Kenzo: Never Give Up
Chapter: 10
Aetheria Kingdom – The Arrival of the Monsters
The sky over Aetheria darkened, thick storm clouds swirling above as an eerie presence engulfed the land. Two warriors stood firm—Kiyomi on one side, Ayame on the other—each facing an unfathomable monstrosity.
The air trembled as one of the creatures let out a deafening roar.
"Huaa! Huaa!"
Ayame narrowed her sapphire-blue eyes. This wasn't an ordinary monster.
Before her loomed a nightmarish being—fifty meters tall, an eldritch horror with six grotesquely long arms, a third eye glowing with abyssal energy, and skeletal wings that spread wide like shadows over the land. Its black chitinous body pulsed with crimson veins, radiating an aura of malevolence.
She exhaled and steadied her stance.
"Okay, then," she said, eyes burning with resolve. "I will defeat you."
But suddenly—
Ruined Battlefield – The Reality-Breaking Terror
The scenery shifted in an instant. Ayame now stood upon a battlefield submerged in water, floating debris scattered across the surface. The sky churned with dark energy, swirling like an impending storm. Space itself cracked and distorted as the monster before her—Xal'Zorr—twisted reality with his mere presence.
The beast let out a bone-rattling screech, and in response, massive tidal waves rose unnaturally high, threatening to consume everything. His razor-sharp claws slashed the air, sending devastating shockwaves through the ocean.
Ayame's hands moved instinctively, weaving intricate water sigils as she countered.
"Aqua Shield!"
A massive, reinforced barrier of water formed before her, absorbing the attack. But Xal'Zorr's Reality Rend shattered it instantly, forcing Ayame to leap into the air. She barely managed to freeze the water beneath her feet, stabilizing herself midair.
"Hydro Lance!"
A spear of high-pressure water shot toward Xal'Zorr's glowing third eye. The attack struck true, making the beast screech in agony. However, before she could press the advantage, his Unholy Regeneration kicked in, restoring the wound in seconds.
Her mind raced. Brute force won't work.
"Abyssal Tides!"
The ocean around her surged violently. Razor-sharp currents wrapped around Xal'Zorr's limbs, restricting his movements, forcing him to struggle.
But the monster retaliated.
His third eye gleamed ominously—"Doombringer's Gaze!"
For a split second, Ayame felt her body seize, paralyzed by the monstrous force.
But she had anticipated this.
With a sharp inhale, she murmured her counterspell:
"Mirror Wave!"
Water coiled around her, forming a reflective barrier that redirected the gaze back at Xal'Zorr, momentarily stunning him.
Her breathing was heavy. Her strength was waning. She stumbled slightly, exhausted from the relentless battle.
But then—
Flashback – The Lessons of the Ocean God
A memory surfaced.
A younger Ayame, only five years old, stood beside Kenzo.
"Princess Ayame!" Kenzo called, grinning.
Ayame flushed in annoyance. "Don't call me that! Just Ayame!"
"Okay, Ayame Prin—"
"I said NOT!"
They both burst into laughter.
Nearby, Zoryan, the enigmatic king, watched them with a mysterious expression.
"Why are you laughing, kids?"
"Oh, grandpa!" Kenzo greeted cheerfully.
Ayame simply smiled. "Nothing, grandpa."
Then, her father's voice echoed through the halls.
"Ayame! Come. It's time to learn magic."
She turned to Kenzo. "I'll go now."
"Okay," he replied with a wave.
In the training hall, Ayame joined her fellow students—Rioz, Ardyn, and Ayaka—while Ayano practiced ice magic separately.
Azyion, her father and mentor, stood before them.
"Today, I will teach you a magic that will shape your future. Listen carefully."
His voice carried the weight of divine power.
Ocean God's Wrath – The Forbidden Power
Azyion's words rang in Ayame's mind.
"Ocean God's Wrath is a divine technique, a gift from the primordial Ocean God. It summons an immense water dragon imbued with both destruction and purification. But remember—this power demands a price."
Present – Awakening the Divine Dragon
Ayame took a deep breath. She had no choice.
She pressed her hands together, calling upon the depths of her Ether. The entire battlefield trembled. The ocean churned violently, answering her call.
Her voice resonated through the storm:
"O mighty Ocean God, ruler of tides and storms, I call upon your divine fury! Let the power of the seas rise to smite those who threaten the balance of this world! Manifest your wrath in the form of the sacred dragon and let your judgment cleanse all evil!"
A pulse of divine energy erupted from her body.
The ocean surged upward, forming the shape of a colossal dragon. Its azure scales shimmered with celestial energy. Lightning crackled across its watery form. Its piercing golden eyes locked onto Ayame.
"Oh, Mizushima," the dragon rumbled, its voice shaking the heavens. "You are the third to summon me. The first lady as well… I am Ryūjin, the Water Dragon. I am always with you, Lady Mizushima. May I know your name?"
Ayame steadied herself. "It's Ayame Mizushima."
"Why have you summoned me?"
She pointed behind him. "Look."
The dragon turned, its gaze falling upon Xal'Zorr.
"Ah… a creature of the abyss. Do you require my aid?"
Ayame nodded. "No doubt."
Ryūjin's eyes flashed with power.
"Then let the tide consume him."
Tidal Devastation – The Final Blow
The battlefield roared as Ryūjin unleashed his fury.
Initial Impact: A divine tsunami crashed into Xal'Zorr, shattering his defenses.
Purification: The holy water burned through his dark essence, halting his regeneration.
Crushing Wave: The sheer force of the ocean held him in place, his abyssal form deteriorating.
Final Purge: A divine surge of energy erased him from existence.
Xal'Zorr let out one last, agonized roar before disintegrating.
It was over.
Aftermath – The Price of Power
Ryūjin turned to Ayame. "Your Ether is not strong enough to hold me for long. I will take my leave."
Ayame nodded weakly. "Thank you."
"In return, I pass the knowledge of water magic to you."
He pressed a claw to her forehead, and a surge of ancient knowledge flooded her mind.
Then, he vanished.
The battlefield fell silent.
Ayame, her body drained of all strength, swayed unsteadily. Sweat dripped from her forehead. Her vision blurred.
Her thoughts hazed. After using such immense power, I…
Her legs gave out.
She collapsed to her knees, gasping for breath.
A New Battle Begins
The camera angle shifted.
Kiyomi Takane now stood in the ruined battlefield, facing a new, looming threat.
And across from her, another Xal'Zorr stood, ready to fight.
To be continued…