The next night, Wei put on his mask. He extended his fan, making it larger, then opened the window of his room and silently took flight. A few doors down, Ryu witnessed the figure moving swiftly across the night sky. Intrigued and concerned, he stepped outside, his instincts urging him to follow. Meanwhile, RG Ryu noticed the same figure and spurred his horse to follow as well.
Wei reached the edge of the city, hovering just above the ground. Before him stood RG Ryu, a formidable silhouette in the dim light.
"Who are you?" RG Ryu demanded, his tone unwavering.
"I have an unfinished business there. Don't stop me. I don't want you to get harmed," Wei said, his voice steady but laced with an undercurrent of resolve.
"And I don't want any trouble for anyone here. I can't let you go," RG Ryu said, his eyes reflecting a mix of caution and determination.
Wei stepped forward, a small smile playing on his lips as he met RG Ryu's gaze. "This is my last warning. Get out of my way. I won't say it again."
"Come and try," RG Ryu challenged, his tone sharp and clear.
Wei took a slow, deliberate step back, his hand tightening around the hilt of his fan. RG Ryu's bow flashed in the moonlight. "This is my last warning. SURRENDER," RG Ryu commanded.
"I won't," Wei replied, his voice hardening.
"Then I have to do it my way," RG Ryu said, losing an arrow with deadly precision. Wei's movements were swift; he dodged the projectile effortlessly. RG Ryu fired again and again, but each arrow missed its mark as Wei danced just out of reach. Finally, RG Ryu sheathed his bow, drawing his sword instead. He lunged forward, but Wei sidestepped, a sharp kick following that sent RG Ryu staggering.
"Stay out of my way! Last warning!" Wei barked, his tone hard yet tinged with a hint of frustration.
"Never!" RG Ryu roared, his patience wearing thin. RG Ryu got back up, his resolve unshaken. He threw his sword at Wei, who dodged with ease, but before Wei could react, RG Ryu lunged forward, attempting to kick him. Wei grabbed RG Ryu's leg and twisted, a sharp, swift punch landing squarely on RG Ryu's jaw. RG Ryu fell to the ground with a grunt, but Wei didn't linger; he quickly spread his wings and took flight, disappearing into the night with his Sevpon trailing behind him.
Ryu arrived shortly afterward, his mask obscuring his features. As he approached RG Ryu, the older warrior tensed, assuming that his adversary was the same as before. Before Ryu could react, RG Ryu's foot shot out, striking him swiftly. Ryu managed to dodge, swiftly retrieving his Nunchaku. A tense exchange ensued, Ryu evading RG Ryu's powerful strikes while delivering his own. During the fight, Ryu's Nunchaku slipped from his grasp, clattering to the ground. Instantly, a cold light emanated, ice spikes appearing all around.
Understanding that these were the same Sevpon's abilities RG Ryu had just witnessed, he paused for a fraction of a second before spinning on his heel. He executed a quick movement and snatched up Ryu's Nunchaku, holding them tightly. In a flash, RG Ryu mounted his horse and raced away, leaving Ryu behind.
After the intense clash, Ryu returned to his room, the echoes of the fight still sharp in his ears. He collapsed onto his bed, his mind racing with the images of the battle. Meanwhile, RG Ryu rode back to his castle, the night air slicing around him as he considered what had just transpired.
After the intense fight, Ryu returned to his room, his body tired but his mind racing with thoughts of the battle. He lay on his bed, attempting to get some rest, though sleep didn't come easily. Meanwhile, RG Ryu arrived back at his castle. As he dismounted, Jin was waiting for him in the entrance hall.
"Where were you?" Jin asked, his curiosity piqued by RG Ryu's late return.
"To capture the smuggler of Sevpon," RG Ryu replied, his voice calm but his expression serious. "I think he was taking this Nunchaku Sevpon to his master—or should I say, the master of those monsters."
Jin raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "So, did you kill him?"
"No," RG Ryu said firmly, shaking his head. "I just tricked him into handing over the Sevpon."
"So, he's alive," Jin said, the corners of his mouth curling into a smirk.
"Yeah," RG Ryu replied, nodding. "But the good news is, we have one Sevpon now."
"Alright then, I'm going to sleep," Jin said, ready to retire for the night.
"Listen," RG Ryu added, "Tomorrow I'll show you a test, okay?"
The next morning, both RG Ryu and Jin traveled to a remote location outside the city, where they prepared for the test. Meanwhile, in the heart of the city, Guard Tony (G Tony, RG Ryu's brother) was stationed, his sharp eyes scanning the bustling streets. Tony and Kai were also in the city market, browsing quietly when Kai noticed something unsettling.
"Hey Tony, guards are here," Kai whispered, his eyes narrowing at the approaching figures. "Do you have a mask?"
Tony hesitated for a moment, then gave a dismissive shrug. "Relax, our clones aren't in this world."
Kai looked a little more concerned. "Oh no, there's your clone too in this world, and he's a Guard."
"Why would my clone be a normal guard?" Tony asked, confused. "He should be a Royal Guard or a Prince."
"They're coming this way," Kai warned, glancing over at the approaching guards. "Do you have a mask?"
Tony's face went pale. "No. What do I do now?"
Kai quickly formulated a plan. "Go quietly to the hotel. I'll hold them off."
Tony nodded, turning to slip away discreetly. As Tony made his way toward the hotel, Kai stepped forward to intercept the guards.
"Hey," Kai called out, flashing a grin. "I'm Jin's friend, your new Royal Guard."
"Hi, nice to meet you," one of the guards greeted him, offering a stiff salute.
Kai smiled, keeping his tone casual. "Where is he now? I thought he would be with you."
"He's with our Royal Guard," the first guard replied.
"Okay," Kai said, nodding. "I'll meet him in the castle then. You guys continue your duty." With that, he turned and left, walking away with purpose, though inside he felt the tension rise.
Once Tony quietly made his way to his room, he waited until Kai arrived. "So, did you talk to my clone?" Tony asked, his voice filled with curiosity.
Kai shook his head. "No, he wasn't even talking or looking at me. But next time, wear the mask," he said firmly, trying to keep the situation under control.
"Okay, I'm going to the market with the mask. I want to buy something," Tony said, already preparing to leave.
Meanwhile, RG Ryu led Jin to an obstacle course set up in a secluded area.
"This looks easy. You were saying it's too hard?" Jin remarked, eyeing the course with a hint of amusement.
RG Ryu smirked, his tone serious. "Try to complete it in one try. If you fail, you start from the beginning. Do you agree?"
Jin raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "And if I complete it on the first try?"
"Then the Nunchaku Sevpon is yours," RG Ryu replied, his gaze unwavering.
Jin smiled confidently. "Get ready to handle that Sevpon to me."
Jin immediately started the course, but after a series of missteps and near-misses, he failed on the first try.
RG Ryu stood, watching closely. "So, did you pass it?"
Jin gritted his teeth. "I will complete it, even if it takes my whole life." Determined, he tried again. And again. And again. After five failed attempts, Jin finally managed to finish on his sixth try.
"WOOO HOOO!" Jin shouted, pumping his fists in the air in triumph.
"Congratulations," RG Ryu said, his tone filled with a sense of respect.
Jin wiped the sweat from his brow, still grinning. "I don't think anyone could do this on the first try. Did you complete it on your first try?"
"No," RG Ryu answered. "Mine was also six tries. The only one who could complete it on the first try was our Prince."
Jin's eyes widened. "In one try?"
"Yes," RG Ryu nodded. "But he was killed in a war. He also had powers like magic and the ability to open portals through space and time."
Jin's mind raced. "So, the portal that opened in my world was your Prince's portal?"
"I guess," RG Ryu replied, a hint of regret in his voice.
"But why would your Prince send monsters to our world?" Jin asked, trying to piece everything together.
"It wasn't our Prince," RG Ryu answered, his voice low. "It would have been his killer. Whoever kills him gains his powers, including the power of absorption."
Jin was about to ask more when a voice interrupted them.
"Guess who?" G Tony suddenly appeared, hands covering RG Ryu's eyes.
"Tony," RG Ryu said without missing a beat, recognizing his brother's playful gesture.
G Tony removed his hands and grinned. "How do you know?"
"Because you're the only one who would do this to me," RG Ryu replied, giving his brother a knowing look.
Jin, still confused, looked between the two. "Who is he?"
RG Ryu gestured to G Tony. "He's my brother. He went off for training to become a Knight."
"And who is he?" G Tony asked, pointing at Jin.
"He's our Princess's Royal Guard," RG Ryu explained.
"Did you defeat him?" G Tony asked, eyes gleaming with curiosity.
Jin answered, his tone nonchalant. "Yes, easily."
"NO!" RG Ryu interjected with a grin. "We both got timed out."
G Tony let out a laugh. "So, Ryu lost."
"No, I didn't lose," RG Ryu said with mock indignation. "And is your training over?"
G Tony shook his head. "No, I'm just on vacation."
"Okay, then," RG Ryu said, his voice softening. "Go to the market and enjoy the vacation."
"Okay, goodbye!" G Tony called out, waving as he headed for the door.
"Goodbye," both RG Ryu and Jin responded in unison.