Ryoshi, Kuroshi, and Hiyoku dashed through the dense forest, their footsteps pounding against the earthy ground, leaves rustling in their wake. The air was thick with anticipation, charged with the energy of their rapid movement.
"Where are you taking us?" Ryoshi's voice sliced through the air, laced with curiosity and a hint of apprehension.
"To this area I train at," Hiyoku's response was steady, confident, carrying a sense of purpose.
"Well, are we close?" Ryoshi pressed, his tone tinged with impatience.
"Yep, we should be arriving in around 20 seconds," Hiyoku assured, his voice carrying the excitement of someone leading their companions to a hidden treasure.
"I can see it," Kuroshi interjected, her words crisp with anticipation.
"Yeah!" Hiyoku's voice echoed with triumph as the trio burst out of the forest into an expansive field, where ancient buildings stood like silent sentinels amidst scattered boulders.
"This is the place!" Hiyoku declared, his voice ringing with pride and satisfaction.
"What is this?" Ryoshi's question hung in the air, laden with curiosity and wonder.
"A city from long ago," Hiyoku explained, his voice tinged with reverence for the forgotten relics surrounding them.
"What happened to the city?" Kuroshi's inquiry carried a sense of solemnity, a recognition of the passage of time and the mysteries it held.
"I don't know, but it's empty! Perfect for smashing and burning things!" Hiyoku's voice brimmed with excitement, his words eager and animated.
"How do you train here?" Ryoshi's inquiry was met with action as Hiyoku effortlessly hoisted a massive boulder, muscles rippling with exertion.
"See!" Hiyoku's demonstration was accompanied by a sense of pride, his movements fluid and powerful.
"Yeah, I can see that you can lift up a rock. This seems more like a place you would test new abilities in," Ryoshi observed, his tone contemplative, recognizing the potential of their surroundings.
"This is a place you test abilities in," Kuroshi interjected, her words carrying a sense of certainty and authority.
"That was a great jog, I guess," Ryoshi's comment dripped with sarcasm, his tone playful yet teasing.
"This is also a good place to fight in," Hiyoku's declaration hung in the air, charged with challenge and anticipation.
"Hm?" Ryoshi's curiosity was piqued, his tone questioning.
"Yes! RYOSHI TAISAKUUUUUU!!! I CHALLENGE YOU TO A BATTLE!" Hiyoku's voice thundered with excitement, his words echoing across the empty expanse.
"What?!" Ryoshi's disbelief was palpable, his voice tinged with shock.
"Yes, I demand a rema-" Hiyoku's words were cut short as a knife sliced through his ankle, causing him to stumble and drop the boulder onto himself, the air punctuated by the crash of stone meeting earth.
Ryoshi's voice sliced through the tension like a blade. "Hiyoku!"
A mysterious voice interrupted, echoing through the desolate city ruins. "This is a good place to fight!!!"
Kuroshi's heart skipped a beat. "Is that... It can't be."
"What's good, Kuro-woman. It's me, Kachiro," the voice responded, its tone laden with familiarity and a hint of mischief.
"Kachiro?" Kuroshi's disbelief was evident in her voice, mingled with a trace of uncertainty.
"Who's talking right now? Come out and reveal yourself—WAIT KUROSHI, YOU KNOW THIS GUY?!" Ryoshi's voice boomed with shock and confusion.
"Yeah, he's the guy I escaped that vampire prison with," Kuroshi's admission hung in the air, her tone tinged with a mix of resignation and bitterness.
"Aw, so you do remember me," Kachiro's voice oozed with amusement, his presence materializing in front of the two. He was a tall figure, clad in a black leather jacket adorned with various insignias. A large sword was strapped to his back, its gleaming blade a stark contrast to the muted tones of the ruins around them.
"You have a sword?" Kuroshi's voice held a note of surprise, her words laced with incredulity.
"Of course I do! Just didn't have it on me in the prison," Kachiro's response was casual, his demeanor relaxed despite the tension thickening the air.
"Hey you! What's the meaning of this, why did you throw a knife at Hiyoku!?" Ryoshi's accusation was sharp, his voice tinged with anger and confusion.
"I didn't throw the knife at him!" Kachiro's denial rang out, his voice adamant.
"Then, who did?" Ryoshi's question hung in the air, the urgency in his tone palpable.
"Oh, I guess I had to tell y'all eventually. As you can see here," Kachiro's movements were deliberate as he rolled up his left sleeve, revealing a tattoo reading M.A.G.I.C on his arm.
"I'm with M.A.G.I.C, and I am given the mission to abduct more children. Too bad that this city is practically dead. But on the upside, I get to collect y'alls bounty that M.A.G.I.C put on your head for surviving our top dogs. Right now I'm leading a group of three separate people, I told them to hide, but now that I've told you, they should probably come out," Kachiro's revelation hung in the air, the weight of his words sinking in.
"I should have left you to die in that prison," Kuroshi's voice dripped with venom, her words sharp with resentment.
"I could say the same. Goddammit, GET THE HELL OUT HERE BOYS," Kachiro's command was forceful, his tone brooking no argument.
Three figures materialized beside Kachiro, their presence adding to the tension crackling in the air. The first, clad in a red jacket and ripped jeans, exuded an aura of confidence with brown eyes that glinted with determination. The second, with short light taupe hair and piercing light blue eyes, wore a black shirt adorned with the emblem of M.A.G.I.C, his posture betraying a sense of readiness. The third, with spiky black hair and pink eyes, stood with an air of nonchalance, his grey jacket and orange sneakers contrasting sharply against the desolate backdrop.
Kachiro's voice commanded authority as he addressed his team. "Team, introduce yourselves!"
The figure in the red jacket stepped forward confidently. "I'm Kutsiva Ini, H-003," he declared, his posture exuding a sense of readiness.
The one in the black shirt followed suit, his demeanor serious. "Seabi Hewlett, H-001," he stated, his gaze steady and determined.
The third member of the group, clad in a grey jacket, spoke next. "Corse, H-002," he announced, his voice steady and resolute.
"And I'm Kachiro Jibun, X-001," Kachiro concluded, his tone carrying a hint of pride.
"That's just wonderful! We're finna die!!!" Ryoshi's voice rang out, laced with sarcasm and resignation.
"I'll take Kachiro," Kuroshi declared, her voice firm with determination.
"Yeah, you're right, Kuroshi, we should report bac—Wait, what, he's an X-001 though," Ryoshi's voice reflected his confusion, mixed with a hint of apprehension.
"I know that, Ryoshi. I just want to fight him," Kuroshi's determination shone through in her voice.
"Fine, Kuroshi, I'll fight with you. I'll take the...Cutesiva guy," Ryoshi agreed reluctantly, his tone resigned.
"It's Kutsiva," the red-jacketed figure corrected, a hint of annoyance creeping into his voice.
"But... HEY, WHAT ABOUT US!!!" Seabi's voice cut through the tension, his frustration palpable.
The boulder that Hiyoku was trapped under suddenly burst into flames, reducing it to ash in an instant.
"I'll take the both of you on!!!" Hiyoku's voice echoed with defiance, his determination unwavering.
Kachiro let out a sigh, his demeanor resigned. "I guess it's one of these battles..."
A purple portal materialized next to Ryoshi, eliciting his surprise. "What in the—"
Before he could finish his sentence, the portal discharged a large hammer, striking Ryoshi and sending him hurtling into a nearby building.
"Kutsiva..." Kachiro's voice carried a note of concern.
"What? Didn't he want to fight me?" Kutsiva's voice held a hint of confusion.
"Yeah, go take care of him," Kachiro instructed, his tone firm as he directed Kutsiva towards the building where Ryoshi had been flung.
"Ok, that leaves—" Kachiro's words were cut short as a burning slab of stone hurtled towards Seabi. Just before impact, it disintegrated into ashes, leaving Seabi coughing and sputtering.
"Cough, Cough," Seabi struggled to catch his breath, his voice hoarse.
Without warning, Hiyoku's fist connected with Seabi's stomach, propelling him into a nearby boulder with a resounding thud.
"Seabi!" Corse's voice rang out with concern as he rushed to his comrade's side.
Hiyoku seized the opportunity, grabbing Corse's face and hurling him towards Seabi with surprising strength.
"This fight was unfair from the get-go. This head start for me is great though!" Hiyoku's voice reverberated with triumph as he closed the distance between himself and his fallen opponents.
"It's just me and you now," Kachiro's voice cut through the chaos, his tone steady and composed.
"Yume No Ju Skill 1: Light Bullet," Kuroshi declared, unleashing a bullet of light towards Kachiro. He deftly parried the attack with his sword, revealing its smooth yet scarred surface adorned with an eclectic array of stickers and drawings, ranging from kisses to red peppers, hearts, dragons, and flames.
"If you didn't already know, us M.A.G.I.C members all have some sort of special ability given to us by the lab," Kachiro explained, his tone tinged with a hint of pride. "Z-001 with his enhanced ability to adapt, Z-010 with his ability to destroy any material, and Z-009 with his ability to manipulate his body like clay and harden like diamond. But if you didn't know that, I probably just gave away a lot of information."
"...So, what's your ability?" Kuroshi's voice held a note of curiosity, her gaze fixed on Kachiro.
"Look!" Kachiro declared, slicing his middle finger with his sword. A white substance oozed from the wound, revealing a mysterious power lying within.
Kuroshi's voice trembled with astonishment. "Wh-What is that?"
"White blood! I have white blood," Kachiro explained, his tone brimming with confidence. "White blood not only amplifies my raw strength and speed, it also has the ability to leave my body and act as an extra weapon."
"Is having white blood, healthy?" Kuroshi's concern was evident in her voice, her brows furrowing with worry.
"Well, my heart is kinda—Never mind, let's get back to the FIGHT!" Kachiro's deflection was swift, his tone masking any underlying concerns.
"Whatever rows your boat," Kuroshi responded, her voice tinged with skepticism as she refocused on the battle ahead.