"If the world is pitch black, I will be the thread of light. Because that thread of light is enough to shine through the dark."

Chapter 18: The Thread of Light

Now playing: Buddyfight Champions OP 1 - "Champions" by Hoho

https/youtu.be/VFz-WORkKFQ

The shock previously, it could even kill a group of elephants. Yet he is still standing there as if nothing happened...?!

Masumi couldn't believe what he saw. Nevertheless, he activated his cannons with a click on his screen. Several lasers blasted on a boy. He lifted his sparkling blade in cyan and obstructed it without a thought. The wounded dragon behind him screamed his name with tears splashing in a blink.

"Morihito...?!"

"Xander, stay back! I will take care of him!"

Masumi frowned and bit his jaw. He slammed on his device. Bam! The screen in a few cracks said, "Auto-target function enabled. Target locked." All the cannons were aimed at Morihito.

"That was quite out of expectation. But this will take care of you." Masumi said annoyingly, while the light in the muzzle glowed dazzlingly and gradually. Morihito bounced off in an instant and stayed away from Xander, leaving a light blue lightning trail on the ground.

"There is nowhere to run!" He jeered and said with open hands, but it sounded like shouting.

The light beam accumulated and formed a tremendous light pillar ten metres long. The blow left a track of melting on the ground and split the walls around the stage in half, penetrating a room. After the smoke began to disperse, a quivering voice behind the collapsing walls murmured:

"Please...please don't kill me..."

Masumi's nostrils flared with bared teeth. "I should have killed you much earlier..."

The man's body shook with fear, he covered his mouth and was afraid to make another noise. In front of him, was a shorter teenage boy, his hair reflected in dim blue light.

"Are you alright?" He asked politely in a soft voice. That man behind him screamed and ran with his twisted legs, almost falling to the ground a few times after tripping on the unmoved bodies. The sign on the door saying "Observation Room" dropped into the flames. The water started splashing around from the ceiling.

Without another moment, the cannons sparkled unhurriedly. However, it stopped all of a sudden. Masumi looked dumbfounded.

"Warning, overheat. Entering cooldown progress." A cold mechanical sound said.

"It must be because I forgot to change the setting..." Masumi whispered. "Nevermind, the show can still be conducted in another way."

Excrucia vanished in the shadow. A familiar voice came into Morihito's ears. That voice shouted, screeched and cried in pain, with sweat falling along his face. He struggled to pull off its hand with his legs hanging in the air. The claws of Excrucia almost stabbed into his neck.

"Hmm, how about...let's change the rules. If you take one more damage..." He snickered. "And this will happen!"

That man in tears broke his throat. His legs trembled around in the air while his neck was grabbed and he was tied to the side of the platform. Abruptly, the string that handed his hands raised, as it thrust into the cleft of the wheel, moving closer to the rotating pinion.

"HUGH!! Please...!! PLEASE DON'T HURT ME!!"

Morihito felt his heart was stopped at that moment, his wide eyes kept non-shut, in a frozen sight. Later, he clenched his trembling hands, grabbed the grip and wielded his sword. He approached Masumi at a high speed after bouncing on the ground, until his terrifying smile stunned him, ceasing his breath.

"What's the matter? Didn't you like 'saving' people? Acting like a hero?" Masumi mocked.

What is he planning...? Morihito stabbed his sword on the ground and stared.

"Dr Kitagawa, please spare me!!!" The man cried as loud as he could.

"How dare you order me...?" Masumi gazed wrathily. He stepped on his floating chair and moved closer, putting his hand under him and grabbing the man's jaw fiercely. The tears and snivels streamed down his face. Masumi pulled back his hand rapidly.

"Whoops, that was close. Almost making my hands dirty." Masumi said frivolously. He turned his smirking face toward the enormous operating screens. "It seems your friends are doing pretty well."

"Did I just mention the condition of losing a life point? I haven't told you the consequence of losing the game, have I?"

He approached that man hanging over the wheels and whispered in his ears. "Do you know the answer?"

"I...I don't know..." The trembling voice almost could not be heard by any.

"You HEARD that? He said he doesn't know!" His volume rose even higher and stressed the last few words.

"I wonder if your friends could make the same scream..." He sneered. "How about those two in the cell?"

"That demon bastard is talking again..." Xander whispered in his weak voice.

"I will never let you lay a finger on them." Morihito said seriously, his frowned eyes fixed the glance on Masumi.

"Oh look, that scary face again." Masumi laughed, and it got softer slowly. "I hated them, really. Your expression disgusted me."

"It showed how you looked down on me." He gazed with hatred and smirked with his jaw on.

"Oh well, let us continue."

"You're going down." Morihito hid his bloodlust in his eyes.

I must end this fight as soon as possible before things get worse. Morihito said in his mind.

Please wait for me longer, everyone.

--

Meanwhile, the Aibo Academy students gathered under the protection of the magic barrier.

"What take the police so long to come..." A student sighed in worry.

"The signal was cut off, I think that's why." Another replied.

"At least we can be safe here..."

More students joined the conversation and argued. "Quit your dreams! It won't be long for those people to find us!"

"What...?! They can't see us right?" A scared student looked around shockingly.

"Fools! Even those bastards can't find us, we will starve to death!"

"And if the rescue team can't reach us. We'll all die too! All of us!!" Another yelled.

"That means we are doomed...!"

"Hey! Don't lose your hope yet! It is still possible for someone to save us! Don't say things that haven't happened, think of what you can do now!" A girl shouted at the crowd, everyone stared at her for a moment.

"Then what else can we do?" One of them asked.

"We need to come up with a plan. No one knows when the barrier will close, and we need to prepare for it."

"Then what's the plan?"

"That's the point, we need to think of one together!" She said confidently. Abruptly, a laugh could be heard from the crowd.

"That means you don't have a solid measure, and yet, you are ordering us to follow?"

"So it was all prattle...?"

"No, I mean, I need your help to do so! We can think of a better plan together!" The girl continued.

"I don't know...there is nothing I can come up with." One of them said.

"Me either..."

"I have already gotten tired of the bright and ironic sun, drying our thoughts in the fire!! There is no water..." The student spoke softly. After that, his entire body flopped on the floor with fatigue. The crowd stared back with shock.

Gasp–!!

"Oh no, oh no...no no no!" A student murmured in fear while biting his lips.

"Help! Someone fainted! Please help him!" Another shouted piercingly for aid.

"Call for teachers! QUICK!!" One of them hinted.

...

"It is Miss Takemoto!!"

"Look, Miss Takemoto is coming!"

The teacher kneeled and tested the pulse of the fainted student. "It is symptoms of overheating, please take him to the temporary first aid. Bring water."

"Understood, Miss Takemoto." The class monitor replied.

The crowd took a sigh of relief. "Thank god..."

"1, 2...3! Up!"

Some students supported the passed out student and brought him away. The remaining crowd followed to see if he is fine, leaving the girl alone.

"Why would no one even try to listen to what I am trying to say?!" She stomped on a patch of grass and shattered them into pieces after numerous stepping.

"Hmph! They don't believe it. A group of idiotic, mindless and nonsensical...only understand things that are in front of their eyes!"

"UghHhHHh!!!" She groaned and did a huge stomp. Then she kneeled, covered her body with arms and sat down near a tree. A leaf floated and landed on her hair. She tried to wipe it off but failed. Her hands hugged the legs, while she rested her head on them.

"Hello...? You good?" A male voice questioned. But the girl did not answer.

No, obviously...do I look fine to you? She thought.

Umm...weird. I feel like I heard this voice somewhere before.

Quite a long time ago.

I must be imagining things.

"Look, you got leaves on your hair! No wonder if you are still living in rainforests." He jeered.

"What?!" The girl rose her head and she couldn't believe the next capture in her eyes.

"Hey, gorilla!" The voice giggled and burst out a laugh.

"You're..." The girl stared at him with a stunning sight. "Obsessed, overweighted, heavy, round..." She slowed down and took another deep breath. "Fat Kenji?! How are you even here?" She shouted.

"This should be my question, gorilla. Also, I already lost 3 kilograms, unlike you!" Kenji said annoyingly.

"How many times I told you to call me 'Makoto'!" She roared.

Kenji smirked. "Then I will call you 'Monketo'."

"Ma-ko-to!!" She stressed the words and moaned in rage. "I didn't know you are in this academy too. Why didn't you tell me you and I are in the same school?"

"I thought you understand how to use social media! Oops, I forgot that there is no Internet connection in a forest." Kenji chuckled and acted like a monkey. "Wooga wooga wooga..."

"Stop it! Also stupid Kenji, I don't even know your new account!" Makoto said angrily and she grabbed Kenji's arms.

"Holy moly, the gorilla got angry!" Kenji mocked. Not soon after, Makoto grasped harder and made Kenji scream.

"WoAHHHH!! Okay, okay. I apologise, no violence, please (peace)!"

"Now you understand what 'pain' is, hmph." Makoto released her hands and Kenji crashed to the ground. "How about you talk about yourself these years? How's your best friend? Black hair and black eyes, the very handsome one?" She asked curiously.

"What? How is he even called 'handsome'? I am much better than him!" Kenji shouted. "Well, he's doing fine." His voice got softer.

"Great! I haven't heard from him in a while. Anyways, fat Kenji..."

"This is probably the last time I see you." She said. "Let's have a long talk, shall we?" And she smiled softly.

"Why?" Kenji questioned. "Because you're going back to the jungle?" He laughed.

"No, I mean...we are running out of resources. We won't able to hold back if anything happens." Her voice went deeper.

Kenji ceased his smile for a while.

"But it is good to have a friend stay near you if that happens, right?"

"I don't understand words from the jungle, speak humanly." Kenji tried to mock her. But the girl didn't smile, and Kenji knew it.

"You know what, Kenji? The reason why I transferred away from my school."

"How do I even know? You haven't told me." Kenji said with a bitter laugh.

"It wasn't so happy after all." She put on a wry smile.

"Their eyes, look and expression. The laughter and giggling. I got tired of them. But they never got tired of my face and judging how I look."

"They thought it wasn't enough, as if it didn't satisfy their desire. So they asked for more, more and more, and it got worse every time."

"It seems like the whole world knows who I am. While there was no place to hide."

"The next morning I woke up and stared at the mirror. I was laughing, and I tried to laugh as loud as I could."

She picked up the scissor with her trembling hands and approached her long hair, using the dripping water from the faucet to wash her face. She pointed the scissor at her neck. However, it was dropped on the floor and she took a long sigh. Suddenly, someone kicked and knocked on the door. It was forcefully opened.

"My mum screamed at me, with a terrifying look. She asked why I cut my hair, and she got very irritated."

"Did she beat you?" Kenji asked in a worry.

"Yes, she did."

"Harsh?" He continued.

"Yeah." She sighed. "But I got a chance to a new school, and I met you, which was the best part!" She smiled genuinely.

Kenji stared at her, he didn't know how to react to her case, so he stayed hushed.

"Now, let me hear something about you, how have you been these two years?" Makoto questioned.

"So-so. Nothing much special."

"I guess you didn't go so well either."

"When did I say that? I said it was okay but I didn't mean it was bad!" Kenji exclaimed.

"So you were going pretty well actually, you liar." Her eyebrows scrunched together but relieved when asking Kenji. "Do you have any friends at school?"

"They are a bunch of idiots." Kenji replied.

"Not surprised that you are one of them." Makoto grinned.

Kenji's nostrils fanned and frowned. "Do I look like one to you?"

"Because you are." She chortled. "And that's the thing I like the most from you. I am glad you found where you belong."

"Meh. Don't say that I am your only friend." Kenji bit his lips.

Abruptly, a voice interrupted their conversation.

"Kenji, they're coming. Although this is quicker than we expected, I hope you are ready."

"Barnat?" Kenji said in shock.

"Who is 'Barnat'?" Makoto asked dumbfoundedly.

"She is my buddy." Kenji explained.

"I never knew you are also a buddyfighter."

"Barnat, please explain the situation."

"Are you talking to the air? There is no one nearby." The girl asked.

"Because only me and Kenji can hear it." A deep voice whispered in their ears. A whiff curved the grass and focused in front of them. Kenji thought Barnat wanted to appear in an enormous form in front of Makoto, so he rose his head.

Unexpectedly, Barnat appeared in a form of...

"Aww!! Who is this teddy?" Makoto shouted astonishingly and couldn't wait to hug her. "It is so adorable!! Where do you get it from?"

She grabbed Barnat and caressed her fulgently.

"Uh, Kenji...please save me..." Barnat murmured in a red face.

"Hey, don't hold her like that!" Kenji said annoyingly and Makoto dropped her on the grass.

"Wait, is she your..." She was dumbstruck.

Kenji nodded. "Yes, she is."

"I'm...very sorry!" Makoto apologised sincerely.

Barnat coughed and calmed her breathing. "The most dangerous thing is lacking awareness of danger..."

Kenji asked. "Barnat, the thing you said earlier..."

In a flash, they heard a loud screaming behind. It unnerved their skins. Kenji turned at his back and Makoto followed.

"What the...?!" Kenji stared at the outside of the barrier and it stole his breath.

An army of figures seemed to surround the barrier. Kenji thought he was mistaken and rubbed his eyes, but their numbers increased, crowded the top of the cliff.

"Why are there so many?!" Kenji freaked out.

"How do they know we are here?!" Makoto said with wide eyes.

"The cracks. They appeared on the barrier half an hour ago. At first, there were only a few. And when we let our guard down, their corps had their eyes on us and called for assistance." Barnat explained. "It seems they brought more troops this time. They won't go easy on us."

Makoto stared at the approaching troops speechlessly.

"Why are you standing there, hurry!! It won't be long for those bastards to arrive!!" Kenji shouted. Makoto was still in shock, but she was aware of things happening around her.

"But where do we go?! There is only sea below us!!" She shouted.

"You two shall go down the slope to the beach coast. Wait for troops and follow the shores that take back to where the invasion started."

"What?!" Kenji said with a dumbfounded face.

"She means that we need to get down to the shores and return to the hostels." Makoto explained.

"But isn't the place already being occupied? If we return there, we will..."

"Or do you have any other solutions?!" Makoto shouted and Kenji kept his mouth closed.

"I will stay here and help. And we meet at that 'hostel' place you mentioned." Barnat suggested.

"'Stay and help'? Are you asking me to turn away and run again?"

"I can face them. They are merely humans."

"You said they aren't normal, they are hunters who could even take down any beast like you!" Kenji roared back at her. "And you are telling me you are staying here."

"But I did not say I could not handle them." Barnat explained.

Meanwhile, the barrier showed more cracks on the side and the screaming from the student was non-stop. Once again, the teachers and students gathered and were finding a way to escape from the chaos.

"Miss Kuchinawa!! We have to go now!!" Another teacher shouted.

Kai and the others still haven't returned, are they fine?

Will they be captured?

"Miss Kuchinawa, please follow us!" The teachers shouted again.

"But how about students who went out?" Miss Terumi cried.

"We are trying to save as many students as we can, and this is what we do." One of them said calmly.

But because of the situation, the priority of a larger group of students is more important?

We have to save as much as we can, but with our limits...

So there is nothing much we can do, right?

Kai, Kiyoshi, Morihito and Krieger. I wish at the bottom of my heart, that you all can return to us safely.

"They never quit chasing, do they...?!" The teachers gazed at the invaders and ran with the students.

Asmodai sighed while treating the overheated student in a nurse dress. "Looks like we got more visitors...unfriendly visitors."

Asmodai summoned a hurricane on himself and did a finger slap. His nurse shirt transformed into o yellow hoodie with sparkling stars. He then put on black sunglasses.

"Tetsuya. I'll be right back."

"Don't get too wild, okay?" Tetsuya worried.

"A performance can't be fun if it is not wild," Asmodai smirked.

At the same time, Barnat tried her best to tell Kenji to leave. While Kenji knew he must make a choice there.

"We don't have much time left, Kenji. Hurry up and leave!"

"I won't forgive you if you can't make it on time! Ever! You heard that?!" Kenji shouted at Barnat. She nodded and dashed at the cracking barrier as well as the troops.

--

Meanwhile, at the police department. Some of the officers were having a tea time break.

Ha~

A man poured a cup of coffee into his mouth, the satisfaction on his face can be seen.

"Man, this brand is my favourite."

"Same, the commissioner always bought the best quality." Another replied.

"As a reward to employees, huh? He has a kind heart."

"Well. I thought he is the overworked type. He always works until everyone is out of the department."

"Hah! I heard that from the janitor too!" A third member joined the talk with a cup of drink.

"He got a day off today. Even the most hard-working person needs to take a break."

"That's unusual. He normally does not have a day off on weekdays."

"Umm...maybe he needs to do something else?"

"Could be."

"Guys, have you heard about the exhibition incident earlier?" One said excitedly.

"The incident when a criminal attacked people in the exhibition? That's a hot topic all around now. Let's say, this news was discussed every single meal I have this week?"

They burst out a laugh.

"Commissioner being chatted all over the town again."

"Well, that's inescapable for him. What does the news on that day write about? 'A Heroic Officer Saved The Day'?"

"I guess if you continue this, my coffee will be cooled down."

"Geez. Man, you are so good at this one!"

They couldn't quit chuckling until they heard someone open the gate and rush past the "employee break room".

"Is someone outside?"

"Hm...at such an hour?"

So they looked out of the glass walls.

Pffff-

One of them spilt coffee out of their mouth.

"Was he wandering nearby? You said he was off!"

"I am sure that he was on a day off..." He coughed and cleaned out the mess on his shirt.

"He didn't hear what we said?"

"I suppose. What is the rush about? Did something urgent happen, and he has to quit his holiday immediately?"

Those three walked out of the break room.

"Definitely it was something..."

Commissioner Tasuku always stays calm, even if a sudden attack happens. He can lead the team and make rightful decisions.

However, this time I feel like...

He's in extreme panic and a terrified state.

They stepped near Tasuku to get an answer. At the same time, Tasuku was staring at the screen with his face dark.

"What was the time of today's investigation team on the designated island?"

"It should be about noon, sir." A lady officer replied.

In the past few weeks, we received several reports from the locals on Golden Island witnessing the activity of "illegal monsters" (the monsters who refused to cooperate and make peace with the race of humans). And suddenly, this week, there is none.

The first research team began the investigation about two weeks ago, a bear type wild monster was seen in the forest, but in an injured state. No further illegal monsters were found at that time. We even called for professional researchers to observe the activity and explain the sudden disappearance of the illegal monsters, and they had no clues. Therefore, the island was clarified as a "safe" area.

Today we sent out a research and swat team to investigate the abnormalities, including arresting all suspects and cleaning out the illegal monsters. For now, they should be returning, but we haven't received a message of mission completion.

This is not the only strange thing. It was said that grade 8 students of Aibo Academy will be there for a vacation. But by checking the records, there were no obvious warnings given by authorities to the school or travelling agents except "do not approach the forest".

Tasuku took a trembling sigh.

Since the exhibition incident, I have been trying my best to research the attack and its possible next target - Aibo Academy.

But they could already plant another bomb, waiting for its explosion.

Do they already notice my hidden investigation of them?

They even predicted I won't be in the office since I had a day off today. So they will have time to execute their plan, considering the time for me to call out the troops.

Was it all planned perfectly?! How?!

I was being played this all-time...

"Um...sir?" The lady tried to call out Tasuku.

"A moment please." Tasuku clenched his fists in a cold sweat and grabbed his phone.

If my hypothesis is correct, that means...

Tasuku tried to call Light, but he didn't reply.

This is unusual, he doesn't miss my calls. Even if he missed one or he's busy, he will leave a proper message.

Who's in today's investigation team?

"Can you give me a name list of that research team?"

What is the bad feeling and anxiety in my chest...?

It is like a spear being pointed at my neck.

I do not want to wait for more. I must act now.

"Please wait for a second..."

Tasuku swiftly took away the tablet that the lady officer was holding, leaving her in a moment of shock. He quickly read the words like a scanner.

"...Kurouzu Light?! Why is he on the list?" Tasuku almost wanted to shout. The whole office heard his conversation and turned around.

"I am sorry but...your assistant insisted on joining today's investigation as a volunteer. And the leader thought he was a fine candidate."

"And therefore you let him without my permission, leaving without any message...?"

"..."

The lady stayed silent for a while. Tasuku stared at her with hidden rage on his face.

"I'm sorry!!"

She shouted and bowed. The eyes of the whole room were looking at her and whispering, while she was afraid to look into the irritating eyes of Tasuku.

"Please get up. I have no intention of punishing you. Moreover, we have more urgent things to handle." He sighed and said softly.

"I am sure everyone in this room heard what I said." Tasuku raised his voice.

"We will have a full elite raid on Golden Island. And I will make it now."

In the meantime, the officers and staff discuss the threats to the island, because the investigation team marked it as a "safe location" two weeks ago.

One of the officers raised his hand and commented. "Wasn't there an elite investigation conducted on the island already? And it was confirmed that the island has no threat?"

"However, there were still suspicions of safety, as long as an illegal monster emerged, it could cause multiple damages," Tasuku explained.

"How do you know if the island is very dangerous?"

Tasuku turned away from the crowd and talked to the communication department softly.

"This is the greatest evidence."

Multiple screens were shown, as they were the phone calls to every single investigation team member today, and they all missed the calls at once. All the officers and staff found it extremely awkward.

"Do you know what this means? The team was out at noon. Yet, they aren't returning. Additionally, we aren't able to contact all of them."

"We must begin another investigation on Golden Island now. This is a top-emergency level mission. From now on, we will have a rescue mission to save the investigation team and ensure the safety of Aibo Academy students on the island. If you have any questions regarding the mission, ask me anytime." Tasuku explained.

"Please contact the military department. I'm afraid we need more manpower and resources than we expected." He talked to the staff softly.

"Is there any more I need to inform the department?"

"Tell them I will be participating in the mission." Tasuku answered calmly while grabbing his jacket.

"Go to work."

--

In the hidden base on Golden Island. The two guards were struggling to find Kiyoshi.

"Damn it, where did he go?"

"Huff...how long have we lost him?"

"Around 10 minutes and more?"

"10 minutes?! He could have been outside!"

"Or not, I don't think he understands the structure of the base."

Abruptly, they receive a call from the raiding team commander.

"We found the location of where the targets hid. The prisoners and captives are useless now. Eliminate them."

The guards bit their hands to hide their fears and anxiety, forcing themselves to take the orders calmly.

"Roger..."

After that, they hurried to close the call.

"You heard that?! Now, this is your fault. We can't lose him!!"

"The entrance is guarded by tons of gatekeepers with firearms. There is no way he can escape."

"You're right...I need to calm myself."

"We still have a chance before we mess up."

"Isn't it impossible for only two of us to search for him? Should we call for aid?"

"You have got a point."

[System Alert: An intruder has entered the Research Room without permission.]

"Repeat...warning, an intruder, has entered the research room without permission. An individual is detected in the research room with no staff permission..." The announcement was played in their ears over and over again.

"Could that be..." The two guards stared at each other speechlessly.

"What have you done?! You triggered the alarm! Now they are coming!" Kiyoshi shouted at the moving shadow in the water without patience.

"No, young one. I think you (thou) misunderstand. You are the one who stepped into this room."

The creature swam around freely and made water splashes over the tube.

So you're telling me you aren't going to take any responsibility for causing me headaches and troubles?

"You led me here..." Kiyoshi stared at the beast unpleasantly.

"I did. Because I wanted to meet you."

"I do not..." Kiyoshi munched his lips and his finger. His sweat drops running down his face without a pause.

What am I going to do now?

Ugh. If that annoying creature wasn't involved in this, my plan would be perfect.

No, there is no time to think about it. I have to find a way to get out of this mess.

"I have been watching you since you arrived here, on this island." The shadow creature said.

"What...?" The words left Kiyoshi in shock.

"You and the other three teenagers. No, four. There were four..."

So he is saying Kai, Morihito, Kenji and Krieger? No, I don't have to hear about his words anymore.

"Please be quiet. I am trying to figure out a way to get out of the crap you created." Kiyoshi said coldly.

The gate was locked because of the alarm. It works when it detects a stranger in this room.

Is it possible for me to hide my presence near the pillars and walls?

No, it can't be done. Since this is a research room. Without any large facilities, hiding seemed to be an impossible task for me.

"You know it certainly. There is currently no probable solution if you do this alone."

...He is right, quite ironically.

"Although you believe in theories and act with logic, in your heart, you somehow trust that miracles are in this world."

Does he mean by how I thought about Kai and Morihito...?

"So, which side will you choose?" The creature whispered.

There is no probable solution if you do this alone?

He is also the one who got trapped.

...then why would he say that?

"What is your answer?"

"I..."

All of a sudden, the gate rumbled and a group of guards rushed in.

"Freeze!!!" The guards pointed their weapons into the darkness. After turning on the lights and shutting down the alarm, they searched every corner of the room but found nothing.

"Um...are we talking to air?"

"How is this even possible? The system said there is an invader, and it is never mistaken."

"Could it be a system error?"

"The technician didn't come in these three months. I won't say it is not reasonable."

"So you're telling me it was a false alarm?"

"I got excited for a moment..."

They sighed.

"Our leader was overfocused on the raid these months."

"That could be the cause."

The guards left the room soundlessly and closed the gate again. The alarm went off.

Amazing...so this is his ability.

Kiyoshi saw the guards walk past him and did not notice his existence.

Did I get rid of them?

Kiyoshi peeked around while his presence combined with the atmosphere.

"Fantastic. You solved the problem better than I envisioned." The creature commented. "I was asking you for two options, but you broke out of the boundary with your vision."

"What wouldn't work better if both of them are applied?" Kiyoshi questioned. "I will use everything I can to face any difficulty."

"Very well."

"I never thought you would be able to do this. But it isn't surprising if you are a wizard." He said.

The beast in the tube giggled lightly and bubbles formed on the water surface.

"Now I don't need to wait."

The creature disappeared from the tube abruptly. A glow of light and a spell mark was generated in front of Kiyoshi afterwards. Kiyoshi was aware of how he teleported from places so rapidly.

"There is no need to be afraid."

A small dragon appeared with a wizard hat, descending from the air.

"I am Easton, the deity of magic, known as..."

"A Dragod."

The word impaled Kiyoshi's ears. The enormous force flew into the room and halted his breathing.

A Dragod...?!

Why would a Dragod appear here?

Dragod. The myths said that they are the deities who helped create the habitat for monsters in the past, dividing them into various worlds.

Recently, they began to have contact with humans again. Several appearances of Dragod had been reported around the world. It was said that Dragod users have their reasons to be chosen and have certain abilities.

"The answer is simple. Because they can wield the power." The voice echoed in Kiyoshi's ears.

Did he just talk to my inner voice again...?!

"So, young one..." The creature murmured.

"Do you wish to wield this power?"

How can I not answer yes in this situation?

But for why Dragod gathered on Earth. There must be a reason, a problem they wanted to solve.

What would bring them this urgency, to rush to find an owner?

"So you are aware of your responsibilities? Do not be worried, those are minor things." Easton explained.

"Minor things"...?!

"I see a bright future for the prince."

"And he'll lead me to fulfil my goal."

"So...will you please accept?"

The small dragon bowed and said politely with a peaceful smile.

I must be dreaming, did a Dragod just bow at me?!

As if he was truly showing respect to me, but why me?

"You don't need to be modest. Besides, I place humans as equally as our kind."

"Am I worthy to be the one who uses Dragod's powers?" Kiyoshi forgot the sweat dripping along his face.

"Indeed. Now, please answer me, young one, will you accept?" He pleaded.

Kiyoshi swallowed the uncertainty in his mouth.

"Yes." He answered firmly.

"Very well, prince." The monster grinned.

"I shall also fulfil the prince's desire until the end."

"I am Kamei Kiyoshi. You may call me Kiyoshi."

"Understand. From now on, I will be calling my lord with the name, 'Kiyoshi'."

--

Morihito took out his stabbed blade on the ground and jumped onto the Buddyfight stage.

"Do not forget the rules." Masumi smirked. A pond of shadow emerged near him. Excrucia ascended from the darkness with red glowing eyes.

"Do not forget that this is my turn." Morihito replied with a frown.

"Go on...it won't take long to see you struggle for more." Masumi teased.

Masumi's field

[Life: 8/ Gauge: 2/ Hand: 1]

Face-up cards in the deck: 0

Set spell: Fortify The Dark Thought

Item: Amulet of Desire

(L: Bazolii) (C: Denial Dragon (1 soulguard)) (R: Excrucia (2 soulguard))

Morihito's field

[Life: 1/ Gauge: 0/ Hand: 4]

Item: Drago Blade

(No monsters on the field)

Lots of things happened abruptly after I gained consciousness. I need some time to process this.

Morihito's field

[Life: 1/ Gauge: 1(charge)/ Hand: 5(draw)]

Item: Drago Blade

(No monsters on the field)

"Morihito...? Are you hurt?" Xander worried and said in a weak voice. He could not believe what Morihito just experienced.

"No, Xander. I am completely fine."

"Great..." Xander's voice was almost silent.

At the same time, his body shrank into his mini form. Morihito caught the falling Xander from the air in his arms, without a moment of hesitation.

Xander's wounds got more serious. If this continues, it can be fatal.

But no one can heal him.

Wait...

Wasn't I also injured? And I got healed by Drago. If that's the case, is Drago able to heal Xander?

No, hold on. There is an even better solution!

Morihito read the cards in his hand.

Attributes, "Recovery"...

Let's hope it works this way.

"I cast Secret Force Dragon Technique. For this turn, Drago Blade cannot be 'Rest' by abilities!"

Secret Force Dragon Technique

Worlds: Dragon World

Type: Spell

Attributes: Force dragon, Enhance

-This card's abilities cannot be nullified by your opponent's card effects.

You may choose one of the following two

-[Counter] [Pay 1 gauge] In this turn, all Force Dragon on your field gets power2000 and defense2000 according to the number of Force Dragon in your drop zone and on your field.

-[Counter] Choose a Force Dragon or an item on your field, for this turn, the chosen card cannot be destroyed and [Rest] by your opponent's card abilities.

Morihito's field

[Life: 1/ Gauge: 0/ Hand: 4]

Item: Drago Blade

(No monsters on the field)

"I cast, Dragonic Charge, 'Plus'. I gained 5 gauges in total. I buddy call Xander to the right position."

Ancient Force Protector Dragon, Xander

Worlds: Dragon World

Type: Size 2 monster

Attributes: Ancient Warrior, Force Dragon

Power: 12000 / Crit: 4 / Defense: 4000

[Call Cost] [Pay 3 gauge and put the top two cards from your deck into this card's soul]

-"Life Stream" When this card enters the field, if you have 5 or more Force Dragon in your drop zone, your life becomes 10. If this card is your buddy, you gain 1 more life. This ability cannot be nullified by your opponent's card effects.

-When this card attacks, it attacks all your opponent's monsters and your opponent instead!

[Move] [Soulguard]

The cards in the gauge zone and life points increased exponentially. Morihito carried Xander to the right side of the field with a bounce.

"I'll be right back. Please wait for a little." Morihito said faintly.

Morihito's field

[Life: 11/ Gauge: 2/ Hand: 2]

Item: Drago Blade

(No monsters on the field)

Tch, his life points go up like a blast...

Masumi munched and showed his jaw.

"Great Treasure, Pirate Dragon to the left."

Great Treasure, Pirate Dragon

Worlds: Dragon World, Dungeon World

Type: Size 1 monster

Attributes: Blue dragon, Force dragon

Power: 4000 / Crit: 2 / Defense: 1000

[Call Cost] [Put a card on the top of your deck into this card's soul]

- When this card enters your field, put the top card of your deck into your gauge for each Force Dragon on your field.

[Soulguard]

Morihito's field

[Life: 11/ Gauge: 4/ Hand: 1]

Item: Drago Blade

(L: Pirate Dragon) (R: Xander)

"Morihito, take my gift..." Pirate said excitedly and his voice got softer gradually.

"Boss Xander?!" He shouted. "Morihito, what happened to boss Xander? Why is he hurt like this?!"

"He protected me when I was unconscious." Morihito said softly.

"No...this can't be true." Pirate Dragon's stunned eyes welled up with tears and he covered his face.

Now, it is time...

"I cast, Force Dragons' Party."

Force Dragons' Party

Worlds: Dragon World

Type: Spell

Attributes: Recovery

-You may only cast this card when you have one or more Force Dragon on your field.

-Put the top card of your deck into your gauge and gain life for each Force Dragon on your field. You may only cast 'Force Dragons' Party!' once per turn.

This spell will heal him.

Morihito's field

[Life: 13/ Gauge: 6/ Hand: 0]

Item: Drago Blade

(L: Pirate Dragon) (R: Xander)

A dim light glowed in Xander's chest, in response to the card that Morihito held. Pirate Dragon noticed and looked back at him. However, the wounds on Xander remained unfaded.

Please be working...

"Morihito...you can heal boss Xander?" Pirate Dragon asked weakly.

Why are the burns on his skin not recovering?

How is it still bleeding...?!

"Morihito, why aren't you answering me...? Will boss Xander be okay?"

Is it because the wounds are too great?

How many shocks did he take when I was asleep, and caused him such serious injuries?!

Damn it! Why doesn't it heal up by itself?! What am I missing?

"Morihito...?"

"..."

"I don't know..." He answered shiveringly. "I don't know whether I can save him just like he did to me."

Numerous times, he protected and took all the injuries that I should have.

"I want him to be saved."

Whenever I look back at him, he smiles back victoriously, even when he is hurt.

"Please wake up..."

I feel guilt overflowing. Because there is nothing I can do.

But now I feel different. I have grown more powerful, but it is far from enough.

I will master this power.

So I can protect him.

"Please heal him..."

Morihito kneeled in front of Xander and continued to cast the spell. The tears blurred his sight and forced him to close his eyes. But he wasn't able to wipe them away with his hands.

"Boss Xander..." Pirate Dragon followed Morihito and hugged Xander's body.

"Will he wake up...?" Pirate Dragon asked sincerely.

I don't know, but I am afraid of opening my eyes again.

I wanted all this to be a dream.

"Morihito...?"

A voice made him blink his welled up eyes.

"He's...boss Xander is awake!!" Pirate Dragon yelled gratefully.

Morihito saw Xander back in his huge form.

"What's going on here?" Xander looked around confusingly. Then he stared away.

In a flash, Morihito clasped him. Xander felt the warmth in his chest.

"You made me worried..." Morihito said softly.

"Huh? What?!" Xander gasped. "Look at the stupid face you made, what happened?"

"Boss Xander, Morihito just saved you!" Pirate Dragon explained in a rush.

Xander was astonished at first and showed a warm smile after.

"I see...thank you." Xander didn't hesitate to hug Morihito back.

Abruptly, the sound of clapping disturbed them.

"Oh, what a touching moment!" Masumi smirked and his tongue cleaned his lips. His malicious grin revealed the horrendous side inside of him. "But time doesn't wait for people."

Masumi "misclicked" on his tablet and manipulated the man on the elevator. The man screamed through his larynx after seeing his hands moving close to the edge of the wheels. Suddenly, the wheel stopped. The man who hanged over the wheels fainted and fell unconscious.

"Oops. I didn't expect that!" He said giddily. "Now he's useless."

"Morihito, are you thinking the same thing as I do?" Xander asked.

"Yeah." Morihito nodded and replied with a smile.

We will be the ones who end this nightmare.

"Let's take down that big jerk!!!" Xander pulled his broadsword from his back.

"Let's defeat him." Morihito grabbed his blade tightly and securely. His eyes shined accordingly to his blade like a blue diamond.

Xander jumped off the ground and slammed his blade toward Bazolii and Denial Dragon one by one.

Meanwhile, Morihito dashed at Excrucia. The blades of Excrucia and Morihito grinded with each other. Then Xander joined him with a slash. Excrucia stepped back and made a howl. Morihito approached him with a heavy step. Excrucia's red glowing blades extended and blocked him with a cross.

He's tough...!

Morihito tried to push his blade forward. The sparkles of the blades got even more fierce. Finally, Xander appeared on his left and ripped Excrucia's wrist off. Excrucia roared at him after reviving itself with a soulguard.

Xander (12000) Morihito's Drago Blade (6000) = 18000 power 14000 defence = Excrucia (6000) Dragonarms Of Self-Destruct in soulguard (4000) Dragonarms, Husk in soulguard (4000)

Unexpectedly, Excrucia grabbed Pirate Dragon and stabbed his bloody coloured blade into him. The tiny blue dragon's black hat fell off and struggled to get rid of Excrucia. However, the body beamed and slowly broke.

Was that Husk's ability...?! Morihito noticed after a moment.

"Boss Xander, Morihito, you two must do your best!!"

"I promise you we'll! Just leave the rest to us!!" Morihito cried while Pirate Dragon shattered into pieces and disappeared.

Morihito's field

[Life: 13/ Gauge: 6/ Hand: 0]

Item: Drago Blade

(L: (destroyed)) (R: Xander)

Dragonarms, Husk

World: Darkness Dragon World, Star Dragon World

Type: Size 0 monster

Attribute: Dragonarms, Dark

Power: 1000/ Crit:1/ Def: 1000

- When this card is placed from your deck face up, put the top card of your deck into your gauge, and you get 1 life.

- When this card is in the soul of a Black Dragon, that card gets defence 4000 and [Counterattack].

- When this card is sent to the drop zone, your opponent has to place a card from their field to the bottom of their deck.

[Crossnize]

"Interesting, so he's a monster who can target everything on the field at once..." Masumi mumbled. Meanwhile, Xander raised his blade beside him in a flash.

"Get DOWN!!" He screeched along with his sword, cutting through his target. Masumi got whacked and the ground cracked several times after.

Bang, bang, bam!!

"It surely was hurt..." Masumi got up with a smirk. "Now you have one attack left, and Excrucia will remain on my field this turn no matter what."

Masumi's field

[Life: 4/ Gauge: 2/ Hand: 1]

Face-up cards in the deck: 0

Set spell: Fortify The Dark Thought

Item: Amulet of Desire

(L: (destroyed)) (C: Denial Dragon (0 soulguard)) (R: Excrucia (1 soulguard))

"But your centre will be destroyed." Morihito continued and gave Denial Dragon a slash in the air. It howled growlingly at Morihito with his saliva falling down his chin. Masumi bit his lips and frowned after seeing Denial Dragon being destroyed.

Masumi's field

[Life: 4/ Gauge: 2/ Hand: 1]

Face-up cards in the deck: 0

Set spell: Fortify The Dark Thought

Item: Amulet of Desire

(C: (Destroyed)) (R: Excrucia (1 soulguard))

"Your turn shall end now, with no cards remaining in your hand..." Masumi noticed the disadvantage of Morihito.

Looks like he calmed down a little, unlike previously...

Is it finally time to ask him?

"Masumi..."

"What?"

"How long do you think we have fought?"

"So you're getting tired?" Masumi smirked.

"No, I mean, I saw the previous attacks of yours. The attack on me was vastly stronger than theirs. It was like you intended to attack me more than the others. But I noticed the hatred wasn't on me."

"You assume I am fighting a ghost?" He giggled.

I see. Now I can confirm my assumptions.

With the help from Drago, now I can finally calm myself and think.

There is a thing I don't understand. And I want to know it before I leave this place.

Doctor Kitagawa Masumi, who was once my father's greatest colleague. The one I knew was a kind-hearted, caring person.

I know, there must be a reason why he would turn out to be this way.

Probably there was someone who pushed him this far.

At the first sight, he asked me about my father, instead of anyone else.

It was like he intended to "find" him. But he switched the focus on me later.

"So...what are you trying to say?"

"Masumi, what caused you to be one of them?"

"Was it because of my father?"

When Morihito said so, Masumi tightened his fists. His gaze fixed on Morihito.

"You're talking of him all of a sudden?"

"Why can't I?" Morihito questioned softly.

"You want to learn about your father? Let me tell you..."

"He's dead! And you never see him ever again!" Masumi grinned evilly with opened arms.

Masumi's laughter spread over the room and into Morihito's ears. Xander held his broadsword's handle much harder.

"How dare you say that to Morihito?!" Xander growled. However, Morihito wasn't moved by Masumi's words.

"No. If my father is no longer here, you won't ask me. Besides..."

"If he's gone, the hatred in your heart will be gone too. Because he is the reason why you keep seeking to express your anger on others."

As Masumi recognized his stories didn't work on Morihito, his smile fell.

"So...?" He said hatefully.

"Indeed. But your actions follow your mind. And you knew where it came from."

"Emotions." Morihito glanced at Masumi and spoke certainly.

I recall the things I saw when I was on a lake. I don't think they're illusions.

It seems I am only able to enter the lake under some circumstances.

There are two sides to the water surface. When I was asleep, I fell to another side, my consciousness went into the lake. But I still knew things in reality. Thanks to Drago's help.

I remembered that he told me "The pleasantness of the water's surface calms people's minds."

The lake taught me something about the emotions of people around me.

I noticed it when I began to investigate the ripples. There were ripples next to me when I entered. And soon, I remembered there were also plenty of them farther away.

I am pretty sure I also made lots of ripples on my side. They only appear according to my feelings.

In other words, the ripples in the deepwater reflect people's emotions on the "reality" side.

At that time, before I left the lake, there were only three around me.

Xander, Masumi, and his buddy Excrucia.

I suppose the ripples I saw near me were Xander's.

Then who made those ripples far away?

Excrucia's emotions don't change much during the fight.

So there is only one possible answer.

"'Emotions', you said?"

"Yea. Your actions were bound by emotions. You truly understand how to hurt others and express your feelings through them."

"Because you are the one who was hurt too, Masumi."

"'Hurt'?" He chuckled.

All of a sudden, Masumi broke out into scornful laughter and covered the forehead with his right hand.

"Do you have any idea of what kind of nonsense you are saying...? You are a prisoner. And yet you are trying to put me into the same line of yours?"

"I have the choice to do whatever I want. However, I have the choice over your life. I can kill you whenever I want."

Masumi's voice got louder and wilder along with his laughter.

"And all you can do is struggle and watch your friends have the same fate as yours!" He yelled.

I can do whatever I want.

Ever since that day, I was set free. I could choose whatever I want to become and accomplish, whatever path I want...

They allowed me to be reborn. And I gratefully accepted.

And I was reborn with new power.

Now I am not bound by anything. I have all the freedom I seek. All the desires I wanted.

Nothing stands in my way.

Nothing could stop me from doing anything.

N̷o̶ ønē can.

N̷o̵t̸h̴i̷n̵g̶can.

"N̴̛͈o̸̍͜t̸̬́h̴̙̑ȉ̶͖n̷̘̊ǵ̵̣".

His shadow shifted and revealed the expression on his face. It was like a monster bellowing with agony.

Was it a delusion? Did I just see the shadow move by itself?!

Morihito inhaled cold air through the trachea and it remained in his lungs.

"Morihito, his shadow...! Xander broke out a sweat.

"I saw it too..." Morihito muttered.

So I am not the only one who saw it?!

What is that thing...?

"At the beginning of my turn, I can place a card from the top of my deck to the bottom." Masumi explained with a smirk.

Fortify The Dark Thought

World: Darkness Dragon World, Star Dragon World

Type: Spell

Attribute: Enhance

[Set]

- You may only [Set] one "Fortify The Dark Thought" on your field.

- At the beginning of your turn, you may place the top card of your deck face up and send it to the bottom of your deck.

- When your life is 0, return all Dragonarms from the drop zone face up to the bottom of your deck. Your life becomes 1. You may only use this ability once per turn.

Masumi's field

[Life: 4/ Gauge: 3(charge)/ Hand: 2(draw)]

Face-up cards in the deck: 1

Set spell: Fortify The Dark Thought

Item: Amulet of Desire

(R: Excrucia (1 soulguard))

"You think I am bound by emotions. But let me prove it to you..."

"I can control the power of emotions to the fullest!!" He screamed. Without another moment, the shadow he was standing on expanded and blackened instantly, it splashed and devoured his body entirely, along with his scream. It was all done within a second.

"The shadow swallowed him...!" Morihito and Xander watched him disappear in the gloom with vast stares.

This uneasy feeling...

Xander held the grip of his sword strongly and sweat streaming down his face. Morihito chewed his jaw and took a quivering sigh.

"Release, Dragon Force 'Style of Ḙ̶̩̆̒n̷̮͛v̸̨̌̋ÿ̶̰̚'."

The whole room was silenced. Abruptly, a shadowy figure clambered out of the murk. He exhaled a chill breath, and the claws grasped out of the darkness, leaving cracks and deep marks near the corners. Wicked purplish crimson glowing eyes said with a monstrous and gruesome tone.

""̴̡͉̾͠L̵̞̽ĕ̴̜͔̃t̶̨̓̽ ̵̝̮̬͐t̸̖̿̋ḧ̵͇͙̀̉e̷͓̮͌̏ͅ ̶̠́̌̈́r̸̤̤̔̋̈́ě̴̲̗͝á̵̫l̶̻͓͙̍ ̴̦̺͖̋̑f̵̬̒̅͝e̷̠̼̘̋͂ā̸̲̥̑̚s̴̠͍̏̍͑ͅt̸̼̔͗̓ ̶̡̖̋̐͜b̷͎̞̹̋͛ȅ̵̼͕͌ǵ̸̦̖̗i̸̮͎̾͌͜n̴͚͕̆.̵̞͍̪̅̐"̶̢̱͚͌̓́

[To be continued...]

--

'Mini-Buddyfight Talk!'

A sign was written with a few words.

[Closed: Force Dragons out for lunch]

[Thx for reading]

Ending 1 - Tomorrow

https/youtu.be/tfRsyXIRQtY

~PREVIEW!~

Top Emergency level mission - Golden Island Rescue.

"Oh look, commissioner Tasuku and commander Zanya are coming to this mission together." An officer commented.

"The two greatest leaders of the Buddy Police are here. They are like two brightest stars in the night." Another officer stretched his arms. Two of them agreed and read the tasks on the screen.

"They are calling for navies?!"

"Yes, commissioner Tasuku said this mission is extraordinarily serious."

A spot on the map blinked repeatedly and beeped.

"We just received some coordinates of the island. Give them a check?"

"Hold on a minute, they aren't even from ours?"

"Then who?"

"Who knows?"

"Uh..."

"We have to report this to the commissioner." One of them said firmly.


Hey, readers. I am here to tell you straightforwardly and aggressively, that I am going to write and spend years writing this fiction, which will be a long journey. I will treat this fiction like my son. I want to write an epic Buddyfight fanfiction, which is even better than the original series! To accomplish that, I will need your help and ideas for cards, characters and the story. Everyone is welcome to the discord server of this fiction! Get free spoilers and chat with the author, muahahaha! I appreciate your aid and support!! :D

Join Discord:https/discord.gg/78mVzYK7YB