The dim, mana-powered lanterns of the Rebellion's training room cast long shadows as Tenjin tightened the straps of his bracers. Lysara's voice echoed faintly in his ears, a mix of encouragement and jest from their last spar. But today wasn't for training. Today, he was going on his first mission and not just any mission.
"Are you ready?"
The voice startled Tenjin, though he masked it quickly. He turned to see Tora leaning against the doorway. The man's gray hair and matching lifeless eyes seemed to drink in the room's faint light. His scars were numerous, crisscrossing his face and arms like a patchwork of battles survived. He stood motionless, his presence heavy and oppressive.
"Ready as I'll ever be," Tenjin quipped, adjusting his sword on his hip. He forced a grin, hoping to break the ice.
"So, you're my partner for this, huh? Gotta say, you look like you've seen some things."
Tora didn't respond. He turned and began walking, his movements purposeful and silent.
"Alright, great talk.." Tenjin muttered, jogging to catch up.
The Rebellion's enchanted door to the inner city stood in the saloon's storage room, inconspicuous among crates of supplies. Tora placed his hand on the doorframe, muttering a spell under his breath. The faint hum of mana filled the air, and the door's surface shimmered before settling into a glossy, mirror-like sheen.
"Follow me"
Tora said, his tone flat. He stepped through without hesitation.
Tenjin hesitated for only a moment before stepping into the shimmering doorway. The sensation was like being pulled through a thin veil of water, and in an instant, the scenery changed.
The slums of Noval, with their grimy streets and suffocating alleys, were gone. In their place was a breathtaking cityscape that made Tenjin's jaw drop.
The inner city of Noval was a marvel of modern architecture and magical innovation. Towering skyscrapers of glass and steel stretched into the sky, their surfaces shimmering with embedded mana conduits that pulsed with a soft, rhythmic glow. Bridges and walkways crisscrossed between the buildings, some transparent and others engraved with intricate magical runes. Hovering platforms carried people from one level to another, and sleek, mana-powered vehicles glided along pristine roads below.
The early morning light bathed the city in a golden hue, reflecting off the structures in a dazzling display. Parks filled with vibrant, magically enhanced flora dotted the urban expanse, their trees swaying gently despite the lack of wind. High above, mana-powered drones flitted about like mechanical birds, their purposes unknown but their movements precise.
Tenjin's head swiveled as he tried to take it all in.
"This place… it's like another world. I mean, look at that!"
He pointed at a cylindrical tower with rotating platforms near its peak, each one glowing with different colors. "What even is that?"
Tora didn't answer. He walked ahead, his expression as unreadable as ever.
"Okay, noted. You're not much of a tour guide" Tenjin said, quickening his pace to match Tora's. He glanced around again, his amazement undeterred.
Tora's steps halted abruptly. He turned his head slightly, his gaze cutting toward Tenjin.
"Focus."
The single word carried a weight that made Tenjin straighten instinctively.
They continued in silence, weaving through the bustling city. Despite the early hour, the streets were already alive with activity. Well-dressed citizens strolled along wide sidewalks, their faces serene. Mana-powered streetlights dimmed as the natural sunlight grew stronger, and shopfronts displayed everything from enchanted jewelry to floating pastries in their windows.
Tenjin couldn't help but feel out of place. His worn, practical clothes and sword strapped to his back made him stand out among the sleek, tailored outfits of the inner city residents. Yet no one paid him any mind. It was as if the citizens' lives were too perfect to be disrupted by the presence of someone like him.
Their destination came into view as they turned a corner. The Order's facility was a fortress disguised as an office building. Its sleek, reflective exterior blended seamlessly with the surrounding architecture, but the high fences and armed guards patrolling its perimeter told a different story. Mana turrets were discreetly embedded into the walls, their faint hum audible to those who knew what to listen for.
Tenjin whistled low. "Subtle. Really gives off that 'we're definitely not hiding something' vibe."
Tora's eyes scanned the building, his expression unchanging. "Stick to the plan. No deviations."
"Sure thing, boss," Tenjin said, his tone laced with sarcasm. He drew his sword slightly, the black and white flames flickering along its edge.
Tora stepped forward, his ominous aura growing heavier with each step.
Tenjin sighed, shaking his head. "Alright, Mr. Silent Treatment. Let's see what you've got."
Together, they approached the facility's outer gates, the weight of the mission settling over them. The air seemed to thrum with anticipation as Tenjin tightened his grip on his sword, a grin tugging at the corners of his lips.
Tora walked ahead without sparing him a glance, his gray eyes as unreadable as ever. His silent demeanor was unnerving, but Tenjin wasn't about to let that dampen his energy.
Tora finally stopped, his head turning slightly toward Tenjin. "Don't die," he said curtly, his voice devoid of emotion.
"Wow, thanks for the motivational speech," Tenjin shot back, rolling his eyes. "Real inspiring."
Before he could add more, a deep voice boomed from ahead. "Halt! Intruders!"
Four figures emerged from the facility's entrance. Each bore the distinct attire of The Order's elite Wielders, their eyes glowing faintly with the power of their respective elements. One's hands crackled with fire, his aura a flickering orange inferno. Beside him, another floated just above the ground, gusts of wind swirling around her. To their right, a third Wielder's staff shimmered with water droplets, while the last Wielder stood behind them, his hands glowing faintly as arcs of electricity danced around his fingertips.
Tora cracked his knuckles, the faintest shimmer of mana enveloping his body. "Stay out of my way," he said, his tone icy. Without another word, he charged forward, his speed blurring the distance between him and the enemy.
"Guess we're doing this loud!" Tenjin grinned, black and white flames sparking to life at his fingertips. He dashed after Tora, his black-lightning-infused steps leaving scorched streaks on the ground.
The fire Wielder was the first to react, unleashing a massive wave of flames.
WHOOOSH!
The inferno roared toward Tora, but he didn't falter. Instead, he punched through the fire with a thunderous WHAM, the sheer force of his mana-enhanced strike dispersing the flames. Before the Wielder could recover, Tora closed the gap, his fist connecting with the man's jaw in a sickening CRACK that sent him hurtling into the marble wall.
"Show-off" Tenjin muttered, diverting his attention to the air Wielder, who was already summoning razor-sharp wind blades.
"You're mine," Tenjin said, his sword igniting with black and white flames. He dodged the first wind blade with a burst of black-lightning, his form flickering like a phantom. The second blade came faster, but he deflected it with a fiery slash.
SLASH!
The flames hissed as they clashed with the air Wielder's magic, creating a dazzling explosion of sparks.
Tenjin advanced, his sword weaving through the air in precise arcs. He unleashed a crescent wave of fire that roared toward his opponent. The air Wielder countered, summoning a vortex to swallow the flames, but Tenjin was already behind her, his speed catching her off guard.
"Gotcha!"
Tenjin grinned, driving his sword downward.
CLANG!
Her wind barrier absorbed the blow, but the impact forced her to her knees. Tenjin didn't let up, unleashing a flurry of strikes that pushed her back. Each slash left scorched streaks across her armor, his relentless assault overwhelming her defenses.
Meanwhile, Tora faced off against the water Wielder and the healer, who had teamed up to try and subdue him. The healer's hands glowed green, constantly mending the water Wielder's injuries as Tora's brutal strikes found their mark. But even with healing, they were struggling to keep up with his sheer physical dominance.
The water Wielder raised a towering wave, sending it crashing toward Tora with a deafening roar.
"Pathetic"
Tora muttered. He leapt straight through the wave, his body cutting through the water like a blade. Landing in front of the Wielder, he delivered a bone-shattering kick to the man's chest, sending him sprawling.
The healer scrambled to cast a restorative spell, but Tora was faster. With a blur of motion, he grabbed the healer's wrist and twisted it with a sickening SNAP. The healer screamed, only for Tora to silence him with a swift elbow to the temple.
"Two down" Tora said, his voice devoid of triumph.
Tenjin, meanwhile, was locked in a fierce duel with the air Wielder. Her movements were graceful and precise, but Tenjin's adaptability gave him the edge. He feinted a downward slash, then pivoted mid-strike to unleash a burst of flames directly into her chest.
WHOOOMPH! The explosion sent her flying, her body slamming into the ground with a heavy thud. She didn't get back up.
Tenjin turned to see the fire Wielder, now recovered, charging at him with an enraged roar. A torrent of flames erupted from the man's hands, consuming everything in its path.
"Alright, big guy.." Tenjin said, his flames and lightning crackling. He dashed through the inferno, making him a blur. Emerging unscathed, he landed a clean slash across the Wielder's chest, his sword cutting through the man's armor like paper.
Blood sprayed across the floor as the Wielder staggered back, clutching his wound. Tenjin didn't give him a chance to recover. With a burst of fire, he propelled himself forward, driving his sword through the man's heart.
"That's three"
Tenjin said, pulling his blade free as the Wielder's lifeless body crumpled to the ground.
The final Wielder, the water mage, looked between Tenjin and Tora, his confidence wavering. Tora, covered in blood but unscathed, cracked his neck.
"Your turn"
he said, his tone as cold as his eyes.
The water Wielder unleashed a desperate barrage of attacks, sending water spears and tidal waves hurtling toward his opponents. Tenjin and Tora moved in unison, dodging and countering with lethal precision. Tenjin's flames evaporated the water spears mid-flight, while Tora's raw strength shattered every wave that came his way.
In a final, coordinated assault, Tenjin launched a wave of flames to distract the Wielder, while Tora closed the distance with a burst of speed. The Wielder barely had time to react before Tora's fist caved in his skull with a sickening CRUNCH.
The battlefield fell silent, the only sound the crackling of Tenjin's flames as they died down. The four Wielders lay motionless, their blood staining the pristine marble floor.
Tenjin wiped the sweat from his brow, a satisfied grin on his face.
"Not bad right?" he said, glancing at Tora.
Tora didn't respond, his empty eyes scanning the area. Without a word, he turned and began walking toward the facility's entrance.
"You're welcome for the help, by the way" Tenjin muttered, sheathing his sword as he followed. The massive steel doors loomed ahead, their intricate sigils glowing ominously.
The two stood before the entrance, the anticipation thick in the air. Beyond the doors lay their true objective and whatever dangers awaited them within.