Chapter 11 – The Beginning of the Unknown
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A Silent Farewell
The morning was quiet, the sky painted in soft hues of blue as a gentle breeze carried the scent of dew-kissed grass. Ryouma walked silently beside Hina, his little sister, holding her tiny hand firmly. She looked up at him with wide, uncertain eyes, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Brother, will you leave me with Grandpa for long?"
Ryouma gave her a faint smile, ruffling her hair gently. His touch was meant to reassure her, but the weight in his heart remained.
"No, I'll be back soon. There are things I need to take care of."
They arrived at their grandfather's old wooden house, its darkened planks standing resilient against time. Their grandfather was already waiting at the door—a stern yet kind-looking elderly man whose sharp eyes carried both warmth and wisdom.
"Grandfather, I'll leave Hina with you for a while. Please take care of her."
The old man nodded slowly, crouching slightly to meet Hina's eyes with a reassuring smile.
"Of course, she'll be safe here."
Hina hesitated, glancing at Ryouma with worry, but before she could say more, he turned away. His crimson scarf fluttered in the wind as he walked off, his steps steady, his resolve unwavering.
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Training the Raikono Energy
After hours of walking, Ryouma arrived at a secluded rural area. The scenery was breathtaking—serene rivers meandered through lush fields, towering trees stood like silent sentinels, and birds filled the air with their melodies. It was an ideal place for meditation and training.
Standing by the river, Ryouma crouched and closed his eyes, reaching for the dormant power within him. He could feel it—something buried deep inside, waiting to awaken.
"Raikono Energy… the power that controls the shadows."
He recalled Saito's words from their last conversation:
"This energy is unlike any other. Some are consumed by it, while others master it and become legends."
Taking a deep breath, he tried drawing his internal energy to the surface. A strange sensation coursed through his veins—cold, yet invigorating. Suddenly, his aura flared… but unlike the others who wielded darkness, his glowed white with a faint blue tint, like the moon's radiance on a starless night.
"Alright… let's see if I can control it."
He extended his hand forward, attempting to shape the energy within his palm. Wisps of Raikono energy swirled around his fingers hesitantly, as if testing him in return. He clenched his fist, focusing harder, and the energy condensed into jagged, lightning-like tendrils. Aiming at a nearby boulder, he thrust his palm forward, but resistance struck him—it was as if the energy refused to fully obey his command.
"Damn… still unstable."
Determined, he changed his approach. Planting his feet firmly, he gathered energy into his legs and launched himself high into the air. As he descended, he concentrated Raikono energy into his fist and struck the ground with full force.
BOOOOM!
A shockwave erupted, sending ripples through the earth as cracks splintered outward. Nearby trees rustled violently, shaken by the blast. Yet, despite the power, Ryouma knew—he still wasn't in full control.
Panting slightly, he smirked to himself.
"Step by step."
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A Mission and an Unexpected Partner
As dusk settled, Ryouma prepared to rest, but his communicator buzzed unexpectedly.
"Ryouma Kaji, you have a mission. Head to the designated location and meet your new partner."
Adjusting the crimson scarf around his neck, he sighed and set off. He wasn't particularly curious about his new partner—until he heard a familiar voice call out:
"Ryoumaaaa!!"
He turned, surprised, only to see Akari perched atop a stone wall, her legs dangling freely as she grinned mischievously.
With a graceful hop, she landed before him, arms crossed as she studied him with amused eyes. Then, she laughed.
"You've changed a little… you actually look cooler now!"
Ryouma blinked, caught off guard. He hadn't expected her of all people. Akari stepped closer, circling him like a curious predator.
"Lucky me! I always wanted to be your partner on a mission, and look what happened!"
He said nothing, but there was something odd in the way she was looking at him. Suddenly, she raised the back of her hand and pressed it against his forehead.
"Hmm? Ryouma, what's wrong? Do you have a fever?"
The moment her skin touched his, an unfamiliar sensation surged through him—a warmth he hadn't felt in a long time. Akari's eyes widened slightly, as if she sensed something too.
For a fleeting second, neither of them moved. Ryouma's breath slowed. The warmth… it reminded him of something distant, something precious.
"This feeling… it's just like when my mother used to place her hand on my head…"
His gaze met Akari's amber eyes, reflecting the dim glow of the setting sun. For the first time, he felt a strange sense of familiarity. Akari, too, seemed caught off guard, her cheeks turning the faintest shade of pink.
But she quickly masked her reaction with a teasing smirk.
"Oh? Don't tell me you're starting to like me?"
Snapping out of his trance, Ryouma gently took her wrist and moved her hand away. His voice was calm.
"I'm fine."
Yet, that brief moment left behind a lingering feeling neither of them could explain.
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Battle Against the Ashin
They arrived at their destination—a long-abandoned factory, its walls cracked and covered in vines. But the true threat was inside. Ashin creatures—twisted beings of darkness—roamed the area, their malevolent energy polluting the air.
"There's a lot of them… no choice but to fight head-on!"
One of the Ashin lunged at Ryouma, claws extended. With swift reflexes, he sidestepped and delivered a precise punch to its chest, sending it crashing into a pile of debris. The impact was stronger than he expected—his physical abilities had improved significantly.
"If only I could use my power at night… I'd obliterate them all instantly!"
Meanwhile, Akari wielded her unique weapon—a Whip of Blossoms, glowing with an eerie, dark energy. With a flick of her wrist, the whip lashed out, slicing through multiple Ashin in a single stroke.
"Akari! Cover me, I'll take down the big one!"
Without hesitation, she twirled her whip, creating a defensive barrier around Ryouma as he dashed forward with incredible speed. His target—a monstrous Ashin twice his size. He leapt, preparing to strike…
But then—the ground beneath him vanished.
A dark portal opened beneath his feet, swallowing him whole.
"Ryoumaaa!!"
Akari's eyes widened in horror as she lunged forward, reaching out to grab him. But she was too late. He saw her panic-stricken expression, heard her voice calling his name… and then—darkness.
Cold.
Silence.
He opened his eyes slowly. His body felt heavy, the sensation of dampness surrounding him.
Lifting his head, he found himself lying on a de
serted shore, waves lapping gently against the sand. The air was thick with an eerie stillness.
"Where… am I?"
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To be continued...