As if summoned by the words, two figures materialized from the shadows, their sudden appearance causing Felix and Ryota to instinctively move closer to Suzu and the children. The newcomers wore black cloaks that rippled softly in the cool breeze, the fabric so dark it seemed to absorb what little light filtered through the canopy. Their faces remained hidden in the depths of their hoods, save for their mouths.
The figure on the right wore a cruel smile, lips twisted in a malevolent grin that sent a chill down Ryota's spine. This figure stood slightly forward, exuding an aura of malice and barely contained violence. The figure on the left stood a bit behind, their posture more relaxed yet no less menacing for its calm demeanor. The forest seemed to hold its breath, waiting to see what would happen next in this unexpected confrontation.
"We are supposed to kill them, right?" The voice of the figure on the right sliced through the silence, dripping with eager malice.
His words hung heavily in the air like a physical threat, prompting Suzu to pull the children closer against her side while Felix clenched his fists so tightly that his knuckles turned white. The children's wide eyes reflected both fear and confusion as they sensed the danger looming before them.
"No, G," came the measured response from the figure on the left, the voice feminine.
"Remember, we are here to retrieve the negatives."
G's shoulders slumped slightly, disappointment evident in his tone.
"Oh, come on, torturing is more fun than talking."
Ryota's eyes widened in recognition. He leaned closer to Felix, his voice barely above a whisper.
"They must be Kaals. You need to protect Suzu and the boys. I'll deal with them using the zen breathing techniques."
"I can help," Felix said.
"No, you can't. Remember that your time limit for your Zor energy is over." Ryota said.
Their hushed conversation was abruptly interrupted by G's impatient bark. "What are you two blabbering about over there?"
Ryota stepped forward, his stance wary but determined.
"Did Leonardo send you?" he asked, his voice steady despite the fear churning in his gut.
"WHO? THAT BALDY?" G replied, his voice rising in anger, the name 'Leonardo' seeming to ignite a particular fury within him.
"Calm down, G," said the feminine voice. Her words seemed to have an immediate effect, and G's posture relaxed slightly.
Ryota's heart raced. These adversaries were clearly not to be taken lightly. Then G suddenly held a gloved hand to his face, adopting an exaggerated thinking pose as he leaned slightly to one side.
"Now what was that lame line we always say to these people?"
After a moment, he snapped his fingers, the sound unnaturally loud in the tense atmosphere.
"Oh yeah!" he exclaimed, his voice dripping with malicious glee.
"You can surrender quietly, or we'll make you suffer the humiliation before you come. The choice is yours."
As G's words hung in the air like a dark omen, Felix and Ryota exchanged a meaningful glance, silently communicating their next move. Behind them, Suzu hugged the children more tightly; her face was as pale as the delicate wildflowers dotting the forest floor. The boys whimpered softly against her side—Jun trembling with fear while Kai peeked out with wide eyes, trusting in Felix and Ryota.
Ryota closed his eyes and began inhaling deeply through his nose, exhaling softly in rhythmic breaths. He felt a familiar surge of energy coursing through his body, his muscles coiling with newfound strength. In his mind, he steeled his resolve, his inner voice steady and determined.
"I might have to use all my body's energy," Ryota thought, the weight of his decision settling heavily upon him, "but it doesn't matter as long as my family is safe."
When Ryota opened his eyes, he found G suddenly looming near his face, having crossed the distance in the blink of an eye. Time seemed to slow as the cloaked figure hovered over him, the darkness beneath his hood deepening impossibly.
"I got bored," G said, his voice laced with pure malice—a sound that chilled the very air around them. Ryota could hear his own heartbeat echoing in his ears.
[Ba-dum] [Ba-dum]
Before Ryota could react, G's fist connected with his face with devastating force, sending him crashing into the trees at nearly the speed of sound. The impact reverberated through the forest—a cacophony of splintering wood, rustling leaves, and cracking branches. Ryota's body carved a path of destruction through the underbrush before coming to rest in a crumpled heap at the base of an ancient oak, rendered unconscious by the brutal blow.
"Look at him! Pathetic!" G taunted, his voice dripping with sadistic glee.
"Big Guy thought he could protect someone? Just another toy to be broken," he whispered to himself.
"G, don't kill him," said the female voice calmly as she appeared next to G, her movement as silent and swift as a shadow. The hem of her black cloak barely stirred the fallen leaves beneath her feet.
"Don't worry, T," said G, stretching his limbs languidly, the joints in his fingers popping audibly.
"I've only broken some facial bones and a few ribs on that one."
"I will go bring that dog," said G before seeming to dematerialize, moving towards Ryota's prone form with inhuman speed, leaving behind only a faint disturbance in the air.
T remained where she was, her hidden gaze fixed on Felix, who found himself rooted to the spot—unable to move a muscle. The forest around him blurred and wavered under T's oppressive presence. Anger clawed at his throat as he desperately tried to move but remained powerless. He felt each heartbeat painfully echoing within him.
"Why can't I move?" he thought desperately.
"Is this the power of negative Zor energy?"
Frustration coursed through him as he realized he was powerless to act. Behind him, Suzu and the children had succumbed to unconsciousness, overwhelmed by the invisible energy pressure directed at them. They lay still on the forest floor, vulnerable and exposed, their quiet breathing the only sign of life.
T's cool and detached voice cut through the early afternoon air, carrying with it a hint of curiosity that seemed at odds with the gravity of the situation.
"You're still standing?" she questioned.
"How amusing," she added, the words falling like ice into the tense silence of the forest as Felix strained against her invisible grip.
Every fiber of Felix's being strained against the invisible force that held him in place. The weight of his failure to protect his companions pressed down on him, threatening to crush his spirit. He watched helplessly as T approached him with measured steps.
Despite being slightly shorter than Felix, T reached out with a gloved hand and grasped his neck. With strength that belied her size, she lifted him off the ground. Felix felt the pressure on his throat increase gradually, his airway constricting as T's fingers tightened their grip. His vision began to darken at the edges, the forest around him fading as he struggled for breath.
As darkness began to encroach on the edges of his vision, T's voice seemed to come from far away.
"What are you afraid of losing?" she asked, her words echoing in Felix's fading consciousness.
"When nothing in the world belongs to you..."
Suddenly, the underbrush to their left exploded in a flurry of leaves and branches. A massive komainu burst forth, its red body and golden fur gleaming in the dappled sunlight.
The guardian beast's powerful muscles rippled beneath its stone-like hide as it charged at T with unyielding ferocity, its eyes blazing with otherworldly fire.
T leaped aside with inhuman grace, releasing Felix just in time for him to crumple to the mossy ground.
[Thud]
"Gasp..." Felix struggled for air, his lungs burning as they greedily sucked in oxygen. Finally able to move, he looked up at the lion-like beast towering over him.
"Grrrrr.."
The komainu stood several feet tall, its mouth open in a fierce snarl that revealed sharp teeth glistening like daggers. Thick curls of mane-like fur framed its neck and shoulders, enhancing its majestic yet intimidating appearance. Its long, bushy tail curled upwards defiantly as it prepared to confront T.
"What's a Zor beast doing here?" T thought as she gazed at the komainu.
As Felix regained his composure, an old voice echoed from within the shadows of the forest.
"I see that you have gotten into trouble, little one," it said softly but firmly.
Emerging from the depths was an elderly woman with scars on both her eyes—the same woman who had met Felix by the river days ago. Recognition sparked within him; he had not expected to see her again under such dire circumstances.
"It's her," Felix thought in disbelief.
Suddenly G reappeared near T just as another komainu emerged from where Ryota had been thrown. This second komainu mirrored its companion closely but radiated a nurturing aura instead.
It grasped Ryota by his Nagagi with its powerful jaws before laying him gently on the ground beside Felix and joining its counterpart. T signaled G with a subtle motion; they vanished into thin air like shadows retreating from light.
Felix struggled to his feet, his hand clenching a fistful of dirt in frustration at his inability to keep his promise. His entire body trembled, a bead of sweat trickling down his forehead.
"Don't falter," the old lady said, her voice carrying a strength that belied her years.
"Lift your head," she said.
Felix raised his gaze, taking in the sight of his companions. The scene before him triggered a memory—an image of a city once covered in bodies, a reminder of past failures and the heavy burden of responsibility. Fear of loss threatened to overwhelm him, constricting his chest and clouding his thoughts.
"Child, your friends require help. Now," the old woman's voice cut through his spiraling thoughts.
Felix turned to her, his eyes pleading.
"Ma'am, will you help these people?" He asked, his voice barely above a whisper. It was the first time he had ever had to ask anyone for help, and the words felt foreign on his tongue.
"I shall," she replied, her tone reassuring.
Without hesitation, the old woman moved to Ryota's side. Despite her blindness, she seemed to sense exactly where he lay. A soft glow emanated from her hands as she channeled her Zor energy, the healing power flowing into Ryota's battered body.
"My village is nearby," she said, her focus unwavering. "Please put your friends atop the komainu."
With great care, Felix approached Ryota, his closest companion. His heart clenched painfully as he gently lifted Ryota, feeling each labored breath against his chest. The komainu's back was broad and sturdy, easily accommodating Ryota's prone form.
Next, Felix tended to Suzu. Her small frame felt impossibly fragile in his arms, her body cold to the touch. As he carefully positioned her next to Ryota, a thought flickered through Felix's mind, sharp and painful.
"Friends?" The word felt almost like a betrayal. Did he truly deserve their friendship, given his failure to protect them?
After helping the old woman onto the same creature, Felix was going to pick up the boys.
"Child," she called softly.
"Yes ma'am," he replied.
"Kindly remember that you now find yourself in my debt," she said with a bright smile on her round face.
"Yes, I know; I will repay it as soon as I can," Felix said.
"Fear not; there is no need for you to concern yourself with repayment at this moment. That can certainly wait. Rest assured, I have already made a note of your promise to repay me."
With renewed determination, Felix gathered the other boys and situated them alongside himself on the second komainu. As he mounted the beast, he felt a surge of pure Zor energy emanating from it—an exhilarating force that filled him with awe. The realization dawned on him: these were Zor beasts, manifestations of the old lady's incredible Zor energy. Few could learn this technique, and even fewer could master it to such an extent. Their strength was palpable; it became clear why the Kaals had retreated—this unassuming elderly woman was far more formidable than she appeared.
As they set off towards the village, the sun began to set, casting long shadows through the trees. A light fog rolled in, adding an ethereal quality to their journey. Felix's mind raced with thoughts of what lay ahead. It had been ages since he had ventured into a populated area, and the prospect filled him with a mixture of hope and trepidation.
After fifteen minutes of traveling through the misty forest, they finally approached the old lady's village. Felix scanned the horizon, but not a single light was visible in the distance. The absence of any signs of life heightened his nervousness, though his expression remained impassive, concealing the turmoil brewing within.
As they drew closer to their destination, Felix couldn't help but wonder what awaited them in this hidden village. Would they find the help his companions so desperately needed? The weight of uncertainty pressed down upon him, but a small spark of hope flickered in his chest, urging him forward into the unknown.