Osaka, Japan
Jack and Julie's Arcade
April 2nd, 2023
"I'm okay," Mike reassured Shino as he left the arcade alongside Alice and Rika.
Shino immediately pulled Mike into a tight embrace, his worry and relief palpable.
"Where have you been, man? I was so worried about you," Shino said, his voice filled with genuine concern.
Mike, still catching his breath, struggled to respond.
"I... I couldn't... breathe," Mike managed to gasp out between breaths, tapping on Shino's arms.
Concerned, Shino quickly released his grip, allowing Mike to catch his breath. Mike continued panting heavily, his hand instinctively touching his neck as he struggled for air.
"I was trapped inside. I was trying to find a way to escape with Alice and Rika," Mike explained, his voice still strained from the ordeal.
"That kid did well back there, Mike. The green-eyed one," Baldur remarked.
"Yeah, without Kaiba's help, that battle would have been far from won,"
Earlier that evening ~
"It's a child?" Mike questioned, taken aback by the unexpected sight.
"It's a damned creature, Mike! Nothing more, nothing less! Stay focused!" Alice exclaimed, swiftly blocking a barrage of fireballs aimed at them. Mike summoned his mystic sword once more, bracing himself to intercept the next wave of attacks.
While Mike continued to block the incoming fireballs, he couldn't help but glance towards Kaiba to see if he had made any progress in preparing his ability. To his astonishment, he noticed that Kaiba's hair had turned golden, and he was now hovering mid-air, surrounded by a mystical energy.
A powerful aura emanated from Kaiba, causing even the damned flame to react. The flames grew wilder, intensifying their barrage specifically aimed at Kaiba.
Mike and Alice did their best to intercept the fireballs, managing to block some of them. However, a few fireballs slipped past their defenses.
Fortunately, Rika swiftly intervened, employing her vines to block the wayward projectiles, preventing them from causing harm.
The combined efforts of the group kept them on their toes, fighting against the relentless assault of the damned flame while also ensuring their own safety.
As Kaiba's energy continued to intensify, the group could sense that his preparation was nearing its climax.
"It's almost time, nya. Do as much damage to the flame as you can, nya," Teacher Cat advised, prompting both Alice and Mike to nod in agreement.
Mike positioned himself to throw his sword with maximum force. He planted one foot forward while keeping the other foot back for balance. Firmly gripping the handle of his sword, he propelled it towards the core of the raging flames.
Simultaneously, Alice employed her telekinesis to lift a piece of metal, compressing it into a spear-like pole. With precision, she hurled the makeshift weapon towards the pillar of flames.
In the midst of their attacks, Kaiba's energy surged to its peak. The triangle shape he had formed with his fingers erupted, unleashing a potent laser beam that pierced through the heart of the flames. Mike's sword and Alice's spear followed suit, delivering their combined assault.
As the smoke cleared, the dissipating flames unveiled the shadowy figure of a young girl, impaled by the golden spear through her heart.
The shadowy figure of the young girl locked eyes with the group, her hand outstretched as if imploring for help. It was a haunting sight, as if she was pleading for salvation. Then, her body collapsed to the ground, the sound of the spear hitting the floor resonating through the air.
A sense of sadness and unease filled the room as the group approached the fallen figure. Alice, Mike, and the others exchanged concerned glances, unsure of what they should do next.
"You should do it, Mike. Besides, we already have exceptional abilities. Right, Rika?" Alice said, smirking and hiding the immense pain from her burns.
"Yeah, it would benefit us too, since we're a group," Rika smiled in response.
"Should I?" Mike asked, and the group nodded in agreement, even Teacher Cat.
Mike did what he usually did. He closed his eyes, stretched out his arm, and imagined a swirling vortex disintegrating the body and absorbing its essence.
Then, the usual holographic screen appeared.
+
[You gained a new ability]
[Pyromancy (D)
Enables you to augment flames]
+
"It seems like it was a success," Mike said, looking at his hands as the shadowy young girl's corpse vanished into dust.
"You got to show off your cool ability, huh, Kaiba?" Alice asked, nudging Kaiba.
"It was pretty taxing," Kaiba replied awkwardly while holding Teacher Cat in his arms.
"It's time for us to leave, nya. There are already a lot of people outside, nya. We'll go through the back door, nya. You three should go to the front and meet up with your friends, nya!" Teacher Cat instructed and tapped Kaiba, signaling that it's time to go.
Kaiba waved goodbye to the group and left with Teacher Cat. Alice, Rika, and Mike gathered themselves and approached the front door.
"Mike! Where are you? I'm coming, buddy! Don't worry!" Shino's voice was heard from outside. As soon as Mike heard this, he smirked and shook his head.
"This guy, always so dramatic," he thought to himself.
They exited the arcade and were greeted by the frantic Shino.
Present ~
"Thank God you're alright!" Shino exclaimed, grasping Mike's shoulders.
Mike just smiled back, feeling grateful for his friend's concern, but he could also feel his stamina fading. Alice and Rika were also staggering due to their injuries.
Multiple authorities quickly rushed towards them, and a couple of nurses arrived to treat their injuries.
Alice, with her burns, was taken to an ambulance, while Rika and Mike received first aid on the spot.
Moments later, when everyone had already rested and been treated, Mike decided to approach Alice. Rika saw this and went with him too.
"Why didn't you tell me there was going to be a dam at this place?" Mike asked sternly. His eyes pierced through Alice, demanding an explanation.
"I'm sorry, Mike. It's just... It wasn't certain yet," Alice started. "But it went well, right? There's no need to get so worked up about it."
"We almost died, Alice. And Shino and June could've been swept up as well. If it weren't for Kaiba being there, the authorities would be retrieving our corpses by now."
"If it weren't for us, the authorities wouldn't be standing here right now. Mike, don't get me started on this."
"You should have told me at least. You want my help, and you're keeping secrets from me?"
"Actually, it was my idea to keep it a secret," Rika interjected, raising her hand and claiming her fault. "Alice told me that it was still uncertain. So, I told her to keep quiet about it for the meantime and just have fun."
"That could have cost us our lives," Mike responded swiftly, his voice cracking mid-sentence, depicting his strong emotions.
"I... I apologize. It was all my fault. It won't happen again," Rika replied frantically, her head hanging low.
Mike stormed off in frustration and went straight home. As he walked on the street, he remembered what had happened inside the arcade. The intense battle they couldn't have won without Kaiba's assistance.
"I couldn't do anything back there. If an enemy of that caliber comes back again, it could cost us lives," Mike said to Baldur, looking at his hands as he repeatedly clenched the air.
"You did well, Mike. Don't be too hard on yourself. My abilities aren't strong enough yet to let you fight enemies like that alone. That's why you have companions to help you win these battles. It's only your second day using these abilities," Baldur explained, consoling the frustrated Mike.
With Baldur's help, Mike managed to regain his calm state. His mind cleared as he recalled how he had spoken to Alice and Rika.
"I was too harsh on both of them, huh? Maybe I shouldn't have spoken like that," Mike said.
"They understand where you were coming from, Mike. They'll be fine," Baldur reassured him.
Mike simply nodded and continued heading back to his apartment.
"I just remembered, you still haven't tested out the new ability you obtained," Baldur said excitedly, hovering inside Mike's head.
"I guess you're right. Want to go for a test drive?" Mike smirked. It was the first time Baldur had seen this side of Mike. He grinned in response and replied, "Why wouldn't I?"
Instead of entering his apartment, Mike went to the deserted area at the back of the building.
He summoned a holographic screen and read the description of his new ability again:
+
[Pyromancy (D)
Enables you to augment flames]
+
"So, how can I use this?" Mike pondered.
"Try visualizing it and intending to use it. That worked before," Baldur suggested, referring to how Mike's other ability worked when he simply imagined it.
Mike attempted to envision conjuring fire in his hands, but unfortunately, it was unsuccessful.
"Maybe try using the sword? Some abilities work when channeled through a medium," Baldur suggested.
Mike nodded and summoned his mystic sword. He imagined a raging fire crawling towards his sword, engulfing the entire blade and devouring it whole.
As Mike opened his eyes, he felt his hand growing hotter. To his amazement, he saw a flaming sword in his grip, burning intensely. He continued channeling his energy into it.
"You did it! Now, keep that away, or we might cause a disturbance," Baldur cautioned, and Mike nodded.
He made his sword vanish and returned to his apartment, proud of his new feat.