With a clenched fist, Yuso dragged his body throughout the woodlands of Adonai with shame. His crimson-red hair had yet to cease its continuous growth, the length dropping loosely to the mid-section of the male's kimono-clad back.
Miniscule cuts and rips cascaded down Yuso's black kimono, which were received from his encounter with the masked man from the last village the redhead found himself in. Yuso believed Furusato to be the name of it.
'Lord Phoenix…'
The name felt sour in Yuso's mouth. To make it worse, that very person managed to flick Yuso away—like an annoying insect buzzing through the air. The act left the red-haired Yuso with immeasurable displeasure.
Such power—primarily held within the three nations—felt intimidating. However, the masked man's power wasn't all that fogged Yuso's mind.
It was his words.
—Flashback—
'Oh, a side note before I free you: I recommend that you get a hold on that power of yours. If you don't, it'll fester inside of you until you eventually consume everything. I'd hate to see these graceful lands of mine be encompassed by a lonesome boy's... resentment.'
—Flashback End—
Resentment…
Yuso didn't believe that he could experience such a needless emotion. Master had always said that fallible sentiments lead one to a path of torture and vulnerability—and Yuso trusted him.
Now, all Yuso feels is deep-rooted hatred toward Lord Phoenix. His open-ended arrogance, constant gloating, and the determined mindset of becoming a… god.
The redhead strived to be like his predecessor, Lucifer. Feared by the world, he conquered the lands of the gods—killing all of them during a brutal war. It sounded like bliss. Immense strength that can back up the name.
Being toyed with by a man who hides behind a mask destroyed Yuso's stride. The vessel of the Dragon of Fire Moeru had defeated Yuso indefinitely—but even he seemed vulnerable at moments. Yuso's adaptability was typically unmatched. His demonic eyes were always keen and sharp, and he overthrew hundreds of high-class warriors.
But even they couldn't hold a candle to Lord Phoenix, and it made Yuso sick.
As usual, Yuso's adept thinking drove the redhead into an idea. One that would appear conceptually idiotic—especially in the eyes of his master. But, within his theory, Yuso only found good.
If he were to double his power through emotion—then indulging in the most powerful and effective would certainly lead Yuso to the top. To the name Lucifer.
In an instant, Yuso's Shirugeto eyes spun rapidly. In a hundred kilometers, a group of warriors trudged through the forest.
Before Yuso leaped off the ground, he voiced his final thoughts:
"If I am to become the strongest, then I'll just have to adjust to these… new emotions."
XXX
Kono could feel every ache that radiated throughout his body. The blonde gripped his stomach painfully, grimacing slightly. The fox-like male trudged through the trees, navigating his way across a forest outside of Buraun.
"Damn it…"
He was surprised that he had not suffered greater internal damage. The kick he had felt from the random warrior was powerful—managing to knock Kono throughout the entire village, destroying everything in his trajectory.
"I didn't even see the damn warrior move." Kono voiced, lapped in his own thoughts.
It was instant. Kono didn't even see the warrior move. Even with him bracing for an attack, the fox-like male never expected such a powerful blow. Despite his six tails having sprouted, the blonde doubts that the outcome of that fight would have waned in the slightest if he had brought out any more. That alone was shocking, as Kono easily surpassed the majority of every warrior within the village of Buraun.
However, that wasn't all that plagued Kono's conscience.
Before being kicked, Kono had heard a shout.
'Akogare!'
That was the name he heard. When he looked upward, he found himself staring at a blonde kid forced to the ground by his partner, Rei.
But, standing mere meters away, was someone else. It was a girl, with long, pink hair. He may have been far, but he easily noticed the cat-like eyes that the girl possessed. More importantly…
…He noticed her aura print.
His visage flickered, contempt and displeasure washing over Kono's form.
"This world is too cruel," Kono claimed cryptically.
Suddenly, Kono relieved his Aura Sense, forcing his six tails to dissipate quickly as he placed himself on a tree branch, resting his back against the trunk.
His breath was labored, exhaustion setting in. Moving non-stop, traveling throughout Adonai with his partners was negligibly taxing. Tanking a ferocious attack only amplified the fatigue tenfold.
Gradually, Kono's breath slowed, calming with every second. Every cut on the blonde's body slowly started to disappear.
'If I just keep my Aura Sense focused on my wounds, I'll be set straight within the hour.' Kono assured himself, resting the back of his head against the tree.
It was amazing how the Aura Sense could enhance the body's procedures—blood cells, for example. All it takes is pressing magic into the wound, and in a matter of seconds, any scratches or lacerations of a certain degree start to vanish. Although, it does depend on how deep the wound is as well as how good the control the person has over their magic is.
Quietly, Kono chuckled humorously, particular thoughts racing through his head. Recently, the fox-like male attempted to contact Lord Phoenix, never getting any response.
It only took a matter of seconds for Kono to realize.
"That bastard finally got what was coming to him. I'd hate to cross the person who killed him, though."
Every day, since he joined Shinkaku, Lord Phoenix's presence could be felt within his Aura Sense. It was as if he wasn't one person anymore. But now, that feeling was gone.
At first, most would believe that Lord Phoenix simply disconnected himself from Kono—but the blonde disregarded that immediately.
Kono was aware of his importance. He was stronger than any of the followers of Shinkaku. His physical prowess and consistent returns after fatal incidents—such as the death of Group Jinshu—were heavily admired by the masked lord.
It would take a miracle to separate Lord Phoenix from Kono—but low and behold, a miracle surely happened.
However, Kono had a decision to make: what would he do now? His only group of civilization that welcomed him was most likely gone. Every warrior amongst Shinkaku was dispatched, which means that Lord Phoenix was aware of his opponent's strength from the beginning.
"Maybe going to Buraun was a blessing in disguise…" Kono brushed his hair lazily, ruffling several blonde strands. A smile spread across his face.
"Because it seems that I still have one person of interest left."
XXX
It appears that Lord Phoenix's death was apparent to Kono! Who is Kono referring to? And why? Does Yuso really intend on utilizing his emotions to grow stronger? Will it truly work? Who knows!? Stay tuned to find out!
Have a Great Day!
Peace - Cr1ticalz_