With the passing of a few days, the dilapidated village of Furusato remained unlivable, with destroyed buildings and the dead littering the walkways of the once desirable home. The morning sun proceeded to creep into the sky once more, illuminating the earth like a colossal torch.
The pinnacle of the village, Furusato's grand edifice—the castle—is where Imawashiki strode down ostensibly interminable halls at a leisurely pace, his expression sedate and his cloak swaying gently. Despite the consistently cold air in the village, the temperature surged in his presence.
With the death of green-haired rogue Doryoku, Imwashiki had become significantly more impulsive. However, Itami, Doryoku's bereaved brother, suffered the most from the death of the previously ring-wielding rogue.
Almost like a stamp inscribing a goal, a plan had materialized in each of their minds. Even if the two goals potentially diverge, both Imawashiki and Itami derive their ideals from one individual the most…
…Regashi Ketsueki.
"Greetings, Milord—I mean, Regashi. I have returned, bearing information." Imawashiki suddenly spoke, finally reaching his destination.
The Furusato Unit's brown-haired ruler stood motionless in front of the fiery abomination, his eyes closed calmly. It was an odd habit that was noticed by almost everyone in the Furusato Unit—though none of the rogues could explain what was going on inside Regashi's head.
Slowly, Regashi peeled his eyes open and directed his gaze at Imawashiki. "You don't need to explain them, Shiki—my eyes see everything, remember?"
It was sinister with how controlling and powerful Regashi was, even to the fiery abomination who had the misfortune of harboring a Tansu Beast within his body. The younger male was devious, cunning, and impossible to subdue in either mental or physical spouts. Obviously, none of the rogues in the Furusato Unit wish to experience his power on themselves again.
"Of course, Regashi." Imawashiki bowed cordially. "However, if I might ask, when shall we enact our plan?"
Regashi's eyes glinted malevolently, a grin stretching his lips. "Soon, Shiki. You know that I like to take my time on things; don't fret about it anymore."
"What about the rising conflict between the nations, Regashi? Surely that could impede our plan of keeping everything in an orderly fashion." The butler-like rogue embellished on his growing thoughts, keeping his arms folded.
The brown-haired male lifted his eyes to the ceiling pensively. It was true that primarily Adonai and Shanti were no longer on stable terms of friendship, which was a substantive concern to the average resident of those nations.
"I suppose that there is an easy solution to your worries, Shiki." Regashi claimed, grasping his chin between two fingers.
Imawashiki arched an eyebrow, perplexed. "What do you suggest?"
Regashi clapped his hands together and proudly said, "We start a war!"
Imawashiki became bewildered. It did not appear to be a solution, but more of a way to encourage the hatred brewing in the Three Great Nations.
"A war, Regashi? I only see that delaying us tremendously." The Tansu-harboring rogue voiced, craning his head to the side.
Regashi shook his head softly, shifting his body to face Imawashiki. "Tell me, what occurs during a very bloody and destructive war, especially in a world like ours?"
"Suffering, Regashi."
The brown-haired male sighed. "People are already suffering, Shiki. But do you know what accompanies that suffering? Death. Think about this carefully."
In silence, Imawashiki closed his eyes to contemplate what his lord was trying to explain. If anguish and suffering are not what Regashi hopes to start, but death is, how could that be beneficial for forging a new world?
"Oh…" Imawashiki gasped, "I see, Regashi. If the war were to take place, then it could potentially expedite our plan."
Though the Tansu vessel did not express the plan verbally, his thoughts on the future of the world were racing. A war, framed as a sinner's game, is now envisioned as a path to a new reality.
"I must thank you for the insight, Regashi. I'll be taking my leave now." Imawashiki abruptly stated, bowing once more before departing in a swirl of fire.
Regashi chuckled to himself, now alone and unseen. Watching conflicts unfold and causing a war was typical for a rogue in the current world; they're destructive, greedy, and desire power.
Suddenly, one of Regashi's eyes twitched sporadically, and then his head was forced to tilt to the side sharply. Quickly, the brown-haired male grabbed his head with one hand, pressing his palm against his cheek.
"Brat…" Regashi muttered, his eyes closed.
*VRRRRMM!*
Without warning, an orange rift tore through the air behind Regashi, emitting a light brighter than any torch or window in the entire castle. Slowly, a person ambled out of the orange-colored rift that seemingly tore space apart.
Regashi, curious, spun around, his green eyes shining at the sight of what stood before him.
Standing tall, a man with lava-orange hair and a sleeveless black robe with red marks lining his torso glowered at Regashi with a venomous countenance. The power that the man gave off was extreme—it surpassed anyone that the brown-haired male has ever met.
"Regashi Ketsueki?" The lava-haired man inquired, narrowing his malicious eyes.
The male in question analyzed the intruding guest of immense power. A smile gradually spread across Regashi's face.
"Indeed." Regashi answered coolly, clasping his hands together.
The powerful man inhaled confidently and spoke with a booming voice: "You do not know who I am, but I am well aware of who you are, boy. You're an apparent threat to the multiverse, so, in short, you are to die, human."
The brown-haired male remained silent for a short stretch of time, his lips retaining the smile from before.
"A threat to the multiverse, you say? What would lead you to that conclusion?" Regashi pondered, meeting the man's gaze.
The powerful man with lava-orange hair scoffed. "Why would I explain myself to you? I am—!"
"Hades, a god?" Regashi interrupted the man, his smile broadening.
Hades, the man confirmed to be standing before the brown-haired ruler, gritted his teeth together in anger. The heat in the room grew exponentially, more so than what was emitted by Imawashiki.
"I know of your little clique, boy—your 'Imawashiki' was one of my creations! His power spawned from a beast that I put into this realm, but you humans were entitled to the point of stealing our possessions for yourself, including the Aura Senses!"
Regashi tilted his head to the right. "And, how exactly, do you plan to kill me, Hades?"
The god pumped his chest outward, his muscles tense. "I am a god, human! I can erase universes with a twirl of my finger! I should be asking you how you're going to escape me!"
Regashi's eyes glinted for the umpteenth time.
"Let's find out, shall we?"
XXX
Standing in an underground bunker, a particularly aged man glowed with pride and strength. After acquiring all five rings for himself, Yuso's master felt himself to be rejuvenated; he was significantly more powerful, as if he had dipped into the fountain of youth.
All was going well: His power increased more than just tenfold; he was no longer impeded by the constructs of what this world had to offer; and his little pupil was still under his command. Without Yuso, the elderly man would have undoubtedly been weaker, unable to procure necessary items and perpetrate hundreds of missions successfully.
"Although… he does seem to be growing more independent. It's only a matter of time before—!"
*SHRRM!*
The elderly man was instantly blinded by a flash of red, prompting him to shield his eyes with his hand. The light eventually faded, revealing Yuso, the red-headed Demon of Adonai.
"Ah, Yuso—what is it that you need?" Master spoke in a soft tone, welcoming.
Yuso stared down his master with his Shirugeto, stolid as ever. Residing inside the redhead, however, was a storm of emotions waiting to erupt from their mortal vessel.
Then wielder of the Shirugeto then parted his mouth to speak:
"What I want is freedom… and I will be taking it by force."
XXX
Darn, I'm lazy! I used to be able to crack chapters out almost every day! Including when I barely even had a properly facilitated plotline! I'm still moving forward and a lot is about to happen! What am I speaking about? Stay tuned for more!
Have a Great Day!
Peace - Cr1ticalz_