The Aftermath
The battlefield was eerily quiet. Smoke drifted through the shattered ruins, and the scent of blood still lingered in the air. Ryuji stood over the place where Kenshiro had vanished, his chest rising and falling with deep, controlled breaths. His fingers twitched, still feeling the lingering power that had surged through him.
Akari sat on the ground, exhausted, her katana resting beside her. She was watching him—watching the way his body trembled, not from weakness, but from something else.
Something she wasn't sure she wanted to understand.
"He's gone," she finally said, her voice hoarse.
Ryuji nodded, still staring at the empty space before him. "For now."
A sharp wind cut through the ruins, making the air feel colder. The fight was over, but something inside Ryuji told him that this was only the beginning.
He had made his choice.
He had rejected Kenshiro's offer.
But that choice had come with consequences.
The Weight of Power
Akari rose to her feet, her legs shaky but steady. "Ryuji… what happened to you?"
He hesitated. His mind flashed back to the battle—to the moment he almost lost himself.
"I don't know."
Akari frowned. "That power... it wasn't normal. It wasn't just you fighting back, was it?"
Ryuji clenched his fists. "No. It was something else. Something inside me."
Akari took a step closer, searching his face. "And you controlled it?"
Ryuji exhaled slowly. "Barely."
She bit her lip, concern flashing in her eyes. "What if it happens again?"
Ryuji finally looked at her, his expression unreadable. "Then I'll make sure it doesn't consume me."
Akari held his gaze for a long moment, then sighed. "You're an idiot."
A small, tired smile crossed Ryuji's face. "Yeah."
She smacked his arm lightly. "But you're my idiot."
His smile faltered for a second, something unreadable flashing in his eyes.
But before he could say anything—
A rustle came from the ruins.
Both of them tensed, hands instinctively reaching for their weapons.
And then—
A figure emerged.
The Stranger in the Shadows
A man stepped forward, his dark cloak billowing behind him. His face was partially hidden by the shadows, but his piercing golden eyes glowed in the dim light.
Ryuji immediately positioned himself in front of Akari. "Who are you?"
The man smirked. "Relax, boy. If I wanted you dead, I wouldn't be standing here talking."
Akari's grip tightened around her katana. "That doesn't make us trust you."
The man chuckled. "Fair enough. The name's Daigo."
Ryuji narrowed his eyes. "And why are you here, Daigo?"
Daigo crossed his arms, his gaze scanning the destroyed battlefield. "I came to see if the rumors were true."
Ryuji stiffened. "Rumors?"
Daigo's golden eyes flickered. "That someone awakened the Chains of Fate."
Silence.
Akari glanced at Ryuji. "Chains of Fate…?"
Daigo smirked. "So you don't even know what you are yet?"
Ryuji's jaw clenched. "I know enough."
Daigo laughed, low and amused. "No. You don't. But you will."
Ryuji's patience was wearing thin. "If you have something to say, say it."
Daigo's smirk faded slightly. "Fine. I'll be blunt. The power inside you? It's the same power that once shattered empires, destroyed kings, and brought gods to their knees."
Ryuji felt a chill run down his spine.
Daigo took a step forward. "And right now, every major force in this world is looking for you."
Akari's breath hitched. "Why?"
Daigo's expression darkened. "Because they're afraid of what you'll become."
The Path Forward
Ryuji's mind raced. Kenshiro had tried to recruit him, to turn him into something more. But now, Daigo was saying there were others—stronger forces that wanted him gone.
"Who's looking for me?" Ryuji demanded.
Daigo exhaled. "The Seven Elders of the Divine Order. The Tyrant Lords of the Western Wastes. The Reapers of the Blood Moon." He met Ryuji's eyes. "And those are just the ones who haven't found you yet."
Akari's grip on her sword tightened. "You're saying Ryuji is in danger?"
Daigo shook his head. "I'm saying he already was. The second his power awakened, he stopped being just some warrior. He became a threat."
Ryuji stayed silent, his thoughts spinning.
He had spent his whole life trying to be strong enough to protect those he loved. Now, he was strong—and the entire world wanted him dead for it.
Daigo studied his expression. "So, what are you going to do, kid?"
Ryuji took a slow breath. His heartbeat was steady. His choice was clear.
"I fight."
Akari turned to him, concern in her eyes. "Ryuji…"
He looked at her, something fierce burning behind his gaze. "I'm done running."
Daigo grinned. "Good. Because you won't have the chance to."
Ryuji narrowed his eyes. "What do you mean?"
Daigo turned, his golden eyes glinting. "Because they've already found you."
BOOM!
The ruins exploded.
Ryuji barely had time to react as shadows erupted from the ground, monstrous figures lunging toward them.
Akari unsheathed her katana, standing beside him. "Guess we don't get time to rest."
Ryuji smirked. "Wouldn't have it any other way."
As the enemies surrounded them, Ryuji's grip on his weapon tightened. The storm inside him stirred once more.
No more hesitation. No more doubts.
This was the path he had chosen.
And he would fight until the very end.
🔥 To Be Continued in Chapter 17!