Part 1:
The air inside was thick with an oppressive darkness that seemed to swallow the faint light filtering in from the alleyway.
As they stepped further into the tower, the detectives exchanged a silent agreement to proceed cautiously, their hands hovering near their weapons. The sound of their footsteps echoed off the cold stone walls, creating an eerie rhythm that seemed to reverberate through the empty space.
"Keep your guard up," Asahi whispered, his voice barely audible over the sound of their own breathing.
Haruto nodded in response, his senses on high alert as they moved deeper into the unknown. The faint glow of their flashlights illuminated the way ahead, casting long shadows that danced along the walls.
Suddenly, they heard a low, guttural sound echoing from somewhere up ahead—a sound that sent a shiver down their spines. Without exchanging a word, they quickened their pace, their hearts pounding in their chests as they approached the source of the noise.
As they rounded a corner, they came face to face with a sight that made their blood run cold—a legion, its twisted form towering over them with menacing intent. Its eyes glowed with a malevolent light as it lurched forward, its movements slow and deliberate.
"Stay back! It's a threat level C legion!!" Asahi shouted, his voice ringing out in the darkness as he drew his weapon.
But before they could react, the legion lunged forward with lightning speed, its claws slashing through the air with deadly accuracy. Asahi and Haruto dove out of the way just in time, their hearts pounding in their chests as they scrambled to their feet.
"We need to take it down!" Haruto shouted, his voice tinged with urgency as he fired off a round of bullets.
Asahi nodded in agreement, his own weapon drawn as they launched into a frenzied battle with the creature. The air filled with the sound of gunfire and growls of the legion being pierced by the bullets, their movements were fueled by adrenaline and desperation to just get over with it.
But despite their best efforts, the legion seemed to be unstoppable, its twisted form absorbing their attacks with ease. With each passing moment, their situation grew more and dire, their resolve beginning to waver in the face of overwhelming odds.
"We need a plan," Asahi gasped, his voice strained with exertion as he dodged another blow from the creature.
Haruto nodded grimly, his eyes flicking to the door behind them. "We need to fall back, regroup. We can't take this thing on all alone, we need reinforcements."
"What reinforcements? We are understaffed!"Asahi brings Naruto back to reality.That they can either clear this tower or let legions roam free all over Tokyo.
As they chipper about what to do next,the legion was not having it. It leaped on the air it's claws headed straight to Asahi's face.
Asahi's mind raced with the urgency of the situation, his instincts pushing him to take drastic action.
Asahi,with his heart pounding in his chest as if it wanted to break free from it's cage,made a split-second decision. Without hesitation, he focused his Kai energy, channeling it into his weapon in a risky move.
"No, Asahi! Don't do it!" Haruto's voice rang out in alarm, but it was too late.
"KAI RELEASE!!"
Asahi's weapon glowed and crackled with Kai energy as he unleashed a powerful blast at the legion, the force of the attack staggering the creature momentarily disintegrating it out of existance. But as the smoke cleared, they realized their mistake.
The presence of Kai energy on the first floor of the tower was forbidden for a reason—it attracted more legions and both Haruto and Asahi knew this.After clearing many towers and gathering information on them,the Secret National police agency banned the use of Kai on the first floor of any tower.This was to reduce the number of casualties that happen while clearing them.
Haruto's face paled with dread as he turned to Asahi, his expression grave. "You've just made things worse, Asahi. Much worse."
Asahi's heart sank as he realized the gravity of his mistake. "I... I didn't think," he stammered,but his voice not with a hint of regret.He did what he thought was right and that was one of principles he grew up with; following his gut.
Haruto's jaw clenched in frustration, but there was no time for recriminations. The sound of approaching footsteps echoed through the darkness, signaling the arrival of more legions.
"You owe me one for doing this Asahi!!"
"KAI RELEASE ; AKAI TASTUMAKI (red tornado)
With a steely resolve, he released his Kai energy, invoking the power of his signature move.
As he channeled his energy, a brilliant crimson glow erupted from his body, illuminating the entire room with its fiery radiance. The glow intensified, swirling around Haruto in a mesmerizing display of power as the red tornado took shape before him.
The tornado spun with ferocious speed, its flames licking hungrily at the air as it tore through the darkness. With a deafening roar, it surged forward, devouring everything in its path with unstoppable force.
The legions, drawn to the Kai energy like moths to a flame, were no match for the fiery tempest. They screamed and writhed in agony as they were engulfed by the swirling vortex, their twisted forms consumed by the flames until nothing remained but ash.
As the last of the legions vanished into the fiery inferno, Haruto's breath, caught in his throat, and his chest heaving with exertion cuts off the Kai energy he was supplying to the flaming tornado.The room was eery with silence now, the only sound being the crackle of flames as they danced in the darkness.
"We need to keep moving," Asahi said, breaking the silence with a sense of urgency in his voice. "We can't loose him."
Haruto nodded , his eyes scanning the room for any sign of their mysterious person of interest as they would call anyone who peaed their interest. "Agreed. Let's split up and search for him. We need to find out what he's up to."
The two followed a path to the end of the floor.There they were faced with a decision to make.There were three doors.Each door would lead them to a different sections of the next floor.Each section with its own challenge and more powerful legions.But these were seasoned legion hunters and high ranking official in the Secret National police agency.Backing down now would mean embarrassment and there was nothing they abhored than being looked down by their coworkers.
Asahi's brow furrowed in thought as he considered their options. "I'll take the left door," he said finally, his voice determined "You take the right. See you at the top."
Haruto nodded in agreement, his gaze steady as he met Asahi's eyes. "Got it. Be careful, partner."
This was the most logical thing to do according to the partners whose teamwork was something to behold.Some from their agency even spread rumors that they were telepathic.Their decision making was top notch, always the best possible choice.
With a shared nod and an unwavering resolve, the two detectives parted ways, each disappearing into the darkness of the tower knowing that maybe one of them will meet their person of interest.
***
Part 2:
On the third floor of the tower, Erebus stood tall, his figure silhouetted against the dim light filtering through the cracks in the walls. As he awaited the arrival of his loyal shadow beasts, Shade and Echo, a sense of anticipation hung heavy in the air. He had sent them to gauge the strength of the two who followed him into the tower
Moments later, Shade materialized before Erebus, his lips curled into a sly grin. "Master, you made the right call on the first floor," he said, his voice dripping with admiration. "Not exterminating those legions was a stroke of genius. The ones who followed are strong.It kept the busy for a while enough for you to clear the second floor"
Echo appeared beside Shade, her demeanor more reserved but no less impressed. "Indeed," she added, her tone clipped yet respectful. "We've encountered formidable opponents.It is best to finish up and leave."
Erebus nodded in satisfaction, his eyes gleaming with confidence. "I knew you could gauge them,and by you saying they are strong means I can't face them as I am ,is it not?" he said, his voice a low rumble of authority. "Anyways , we'll make quick work of the final boss, and then we'll be on our way.I can't risk finding out,not with this kid not ready to accept me."
As he spoke, Erebus moved to activate the conditions to meet the boss—a process that involved placing two keys they had obtained by clearing the first two floors. But as he inserted the keys, a sudden wave of pain washed over him, causing him to crumble to his knees.
Shade and Echo rushed to his side, concern etched on their shadowy features as they called out his name. But as they looked upon their master, they realized something was terribly wrong. Erebus was gone, replaced by a soft and confused voice that spoke just two words:
"Where am I?"