hesitated.

"What the..."

Alciel looked back.

"My generals..."

I chucked, as Alciel glared at me.

"Shia... Shen... Inoko... you guys are amazing."

Alciel gritted his teeth.

"I must help them... but I must face you... no..."

I rushed forward, taking full advantage of his disoriented state, slicing down as hard as I could.

New memories of warriors that Shen had faced flooded my mind, following the weapons I was now wielding.

Rain Style Double Sword Technique: WILD LOTUS

Alciel stumbled back as I unleashed a wild flurry of slashes with my twin blades, cutting into his armour.

"Enough!"

Alciel sent a strike at me which shattered my weapons, but I spun around, summoning a pole arm, the weapon wreathed with Hinokami's scorching flames.

Rain Style Polearm Technique: CHINESE BLADE DANCE

I sent a flurry of jabs at Alciel, as he became confused with my constant switching of techniques.

"How do you know so many styles?!"

Jokes on you.

I didn't.

This was all the styles of warriors who faced the Great Shenlong in the past. Their memories flooding my mind through pure instinct, converging like a river, forming this Rain Style.

Alciel roared in rage, trying to close the distance, but I unleashed another flurry of slashing, spinning the pole arm with lightning speed, and generating a powerful cyclone of flame as I directed it to the Demon Lord, who tried to escape the vortex, but was pulled in to the fiery inferno.

"YELING!!!" Alciel screamed, unleashing a gravity explosion which knocked me back, but I concentrated, summoning another set of weapons, blades attached to chains, and threw it at the platform, on both sides of Alciel as I pulled, launching myself to the Demon Lord, my fist cocked back.

Level 1 Hinokami Stage Two: DEVIL'S STARSHOOTER

I launched a punch at Alciel, blowing him back. I landed on the ground, picking up my bladed chains and lashing at him at a distance, injuring him significantly. The combination of the sharp blades from Shenlong's divine rain, and the scorching heat of Hinokami, melting his armour like butter.

Alciel wiped his mouth, as I stood before him, my blades reverting and dissipating. I had to finish this. Cobalt Assimilation was running out.

"Why... why are you always getting in my way. Yeling... All I wanted was to become strong enough to protect Elise. But now you... you..."

"Just give me the artifact, Alciel. And call off the invasion. It's over, man. This is all pointless."

"Pointless... what do you know of my tribulations, mortal!"

I held out my hands, summoning two blades and assuming my Rain Style stance.

I was about to rush in, but Alciel's demonic aura was overwhelming.

"I'm finished. No more games. This ends. I am going to destroy you with my full power as a Demon Lord. Consider this an honour, and a curse. Yeling Mah. To have pushed me this far!"

What the hell?!

Alciel roared, his eyes glowing red as two demonic wings sprouted from his back, red lightning and thunder booming over the arena.

"Fall to me. Bow to me. Yeling Mah. You may have the power of the gods, but you are still a mortal."

A massive wave of gravity slammed me into the ground, but I pushed off it with my hands.

"Dammit!" I growled, Alciel was fighting on a completely different level. Even old flashback-kun wasn't enough. I had closed the gap in power and he expanded it again.

"I'll tear you apart." Alciel's voice, now deep and ancient, appeared next to me, as I brought my blades up just in time to deflect a devastating roundhouse which shattered them, sending me flying.

I managed to grab the ledge of the platform, utilizing Hinokami to propel me back up, but Alciel had closed the distance again, slamming me in the face, then delivering a combo which caused me to skid backwards on my back.

"Shit!" I rolled out of the way, as Alciel slammed the platform with so much force it cracked. I scurried out of the way, the platform cracking in half and severing into two pieces.

I couldn't beat this guy. He was far too strong and fast, even with Stage Two.

Think.

Think Yeling.

What would your friends do?

"Power of friendship rules over everything, according to this manga I read." Lewis told me some time ago.

Like hell it would!

If I brought Shia, Shen, and Inoko into this madness, they'd be killed instantly!

I narrowly dodged another strike from Alciel, who began going on a frenzy. I had already started going on a defensive. I didn't even have time to summon any weapons.

I needed...

An image of Matt appeared in my mind.

That's it.

Matt never had any super powerful abilities. When he was still Vision, he was always the weakest. And even with Senkaku, in theory, he was on paper weaker than Kyokou's gravity powers, and Urca's Fujin. But despite all that, he was still able to make the best of his abilities, and become Contingency Initiative's best operative.

Replicate his skills.

Replicate his movements.

Strength and power alone isn't enough to win a fight.

I brought my hands together.

Rain God Shenlong: MULTI-RAINBOW MIRAGES

Alciel roared, smashing into several clones, as his eyes darted around.

"Which one of you is the real one?!"

Alciel held out his hand, sending another wave of gravity slamming down all of the Yeling clones, but I had already figured out his weakness.

I leapt into the air, right at the center, right above Alciel, summoning a glowing green and blue flaming spear, chucking it as hard as I could as Alciel slowly looked up in shock.

Alciel growled in pain as he got impaled by the spear as I made my way down, slamming my foot against the other end, pushing it deeper into Alciel's chest as he roared in agony. The gravity was dispelled.

I landed in front of the Demon Lord and brought my right arm back, forming dozens of rainwater tendrils, similar to Matt's dark tendrils, and impaled Alciel in numerous places from the front.

"I can't lose... Elise... Elise..." Alciel muttered.

I was inches away, my hand was outstretched, ready to pull out the artifact, which was a glowing gem that had exposed itself inside Alciel's now ripped apart chest.

"Answer me one thing, Alciel." I said.

Alciel looked at me, his eyes were starting to close.

"Who is this Elise. I know she's your sister... but you would resort to being a Demon Lord to protect her?"

Alciel coughed out blood, as his demon wings retracted, and his white hair began falling out, turning brown. He was losing his Demon Lord powers.

"You don't deserve an explanation. I will defeat you... anyway..."

Alciel tried to step forward, but fell. He had reverted into a human form, his armour had completely shattered.

I exited Stage Two, grabbing him by the collar and lifting him off the ground.

"It's over, Alciel. You've lost."

Alciel panted.

"I'm sorry... Elise... I wasn't strong enough to protect you."

"Why do you keep saying that?! Why-"

Alciel's hand hovered to the artifact, his hands closing over it.

"Elise... protected me... she tried to use her powers to protect her little brother... from those adventurers... but she ended up the one to lose herself. This artifact... is Elise... her still beating heart."

I stared at the gemstone.

It was pulsating.

That was both heartbreaking and gross at the same time.

"I..." I was at a loss for words.

Alciel looked at me.

"Elise protected me that day because I was too weak. So I became a Demon Lord. To protect her in return. Part of her still lived... but now that... now that... I've lost... my power that sustains what's left of her... is...."

The light left Alciel's eyes, as I said nothing, watching as the beating heart of Demon Lord Alciel's older sister pulsed for the last time. I took the artifact from his hands, laying Alciel to the ground, and leaving the arena. Entering the exit that was created from the now non existent power of the Demon Lord who sustained the barrier.

I stepped out with the heart of Elise, greeted with numerous smoking bodies of the monsters Alciel commanded, and my party giving me looks of relief.

"It's... over." Inoko said, as all the adventurers cheered, but I wasn't happy.

Alciel was this way because of the adventurers.

If they hadn't hunted the two down, which I presumed was what happened... would Alciel not have become a Demon Lord?

Yuyan Zheng vs. Yeling Mah

That day, everybody in Arii celebrated. Drinking and partying over the win and defeat of Demon Lord Alciel.

Shia and Shen were bestowed honours of heroes for helping fight the Generals.

And Inoko herself had ended up taking credit for stopping Alciel, since it was just the two of us at that point who had breached the monster's ranks.

Inoko wanted to give the credits to me, but I rejected them.

All of this was wrong.

We should not have been celebrating.

There was nothing worth celebrating over ruining the life of a man who just wanted to be with his older sister, who felt like he had no choice but to become a Demon Lord all because of something that they never asked for.

Two demon siblings who were hunted down for sport by adventurers.

"Hey." Inoko sat next to me with a drink in her hand.

"Yo."

"What's wrong?"

I turned to Inoko, to see she was definitely in a party mood. She was flushed red from all the drinks she had. I didn't wanna burden her with bad news.

"Nothing. Guess I drank too much!"

Inoko scoffed.

"A lightweight, huh. How pathetic!"

I laughed, as I watched Inoko get up and talk to several adventurers. She looked happy.

Seeing her happy made my heart feel warm and fuzzy. As cringe as that sounds. I knew Lewis would disapprove right away.

"Yeling! We did it! YOU did it!" Shia said, as she and Shen joined me on the couch of the guild hall.

"Yeah."

"We received many honours and awards. But since you were battling Alciel, you did not receive any. I feel this is not right. Please, take my medal, Mah Ye Ling!" Shen proceeded to strip off his shirt, which Shia and I promptly wrestled him in a panic to stop him.

"It's fine! It's fine!!!!" We screamed, as we stopped, staring at each other. Then laughed.

I pulled out Elise's heart, which was no longer beating and handed it to Shia.

"The first artifact. For you, Shia. Let's get those last two and break your curse."

Shia smiled at me.

"Thank you, Yeling. Thank you. You may be utterly hopeless when it comes to housework, and having me cook and clean for you. But... when it counts. I can always depend on you."

"And such as me as well! I am a god! Revere me!" Shen proclaimed.

Shia laughed.

"Yes, you too, Shen."

Shen put a hand on his chin.

"Say. I wonder who that mystery person was."

I paused.

"Mystery person?"

Shia nodded.

"When we were each fighting our respective Generals, it wasn't an easy fight, obviously. I was inches away from being killed by Deathweaver, when suddenly, some hooded figure appeared. He saved me. He had some weird rifle, which he fired at the Mistress, then started using an axe. His speed was ridiculous. Surpassing Charles even. And his power. It was like nothing I had seen before. But before I could thank him, he was already gone."

"It was the case for me too. When I battled Azoth as my Dragon Form, I was losing my advantage. Mind you, I was at 10% power..."

"Yes, Shen. You don't have to keep reminding us."

Shen pouted.

"Well, it was true. But seconds before Azoth blasted frost at me, this same hooded figure landed on the ground and neutralized the blast, redirecting the ice and turning it into water, then severed Azoth's head with it. And with Inoko, she told us that this hooded figure, he didn't just wield a firearm and axe. He wielded many weapons. And had many powers. Like a chimera."

Like a chimera...

The gears were turning, if this was who I thought it was...

"Yeling? You look white as a ghost!" Shia looked at me, concerned.

"I'm fine." I lied.

"And where is he now?"

"That's the thing, Yeling. He disappeared. After saving us. After he single handedly overpowered each general, he disappeared. He didn't show up to the awards ceremony."

My day was already ruined from that battle. Now there was this hooded figure. But before I could continue sulking, Inoko appeared out of nowhere, stumbling around totally drunk.

"Hic! You... maggots better try the... hic! The booze is great! Real... hic! Elder Sister would never let me hic! Drink!"

Yeah. I could see why.

Inoko then stretched.

"God! It's so hic! Hot in here!"

I watched as Inoko began to take off her crop top, my eyes glued on her figure, as Shia yelped.

"No! Inoko! Don't do it! Not in front of these uncultured men!"

Shia wrestled with Inoko, along with Shen.

"How dare you! I am Inoko the Berserker!" Inoko wailed, trying to take off her clothes, completely drunk.

I chuckled, getting up and leaving the guild hall and walking down the street until I reached the sector.

Chinese words were everywhere. I guess there was a Chinatown even in Arii.

"Yuyan." A voice appeared, as I peered up, to see a man in a black hood and drifter clothes. Attached to his back was a massive battle axe and rifle, his side, a sword. His hip, a pistol. Under those robes, I could tell there was more equipment.

"You-" I paused.

No.

Why did you come here?!

The man clenched his fist, and zipped into the air with monstrous speed. I jolted away at the last second, as he slammed into the ground before me, causing a shockwave.

Before I could say anything, the man put a finger to his lips.

"You don't want to start anything. Not when these people are so happy, would you, Yeling?"

"Why have you come... Danny." I said, my voice shaky.

Danny shook his head.

"No. Not Danny. Not when I am here. In Asia. Danny was the name I used in New Ulysses to fit in. But back home. I go by my real name."

Danny took off his hood, revealing his horrifically scarred face.

"Yuyan. Yuyan Zheng."

Yuyan regarded me.

"You got stronger, Yeling Mah."

I stepped back.

"But not strong enough, probably. What game are you playing, Dan- I mean Yuyan. Are you here to kill me? To kill everybody here?"

Yuyan gave me an empty expression. His eyes were so devoid of life.

"I kill those who deserve it. Those who aren't worthy of a good life. These people fought hard today. So they deserve to live. But ultimately, their sins, and ignorance of the lives of monsters that they mercilessly kill... I will slaughter them all. But not today."

I wanted to sock Danny in the jaw, but I knew if I tried that, I'd be destroyed instantly. After all, I was the person he wanted to kill the most... which was why I didn't get it.

"But why wait? Why not just kill me now? Why-"

Yuyan's eyes flickered, as I summoned Shen's power, but he had already closed the distance.

Crap!

Level 1 Hinokami-

Before I could do anything, Yuyan had slammed me into the ground.

"I could kill you now. The state you are. Is less than insignificant to me. I've gotten so strong, no one can stop me now. I've terrorized this world as Transplant for many years. And this entire time, no one has had the strength to stop me. Not Taras Pax. And certainly not these three bumbling fools who are on their way to hunt me down as we speak."

The Big Three! Dammit. If Yuyan had gotten this strong, they didn't stand a chance!

Their only trump card was Charles' speed, but seeing as how Yuyan had just defeated me so quickly, there was no way...

"Don't... if you're gonna kill. Don't kill the one called Inko."

"Why is that?"

"She's... the older sister of someone I care about. I can't... yes. Inko deserves the worst, but if she dies, her little sister would be devastated. I can't... I can't forgive myself if that happens."

"How soft you are."

Yuyan threw me across the street as I skidded in the night sky. The dirt staining my clothes as Yuyan materialized in front of me with that same monstrous speed.

I gritted my teeth, summoning my two blades, but Yuyan's eyes flickered again, swatting his hand and shattering my swords before they could even fully form at supersonic speeds.

I could only stare at my old classmate in utter shock.

"I'm not here to fight. Yeling."

Obviously. If he was, I was going to die.

"Then why did you save them? Why did you save Shia and Shen and-"

"Because." Yuyan inspected his sleeves.

"The one called Shia doesn't deserve to die. She is kind. She is pure. She is one of the few people in this world who deserve happiness. But this Lewis Greer, he had the audacity to curse her. So... I will not kill you. Not yet. Because you need to break that curse. And it is not in me to do so, because I have already committed so much taboo, the heavens see me as a disgrace worthy of a thousand hells."

I stared at Yuyan.

"What?"

Yuyan raised an eyebrow.

"I'm not a mindless killer. Like you were. I kill, yes. But I kill for a reason. I kill those who don't deserve happiness. But with Shia, she doesn't deserve the pain she was forced to live. The same goes with your lady friend, Inoko. She didn't deserve losing her beloved boyfriend because of the actions of her ignorant older sister. So if they were to die... that is simply unacceptable."

I clenched my teeth, staring at my arms.

Why...

After everything I did to unlock my powers....

Why was I still so weak to Danny/Yuyan?

"Do you think I am evil? Yeling?"

"I don't know."

"Four years. Yeling. It's been four years since we last fought. I grew in power, and I suppose you have started to grow. In here."

Yuyan pointed at his chest.

"Yeling Mah with friends. That rage is starting to go away, but it's still there. Until you put it out, I will still see you as someone to kill."

"Not because of what I did to Duncan?"

Yuyan gazed at the night sky.

"A lifetime ago, I believed my sole purpose of being brought back was to avenge everybody you killed. But... my purpose was not that. I saw both sides of the story. You. Wanted to kill and cleanse. And so... if it means you can live a life where you can start appreciating life... then I will take your place."

I stared at my old friend.

"What are you saying?!"

Yuyan sighed.

"Did you really think I didn't care about you back then, Yeling? All those times you felt suicidal. All those times your mental illness took from you. I was so worried. But there was nothing I could do. There was absolutely nothing I could do to take you away from those burdens. I couldn't understand that, four years ago. But now we've gotten older, and I realize now. What I must do."

Yuyan ran his hand over Yama's sword.

"Why was I brought back from the dead. As a monster. It was in response to your desperate cry for help. It is because I became this killer, this monster. This... Transplant, did you. You, Yeling, begin to heal. I will take that burden from your shoulders. I shall do what I couldn't do before. I will take your place as Tidalflame. So you won't hurt any more."

My hands trembled, as I realized tears were running down the side of my face.

"Danny... please... I..."

I put my hand on his shoulder, which was cold. So cold. Devoid of any warmth.

"Don't do this. Don't. This is wrong! This is all wrong..."

Yuyan smiled at me.

"The fact that you would beg me to stop, shows what I'm doing is working. Our roles have now reversed. Go and live your life Yeling. It's okay. I will cleanse this world for you. And as you heal, my reasons to destroy you will eventually disappear. And you can enjoy utopia with Shia and Shen and Inoko and countless people who love you. You've suffered enough."

"DANNY!" I yelled, as I summoned a katana.

Yuyan leapt into the air, as I charged him, sobbing uncontrollably.

I don't need your sympathy, Danny.

Don't use me as an excuse to kill others.

Don't put me in this position.

Please.

Don't feel like you have no choice but to kill because of MY mental illnesses.

I transformed into Stage Two.

"My setbacks were my own to deal with!" I yelled, as I brought my sword up.

Rain Style Kenjutsu: Form 8 - FOUR SEASONS

The slashes cut into Danny so hard blood exploded, but suddenly, a massive wave of power slammed into me, as I found myself face to face with Kanghui.

"You bastard god! You've ruined my BEST FRIEND!" I roared.

Kanghui laughed sinisterly.

That was all your doing, Mah Ye Ling. And now you've contracted that fool Shenlong. Do you really think that idiot comes close to me in power? I am the god who knocked the Earth's axis off center. I am the reason for many of the cosmic catastrophes this universe has suffered. Compared to that, your little Rain God is nothing to me.

Level 1 Hinokami: INVERSE MONSOON RELEASE

Kanghui snarled, opening his mouth and neutralizing my flame with a torrent of water, but I roared, charging right through it.

Rain Style Kenjutsu: Form 7 - Sharp Winds

A massive thrust went right into Kanghui's throat as the dragon buckled.

I put away the katana and summoned two swords in each hand.

Rain Style Two Sword Technique: WILD LOTUS PETAL DANCE

I spun violently, into the duct of Kanghui, slashing from the insides as the great Water God moaned in pain, exploding into a shower of golden blood, but not before being called back by Yuyan.

"Don't fight this, Yeling."

I brought my arms back, summoning a massive blade resembling Inoko's and slashed down, but Yuyan calmly drew Yama's sword, parrying my strike as my green blade construct melted into a pool of black goo.

"You don't have to do this! Yuyan!"

But I couldn't do anything. I couldn't even convince myself.

What was I even fighting for anymore?

The whole point was to bring the Great Akuma back, that was the whole point. But now that wasn't happening. Yuyan/Danny had taken its place. I was supposed to be happy. There was no need for Tidalflame. But now... now...

Now I didn't want him to.

What did I really want?

Yuyan closed in as my eyes went wide.

"Yeling. Just be happy. For me."

Yuyan struck me in the midsection, the impact knocking me out of Stage Two. I started to free fall, reaching out to my best friend.

"I will make the world better, Yeling. Just for people like Shia. Just like your dream. I'll stop at nothing. So please. Heal. And be happy. Because unlike me, you still live. You... MUST live."

The next day, Inoko, Shia, Shen, and I packed our things and made our way to the exit of Arii, greeted with many farewells.

"Where to next, Squad Leader Shia?" Shen asked.

Squad Leader Shia?!

"Whoa whoa whoa. When did that happen?" I asked.

Inoko shrugged.

"She knows where to go, Yeling."

I choked.

"Wha-"

Inoko put a hand on her hip.

"How long have you been giving me that fake name? Nagumo? Why didn't you just give me your real name from the start."

My ears felt like they were being caught on fire.

"I... well it was because I didn't want Transplant finding me."

"And now you have connections to Transplant to?! What are you hiding from me, Yeling!"

"I can explain. I can. But once we reach that place, I'll give you a full explanation."

Inoko was pouting, and it was absolutely adorable.

"Fine."

I sighed with partial relief, turning to Shia.

"So where are we going now?"

Shia pointed at a bunch of entries from several books.

"China. Your home. That's where the second artifact is. We need it if we're going to break the curse, or have you forgotten again!"

"Geh."

Shen threw his head back and laughed a hearty laugh.

"Not just Yeling's home. But mine as well. I wonder big brother Tianlong is doing!"

"What did you just say? Did you just say Tianlong? As in the Heavenly Dragon?"

"Yes. My big brother. He is still in China, I believe. Perhaps we can get him to make a contract with you as well, and thus you would wield the power of TWO celestial dragons."

What the hell was this idiot dragon saying...

Inoko smiled at me.

"It will be a new adventurer. I have never left Arii for pretty much my entire life. Let us see what China is like."

"Show us around, Yeling!" Shia laughed.

"I don't know... I'm pretty whitewashed guys."

"Well I certainly am not!" Shen shouted.

"You lived your life under a rock! Literally! How do you know anything about Chinese culture?!"

"They farm!"

I bonked the God of Rain over the head.

"They don't just farm you idiot!"

Inoko and Shia laughed. As Shen continued trying to argue his case.

I gazed at the distance, as we continued walking.

A new adventurer.

A new country.

And new potential powers. And maybe companions.

I thought back to what Yuyan had said to me.

He was doing all this for me.

But it wasn't right.

That's right. I now know what I want.

"I'll stop you, Danny. Not only because what you are doing is wrong. And I won't just end it there. I will save you. From yourself."