The Investigation Unfolds
After days of relentless investigation, Ryusei Kuriyami and his uncle, Leon Kuriyami, finally pieced together the truth behind the Black Dragon's corruption. Their findings led them to an exiled Makai Alchemist, one who had turned to the dark arts, harnessing forbidden knowledge to create abominations. However, what they did not expect was the presence of a fallen Makai Knight, a warrior who had succumbed to the negative energy of Horrors, corrupting his very armor and soul.
The alchemist, Varian Mallos, had once been a respected member of the Makai Order. His mastery over alchemy and enchantments was unparalleled. However, in his quest for greater power, he had turned to forbidden rituals, seeking the raw strength of Horrors. His experiments with Horror Cores had culminated in the corruption of the Black Dragon, but the true horror was his creation of a Makai Knight twisted by darkness.
The knight, Darius Vellion, had once been a revered protector of the Order. However, the insidious whisper of corrupt power had broken his resolve. His once proud onyx-colored armor, accented with deep violet engravings, was now shrouded in black, pulsating with sinister energy, its edges jagged and wicked. His greatsword, once a symbol of justice, was now a tool of chaos, imbued with cursed energy.
The Confrontation
Ryusei and Leon tracked them to an abandoned fortress deep in the mountains, where dark magic thrived. As they entered, torches flickered with unnatural blue flames, casting eerie shadows. The air was thick with malicious energy, a sign of rituals long forbidden.
"You should have never come here," Varian sneered, stepping from the shadows, his long cloak trailing behind him. "You still cling to the old ways, the outdated rules of the Order."
Leon's grip on his greatsword tightened. His armor, a crimson set accented with blue and gold, radiated power but held no corruption. "You betrayed the Order and everything we stand for. We are here to put an end to your madness."
Darius chuckled darkly, stepping beside Varian. "Madness? No, this is evolution. We have embraced the future, while you cling to rusted ideals."
With that, the battle erupted.
The Battle of Makai Knights
Darius lunged at Leon with unnatural speed, his corrupted armor enhancing his strength beyond human limits. Their swords clashed, sending shockwaves through the fortress walls. Sparks flew as light met darkness, the sheer force of their strikes cracking the stone beneath them.
Meanwhile, Varian unleashed a barrage of enchanted daggers, each one humming with lethal magic. Ryusei barely dodged, countering with a burst of green fire, setting the room ablaze in magical flames. The alchemist retaliated with a pulse of black energy, forcing Ryusei back.
"You're strong," Ryusei admitted, rolling to his feet. "But I've fought worse."
He channeled his red lightning, coating his blade with raw power before dashing forward, his strikes quick and precise. Varian conjured barriers, but Ryusei's enhanced speed and relentless assault forced him onto the defensive.
Across the hall, Leon and Darius continued their duel of legends. Leon struck with controlled power, each swing of his red greatsword aiming for precise, devastating blows. Darius countered with vicious brutality, his shadow-infused armor absorbing Leon's attacks while his dark energy drained the light from the air itself.
The Final Strikes
Varian, realizing he was losing, attempted to consume a raw Horror Core, desperate for more power. But before he could, Ryusei threw his wakizashi, the enchanted blade piercing through Varian's chest, halting the ritual.
Darius, seeing his ally fall, roared in fury and unleashed his full power, forcing Leon back. Ryusei quickly summoned his Garo Armor, golden light radiating from his form. He dashed in, joining his uncle in the final confrontation.
With synchronized precision, uncle and nephew struck together. Leon's blade clashed with Darius', locking him in place just as Ryusei drove his golden broad sword into the fallen knight's core. A violent explosion of energy erupted, the darkness consuming itself in a vortex of light.
Darius let out a final, guttural scream before his corrupted armor shattered, leaving his lifeless body behind, the once-proud Makai Knight now at rest. Ryusei and Leon stood over him in silence, acknowledging the tragedy of a fallen warrior lost to darkness. They retrieved his sword, a once-proud weapon now tainted by his descent, and gathered the stolen Makai Order artifacts that Varian had hoarded. These would be returned to the Order, ensuring that no more corruption could spread from this betrayal.
Before leaving, they prepared a burial for Darius, offering a silent prayer for his soul. Despite his crimes, he had once been a noble warrior, and in death, he deserved dignity.
A New Acquaintance
A week later, during a quest to clear out a bandit-infested trade route, Ryusei encountered Mirajane Strauss. Unlike most nobles, Mirajane was in the field herself, wielding her Take-Over Magic with devastating efficiency.
The encounter was sudden. Ryusei had just dispatched a group of bandits when he saw her battling alone, her transformed demonic form crushing enemies with ease.
"You fight well for a noble," Ryusei commented as he approached.
Mirajane, still in her demonic form, turned to face him. Her silver-white hair glowed in the fading sunlight, and her piercing blue eyes analyzed him. Then, with a smirk, she shifted back to her human form. "And you don't look like your typical adventurer."
Ryusei noticed her relaxed stance but kept his guard up. "Not many nobles take the risk of fighting outside their estates."
She chuckled. "I could say the same for you. Most adventurers wouldn't dare approach someone like me so casually."
A moment of silence passed before Mirajane extended a hand. "Mirajane Strauss, of House Strauss."
Ryusei shook her hand. "Ryusei Kuriyami."
From that meeting, an unexpected friendship formed. They often crossed paths during quests, sometimes working together against larger threats. Their banter was lighthearted but carried mutual respect—a rare connection for Ryusei in a world where trust was scarce.
Advancements and New Beginnings
With his increasing status, Ryusei utilized the materials from the Black Dragon to forge new gear:
Enhanced armor lined with dragon scales, giving him increased defense and resistance to magic.
Twin daggers crafted from the dragon's fangs, infused with lightning for lethal precision.
The dragon's heart, repurposed into an energy core, which he embedded into his new battle gauntlets, allowing him to channel raw energy attacks.
With his newfound wealth, Ryusei also purchased a grand estate on the outskirts of the city. The estate was vast, surrounded by lush greenery and fortified walls. The main house was an elegant yet sturdy mansion, built with fine stone and dark wood, featuring high vaulted ceilings and large windows that overlooked the landscape. A sprawling courtyard with a koi pond added a sense of tranquility, while the backyard housed a luxurious pool lined with dragon-themed carvings, enchanted to remain at the perfect temperature year-round. It featured:
A large personal study, filled with books on combat, history, and forbidden knowledge.
A hidden archive, where he stored Makai Order records and classified information.
A vast training ground, built for sparring and magical experimentation.
A stable, where he housed a high-quality warhorse. The stable was built with reinforced wood and enchanted to ensure the horses were always comfortable, well-fed, and protected from external dangers.
As Ryusei stood on the balcony of his new home, gazing upon the horizon, he took a deep breath of the fresh evening air before turning toward his study. Reaching for a communication orb, he infused it with his red lightning, sending a direct message to his uncle.
"Leon, I want you to move in with me. The estate is too large for just one man, and we need a proper base for future threats."
A few moments passed before the orb flickered with a response, Leon's deep voice carrying through. "Hmph. You've built yourself quite a place, haven't you? Fine, I'll come. Someone needs to make sure you're not getting too comfortable."
Ryusei smirked. "I'll be expecting you soon." The darkness would return, but so long as he drew breath, he would stand against it.
The Golden Knight would never waver.