Ryoshi's eyes snapped open as awareness flooded his senses. "WHAT! I'm awake!... Wait, where am I?" he exclaimed, his voice echoing in the sterile white room.
Climbing off the bed, Ryoshi scanned the room, his confusion mounting. "Where is the door?"
Approaching one of the walls, Ryoshi reached out tentatively. "Time to break through," he muttered determinedly before delivering a powerful punch, shattering the wall and revealing a dimly lit hallway beyond.
"I- Where am I?" Ryoshi questioned, his unease growing as he stepped into the darkness of the hallway.
"Why is it so dark!? sigh I guess I'll go to the right," Ryoshi decided, his footsteps echoing softly as he ventured down the corridor.
"This hallway feels long, maybe I should go faster," Ryoshi mused, picking up his pace.
However, his haste led to an unexpected obstacle as he collided with another wall moments later. "Another wall? Wouldn't hurt if I broke this one too!" Ryoshi declared, delivering another forceful punch that shattered the barrier, revealing a spacious room with a door at the far end.
"That must be the exit!" Ryoshi concluded, his heart pounding with anticipation as he made his way towards the door.
"I'll find my way out of here in no time!" he reassured himself.
"STOP RIGHT THERE, INTRUDER!!!" a commanding voice rang out suddenly, freezing Ryoshi in his tracks.
"What!?" Ryoshi exclaimed, turning to face three individuals who had appeared behind him. One had spiky basil hair, dressed in a black heavy jacket, gloves, shorts, and boots. The second sported a buzz cut, with headphones around his neck and wore a black trench coat and boots. The third was a girl with long purple hair, adorned in a red dress, and wore an eye-patch over her left eye.
In the dimly lit corridors of an ancient fortress, tension hung thick in the air like a shroud. Basil Hair Guy, his voice laced with authority and aggression, halted Ryoshi's hurried steps with a sharp command.
"I said stop right there!"
Caught off guard, Ryoshi's eyes widened as he faced the imposing figure before him. "What do you want! Who are you?" he retorted, his voice tinged with nervousness.
"I'M THE ONE ASKING THE QUESTIONS HERE!!!" Basil Hair Guy barked back, his words echoing down the stone passageway. "Where did you come from?"
Ryoshi stumbled over his words, panic rising within him. "Well, uhm, I broke through that... oh shit."
Accusations flew like arrows as Basil Hair Guy's suspicions mounted. "You're a bandit, aren't you!?"
Panic gripped Ryoshi as he struggled to defend himself. "Wait no, you got it all wrong-"
But before Ryoshi could plead his innocence, another figure emerged from the shadows, clad in a black trench coat that seemed to swallow the light around him. "Then why are you heading towards the treasure room?" the newcomer demanded, his voice as cold as the steel hidden beneath his coat.
"Wah- I did not know that was a treasure room, I was actually trying to leave-" Ryoshi stammered, desperation evident in his voice.
"Welp, we caught him red-handed. It's pounding time," the trench coat-clad figure declared, his words dripping with disdain.
However, Basil Hair Guy seemed less convinced of Ryoshi's guilt. "Eeeh, this guy isn't that strong, he's just another bandit. You guys can deal with him," he remarked casually, delegating the task to his companions.
"With pleasure," Eye-patch Girl chimed in, her voice carrying a dangerous edge.
Caught in the crossfire of accusations and hostility, Ryoshi knew he had to fight his way out of this predicament. As Eye-patch Girl summoned a mystical lamp ablaze with blue and black flames, Ryoshi drew forth his own weapon with determination.
The clash of steel and magic echoed through the fortress as Ryoshi found himself locked in combat with his adversaries. Each strike was met with fierce resistance as Ryoshi defended himself against overwhelming odds.
"Is he dead yet?" Basil Hair Guy inquired, his impatience palpable.
"Aren't you paying attention, you damn idiot!?" the trench coat-clad figure snapped back, frustration coloring his voice. "He survived those attacks."
As the battle raged on, Ryoshi's skill and resilience began to impress even his adversaries. "Maybe this guy might not be such a weakling after all," Basil Hair Guy conceded, begrudging admiration creeping into his tone.
Seizing an opportunity, Ryoshi pressed his advantage, forcing his opponents on the defensive. But as the dust settled, a new challenger emerged from the shadows, his imposing figure radiating confidence and determination.
"In the honor of their names, I will challenge you to a fight!" Setchi declared, his voice resolute.
As Ryoshi braced himself for the onslaught, he couldn't help but marvel at the strength and determination of his adversaries. Caught in a whirlwind of chaos and conflict, Ryoshi knew that only his skill and determination would see him through to the end.
Setchi unleashed a barrage of strikes, his fists a blur as they pummeled Ryoshi relentlessly. With each blow, Ryoshi gritted his teeth against the pain, determination burning bright within him.
"RULOLOLOLOLO!!!" Setchi's battle cry pierced the air as he unleashed a devastating kick, sending Ryoshi crashing to the ground.
"Darn it," Ryoshi cursed inwardly, tasting the bitterness of defeat on his tongue.
But even as Ryoshi lay sprawled on the ground, his resolve remained unbroken. With a swift motion, he sprang back to his feet, defiance gleaming in his eyes.
"This bandit's tough, he works perfectly fine as a punching bag!" Oto remarked, a hint of admiration coloring his voice.
As Ryoshi gathered his strength for a counterattack, he called upon his magical weapon with a practiced gesture. "Skill 1: Ice horse," he declared, anticipation coursing through his veins.
But to his dismay, nothing happened. Panic gnawed at Ryoshi's insides as he struggled to comprehend the sudden failure of his powers.
"Is he trying to use his magical weapon? If so, this must be a big attack," Kiiro observed, her eyes narrowing in suspicion.
Caught in the midst of battle, Ryoshi found himself plunged into a silent conversation with his weapon, Itsunoko.
"Ryoshi!" Itsunoko's voice echoed in his mind, a beacon of guidance amidst the chaos.
"Itsunoko? Is that you? I haven't heard from you in a while," Ryoshi responded, relief flooding through him at the familiar presence.
"I know, you didn't need me. But now you must be confused about why I'm not working," Itsunoko explained, his voice tinged with reassurance.
"Changes?" Ryoshi echoed, his mind racing to comprehend the implications of Itsunoko's words.
"Indeed. I can't quite explain why but these changes will make you and your weapon stronger!!!" Itsunoko continued, his tone filled with conviction.
Ryoshi's heart pounded in his chest as he grappled with the newfound revelations. "So you're saying... I'M IMMORTAL!?" he exclaimed, a surge of exhilaration coursing through him.
"What! No, Ryoshi, your time will come one day," Itsunoko clarified, his voice solemn yet steadfast. "By that time, you will be considered one of the strongest warriors of your generation!"
As Ryoshi absorbed Itsunoko's words, a sense of purpose settled over him like a cloak. With newfound resolve, he steeled himself for the battle ahead.
"Well, I've been standing here for a long time!" Ryoshi remarked, determination burning bright within him.
"While you're not moving, time has stopped for you," Itsunoko reminded him, his guidance a beacon of clarity amidst the chaos. "If you want a good way to end this fight, just throw me. I'll use some of my own magic to do something."
With Itsunoko's words ringing in his ears, Ryoshi lunged forward, hurling his sword at Setchi with all his might. But even as Setchi dodged the incoming attack with ease, Ryoshi felt a newfound sense of purpose coursing through his veins. With Itsunoko by his side, he knew that victory was within his grasp.
Setchi's claim echoed in the dim chamber, his words laden with a confidence bordering on arrogance.
"Woah. Nothing a god couldn't handle," Setchi proclaimed, his voice resonating with a sense of superiority.
"What does a god have to do with anything?" Ryoshi countered, his brow furrowing in confusion.
"If you haven't heard the news. I'm a god," Setchi declared, his tone tinged with pride.
"Wait, what?" Ryoshi's disbelief was palpable, his mind struggling to grasp the enormity of Setchi's revelation.
"You heard me, the recent rumors about a god being missing from the world above! My abilities are god-like! Put the two together, I'm a god!" Setchi boasted, his words ringing with certainty.
"Uh..." Ryoshi faltered, unsure of how to respond to Setchi's audacious claim.
"Bandit. Don't listen to him," Oto interjected, his voice cutting through the tension like a knife.
"Let me prove it!" Setchi insisted, a gleam of determination shining in his eyes.
"Buddy..." Ryoshi began, his voice trailing off as Setchi unleashed his ultimate technique.
"I call this technique, ultimate god chaos blast," Setchi announced, his voice reverberating with power.
Before Ryoshi could react, he was suddenly flung into the air by a powerful explosion beneath him. The force of the blast sent him hurtling through the sky, his senses reeling as he struggled to regain his bearings.
As Ryoshi soared through the air, Setchi leaped into action, delivering a devastating kick that sent him crashing back to the ground below.
"So that was the technique where you use magic coming from your eyes to activate explosions in the air," Oto remarked, his tone tinged with amusement.
"Oto! Stop ruining my moves," Setchi chided, his frustration evident.
"It's fun taking apart moves," Oto retorted, a mischievous grin playing on his lips.
As Ryoshi staggered to his feet amidst the chaos, a nagging question gnawed at his mind. Where did my sword go?, he wondered, his eyes scanning the chamber frantically. Wait, did it go through the hole I punched in the wall?
Despite the confusion swirling around him, Ryoshi stood tall, determination burning bright within him. With his resolve unshaken, he braced himself for the challenges yet to come.
Apologies for the oversight. Let's revise the passage accordingly:
Oto's voice cut through the aftermath of the explosive clash, his surprise evident as he surveyed the scene. "I'm surprised he's still standing," he remarked, his tone tinged with disbelief.
"Me too! I'll just end him here!!! Superrrrr ball!!!" Setchi exclaimed, his voice brimming with determination as he charged magic into his right hand.
Reacting swiftly, Ryoshi summoned his own magic, invoking the power of ice to counter Setchi's onslaught. "Ice Magic: Ice Spikes!!!" he shouted, unleashing a barrage of frozen projectiles at his opponent. But the intense heat radiating from Setchi's hand melted the ice before it could reach its target.
"Uh- Ice wall!!" Ryoshi called out, desperation creeping into his voice as he erected a barrier of ice in a bid to shield himself from Setchi's impending attack.
But Setchi was undeterred, his resolve unshaken as he unleashed a devastating blow. "PUNCH!" he roared, releasing a massive ball of magic that shattered Ryoshi's defenses and sent him reeling backward.
As the explosive impact reverberated through the chamber, Setchi's triumphant declaration filled the air. "That should do it!"
But to everyone's astonishment, Ryoshi remained defiant, his spirit unbroken despite the odds stacked against him. "Hey.. I'm still alive..." he muttered, his words carrying a note of incredulity.
"You are!?" Setchi exclaimed, disbelief coloring his tone as he struggled to comprehend Ryoshi's resilience.
Thrust into the spotlight, Ryoshi found himself at the mercy of his adversaries' scrutiny. "So you see..." he began, his words trailing off as his sword came hurtling back with unerring accuracy, striking Setchi squarely in the back of the head with its pommel.
"He used his sword as a boomerang to knock out Setchi!" Kiiro exclaimed, her voice filled with admiration at Ryoshi's resourcefulness.
But before Ryoshi could offer an explanation, Oto's demeanor shifted, his patience wearing thin. "Maybe I shouldn't be so nice to this guy after all," he mused, his voice carrying a hint of menace.
"NOOOOO!!!" Ryoshi cried out in protest, but his words fell on deaf ears as Oto unleashed his own devastating attack.
"Save your crying for later, punk. Focus Strike," Oto declared, his fist glowing with green energy as he prepared to deliver the finishing blow.
As Ryoshi braced himself for the impact, Oto seized the opportunity to explain the nature of his unique power. "This energy is focus energy," he elucidated, his voice filled with pride. "Focus energy allows you to go through reality and even time itself, allowing me to skip forward in time. Wanna see an example?"
"No..." Ryoshi muttered, his heart sinking as Oto vanished from sight, leaving him to face his uncertain fate alone.
Ryoshi's exasperated murmur was cut short as he was suddenly struck in the stomach, the force of the blow driving the air from his lungs.
"Ktch-" he gasped, his words trailing off as Oto materialized behind him, his presence a looming threat.
"That's not all of my abilities. That's the only time-based ability I have! And it drains me," Oto explained, his voice tinged with weariness.
These guys must be a part of the negative point, Ryoshi thought to himself, his mind racing to make sense of the situation.
"OK. I HAVE TO TELL YOU THIS. I'M NOT A BANDIT, I'M THE WINTER SEASONS INHERITOR," Ryoshi blurted out, desperation coloring his tone as he sought to set the record straight.
"You are?" Oto's surprise was evident as he considered Ryoshi's revelation.
As Setchi rose to his feet once more, determination burning bright in his eyes, Kiiro's voice cut through the tension. "Ah, you're awake," she remarked, relief evident in her tone.
"That bandit beat me fair and square," Setchi admitted, begrudging respect coloring his words.
"Setchi, this guy said he's the Winter Inheritor," Oto explained, his gaze fixed on Ryoshi with newfound interest.
"So you're Ryoshi... Taisaku. WAIT, YOU ARE RYOSHI TAISAKU! I SAW YOUR FACE IN A NEWSPAPER," Setchi exclaimed, realization dawning on him.
"You don't say, I also told you my name!" Ryoshi retorted, frustration bubbling to the surface.
"Well, I wasn't listening," Setchi admitted sheepishly, his demeanor shifting from hostility to curiosity.
"What brings you to the Sanctuary?" Oto inquired, his tone now tinged with curiosity.
So, this is the Sanctuary, Ryoshi mused silently, taking in his surroundings with newfound clarity.
"I woke up in a white room here, and broke through some walls," Ryoshi explained, his voice tinged with uncertainty.
"Oh, so you woke up in the medical room. If you wanted to leave, there is a certain word you have to say, and a door will appear," Oto revealed, his expression unreadable.
"What's the word?" Ryoshi asked, curiosity piqued by Oto's cryptic revelation.
"Lock," Oto replied simply, his tone matter-of-fact.
"Well, now that we've got this all cleared up, we'll lead you to an exit. Even show you around the place!" Setchi declared, his enthusiasm infectious.
"Okay, where do we go now?" Ryoshi inquired, relief flooding through him at the prospect of finally leaving this place behind.
"Back through that hole you punched through the wall," Kiiro remarked, a wry smile playing on her lips.