Toruri stood alongside Kaiju Man, Hecate, and October, their eyes fixed on the pile of ashes that was once Gurnuiba. The eerie silence hung in the air as they took in the aftermath of the battle.
Toruri's brow furrowed in confusion.
"What did you actually do to this man?"
Kaiju Man's voice was calm, almost indifferent.
"Burned him."
Toruri blinked, unconvinced.
"But I burned him, and that did nothing."
Kaiju Man's gaze didn't waver.
"My fire is a bit different."
Shrugging, Toruri lifted his leg and gave Gurnuiba's ashes a swift kick, scattering them into the wind.
"Alright, let's get to Javarahoo."
The vault to the water gate groaned open, revealing a large stream of glowing water flowing upward, illuminated by some ethereal light from within.
Toruri stared at the mystical sight, raising an eyebrow.
"Why can't I just go to the island myself?"
October, always pragmatic, stepped forward.
"Javarahoo is protected by a divine magic barrier. Only the gods and natives can enter."
Toruri sighed, folding his arms.
"So, this is just a shortcut, huh?"
Kaiju Man spoke up, his voice uncharacteristically serious.
"I have to disappear for a bit, Toruri."
Toruri turned to him, confused.
"Disappear? Where?"
Kaiju Man glanced around.
"I'm just taking extra precautions. I don't think they'd appreciate you bringing a 'random plus one.'"
Toruri frowned.
"So you're staying behind?"
Kaiju Man shook his head.
"No." He then reached out, placing a hand on Hecate, and in an instant, his towering form disappeared into the smaller figure.
Toruri's jaw dropped.
"Wh—I'm—Huh??"
Hecate buzzed, his voice light with amusement.
"I'm good at dimension magic. He's just in my personal little pocket dimension."
Toruri blinked, still trying to process what just happened.
"So… he's in you?"
Hecate cheerfully confirmed.
"Yes!"
Toruri's exasperation turned to disbelief.
"That's like something out of a clown act! Some ten-foot armored guy going into a fly?"
Hecate buzzed louder.
"I'll stick with ya!"
Toruri smirked, shaking his head.
"Sounds great. Let's get up!"
The group stepped into the glowing stream of water, which lifted them gently but swiftly upward. As they ascended, they were treated to a breathtaking view of Atlantis and the vast ocean surrounding it. The majestic underwater city sprawled beneath them like a vision from a dream, and for a moment, the serene beauty contrasted starkly with the chaos they'd just endured. Moments later, they were flung through an oasis in the ground, landing on the shores of Javarahoo.
Toruri's aura shimmered around him, but he shook his head, muttering,
"This aura can go away now."
With a flick of his hand, the glowing energy around him faded.
As Toruri's eyes scanned the shore, they landed on a figure sitting alone—Kinrui.
"Kinrui?" Toruri called out, noticing something off in the young man's demeanor.
Kinrui looked up, his voice filled with a sense of loss.
"He left me…"
A memory flashed through Kinrui's mind. He remembered standing on this very island with Shuno. After arriving, Shuno had whistled, calling forth a massive red wyvern. Without a word, Shuno had jumped on its back and flown away, leaving Kinrui stranded.
"I'm so lost…" Kinrui muttered to himself.
Toruri approached, shaking his head in disbelief.
"You didn't even try to explore?"
Kinrui stood up, looking defeated.
"This island is big."
Toruri sighed and grabbed Kinrui's arm, pulling him to his feet.
"Well, get up, dude! We're gonna find our way. Where do we go?"
Kinrui threw his hands up, frustrated.
"That's why I'm so lost!!"
Toruri glanced toward the horizon, then shrugged.
"Maybe we head toward the beanstalk."
Kinrui's eyes widened.
"Beanstalk… Oh yeah, right. That."
Toruri sighed, exasperated.
"Jeez, kid, you gave up way too easily."
Kinrui's face twisted in defiance.
"I'm not a kid," he muttered, brushing past Toruri and heading toward the forest.
Toruri chuckled.
"You are tiny."
Kinrui paused mid-step and turned back to Toruri, his face suddenly serious.
"Toruri… do you sense that?"
Toruri's expression shifted as he narrowed his eyes, focusing. His pupils morphed into slitted dragon eyes, allowing him to see farther into the distance. Out over the ocean, he caught a glimpse of a cloaked figure flying toward them. His brow furrowed.
"Who the hell is that?!"
Kinrui's voice trembled with awe.
"That mana… not only is there a lot of it… it's powerful!"
Toruri grimaced, recognizing something different.
"That's some weird chi he's got."
Kinrui spun around, his excitement bubbling over.
"Chi?! You learned chi?! When can I learn chi?!"
Toruri couldn't help but laugh.
"When you get older."
Kinrui huffed, his voice defiant.
"I'm not a kid!"
Toruri waved him off, his focus returning to the approaching figure.
"Alright, stand back. I'm gonna break this guy."
With a powerful flap of his newly grown wings, Toruri launched into the air, flying toward the mysterious person. As he neared, the cloaked figure's fist suddenly ignited with flame. Toruri's eyes narrowed.
Is this guy seriously trying to clash fists with me? Who does he think he is?!
The two flew toward each other at breakneck speed, ready to collide, but just before they could meet, a blur of motion interrupted them. Out of nowhere, Verte appeared between them, her eyes blazing with fury.
"YOU IDIOTS!!!" she yelled, her voice ringing like thunder. Without hesitation, she summoned two massive pillars of stone above them, dropping them both before they could make contact. The pillar crashing down on the cloaked individual revealed their identity—Hiyoku.
Both Toruri and Hiyoku fell into the ocean below, the sudden interruption bringing their reckless clash to a halt.
Five minutes later, the sun shone brightly on the shore, casting shimmering reflections over the waves. Hiyoku, dripping wet and shivering, stood face-to-face with Toruri, who remained completely dry, his expression a mix of annoyance and amusement.
Verte crossed her arms, her voice laced with irritation.
"What were you two thinking?! You could have endangered the island!"
Hiyoku shot back, defensively.
"He was coming at me first!"
Toruri couldn't help but smirk.
"Maybe you should rethink flying across the ocean in a black robe. It makes you look like a dark mage straight out of one of those old stories."
Hiyoku puffed out his chest.
"I just wanted to look good."
Toruri raised an eyebrow, teasing.
"Oh yeah? HOW WERE YOU FLYING?"
Hiyoku grinned, pride evident in his voice.
"I flung myself island to island using my fire."
Verte rolled her eyes, clearly unimpressed.
"And I had to play catch-up with a literal rocket."
Kinrui, still trying to piece together the chaos, piped up.
"Miss Verte, what are you two doing here?"
Verte's expression softened slightly as she replied.
"We're finishing off his training. We're heading to Heavalley."
Toruri's eyes brightened at the mention of their destination.
"Sick! We're trying to get there too."
Hiyoku's excitement was palpable.
"I can't wait to fight some dragons!"
Verte's response was swift and firm.
"You're not fighting any dragons."
Hiyoku pouted, a hint of mischief in his tone.
"You say that now, but just wait until they try to blow me up or something."
Verte shot him a glare.
"Are you still holding onto the fact that the last time we went somewhere, you got blown up with a building?"
Hiyoku shrugged, a hint of humor in his eyes.
"How would I not?! If I were any other normal person, I'd be traumatized."
Toruri interjected, a playful grin on his face.
"If you were any other normal person, you'd be dead—"
Hiyoku's expression turned serious.
"Well, I'm ready for it this time. Hey, trapper, aren't you kinda weak?"
Toruri blinked, taken aback.
"Excuse me?"
Hiyoku continued, a smirk playing on his lips.
"I might not have been conscious, but Shimisu told me all about how you lost to him."
Toruri scoffed, indignation rising.
"That was just dumb luck. Now I'm a lot stronger. I could definitely beat him in a fight now."
Hiyoku crossed his arms, skepticism written all over his face.
"What do you even do?"
Toruri shrugged, a hint of pride in his voice.
"I make traps. A tiny bit more."
Hiyoku chuckled, his eyes narrowing.
"Ice traps? So you aren't as good as that damn inheritor."
Toruri rolled his eyes, dismissive.
"Who, Ryoshi? At ice magic? Definitely. Even Fuyu knows that being a winter season student doesn't give you too many options for abilities. So I breathe fire and stuff—"
Hiyoku's laughter erupted.
"You breathe fire? What are you, a dragon?"
Toruri smirked, leaning into the joke.
"Kinda."
Hiyoku grinned widely.
"Well, I guess I'm fighting a dragon today!"
Toruri shook his head, amused.
"I'm not gonna fight you."
Hiyoku's enthusiasm was unyielding.
"I haven't had a good sparring partner in ages! Besides, there's only room for one fire guy."
Toruri laughed, shaking his head.
"You can have that title. I'm going for a more versatile arsenal. I was just born with the ability to breathe fire."
Hiyoku crossed his arms, a fiery determination lighting his eyes.
"You make me wish I didn't lose to Ryoshi. That's why the first moment I get, I'm fighting that guy again!"
Toruri smirked, the playful camaraderie shining through.
"Go at it, champ."
Verte, however, broke the light-hearted banter.
"Toruri."
Toruri turned to her, curiosity piqued.
"Hm?"
Verte pointed towards October, her expression shifting from annoyance to intrigue.
"What is that?"
Toruri gestured toward the gleaming figure beside him.
"That's my robot, October. Say hi."
October responded in a smooth, mechanical tone.
"Hello."
Hiyoku's eyes widened in disbelief.
"You have a robot? Where did you get a robot? When did you get a robot? Can I have one?"
Toruri chuckled, amused by the whirlwind of questions.
"Yes, I have a robot. He was part of M.A.G.I.C, then I hit him really hard and became his master. I got him about four or five months ago. And no, you can't have one."
Suddenly, Hecate zoomed up to Toruri's ear, her presence adding to the unusual mix.
"I'm here too!"
Toruri turned his head, smirking at Hecate.
"Oh yeah, and there's a fly with a black knight in it, both from the future."
Hiyoku shook his head, a mix of envy and excitement dancing in his eyes.
"Whatever you've been doing has been A LOT more interesting than what I've been doing!!!"
Verte, her brow furrowed in skepticism, chimed in.
"Did Shuno really let you keep this many pets?"
Hecate flitted indignantly.
"I'm not his pet!"
Verte narrowed her eyes, the question lingering in the air.
"Well, did Shuno really let you keep a robot?"
Toruri nodded proudly.
"Yep!"
Hiyoku's jaw dropped.
"What?!"
Toruri leaned in, eager to share his recent adventure.
"I just got out of a fight with a weird crocodile-shark-squid-octopus hybrid thing from M.A.G.I.C."
Hiyoku's excitement surged.
"You got to fight M.A.G.I.C?! I fought one weak M.A.G.I.C dude with a hatchet, the greatest martial artist in the world, and a car dealership owner."
Toruri raised an eyebrow, genuinely intrigued.
"That sounds... interesting."
Hiyoku's expression soured a bit.
"I haven't even encountered a worthy M.A.G.I.C guy. All I got was a hitman put on me."
Verte shifted the conversation, her tone suddenly serious.
"Where is Shuno?"
Kinrui shrugged, his voice tinged with disappointment.
"He left us!"
Hiyoku grinned mischievously, his eyes sparkling with amusement.
"I guess you're chaperoning more, Verte!"
He turned to look at Verte, only to find her staring blankly ahead, an expression of exhaustion etched on her face.
Verte sighed deeply.
"I did not sign up for this."
Toruri's voice was reassuring, filled with camaraderie.
"It's only a quick trip to the center of the island. It shouldn't be anything too hard!"
Verte shot him a skeptical glance.
"That's if Hiyoku doesn't mess anything up. Let's get going, I guess. Better sooner than later."
With that, the group ventured into the forest, the dense foliage welcoming them with whispers of adventure.