Third Legend: Lance of the Storm
Alongside Knight was another rider; Kamen Rider Lancer. A man of honor and tradition, he served as a 'second in command' to Knight. Powerful and feared by men and monster alike. His downfall was that he was not a very trusting man. Unless he's known a man long enough, he would refuse to trust them or consider them an ally.
At Sakura's, within the evening, the bakery was closed early for the day. In the basement, there was a meeting. At the end of the table, Osamu sat in a seat and looked over the others. The younger man, who's named was Hideki, sat and watched Osamu, ready to stop any rash behavior. Ayumu sat on the other side of the table, across from Hideki. Momiji stood at the doorway, with concern on her face. She had proof now that the monster that Ayumu mentioned is real. These two men had basically become the vital proof he needed to show that he had actually battled two monsters. Osamu then looked at the belt that Ayumu had been using.
"This belt belonged to a comrade of ours." He stated, speaking quietly, "Kayden was our Kamen Rider Knight."
"Kamen Rider?" Ayumu asked, not sure what a term like that could mean.
"We're masked warriors meant to battle monsters." Hideki spoke up, turning his head toward Ayumu, "We battle monsters known as the Masks."
Ayumu looked at Hideki, but before he could ask what they were, Osamu spoke up, "The Masks are monsters created from Sanity. Picture a person who is unstable in their mind. Now picture that sanity removed and manifested into a monster. You've seen two so far: Dagon and Gug. We haven't been able to find their source though."
"You see, they don't just appear out of nowhere." Hideki began to explain, "We have learnt that a person can choose to become one or not. Those cards you've been using, the Mask Cards, are their source. A person must use one to create an opening in the body and insert the card. Upon such, their body is replaced with the Mask."
"What about the belts?"
Osamu stood up and held up the belt, "This is your Blade Driver. You insert a Mask Card inside and when closed, the belt absorbs the energy from the card. The side slots are Arms Slots. You insert an Arms Card inside and it creates your equipment. Each color of card is its own level, Bronze to Platinum. Your Seal Card goes in the fourth slot, inside your weapon, and you should have realized so far, it is your final attack. Use it to finish off a Mask."
"Why couldn't I transform before my battle though?"
Osamu lowered the belt, "It can only act within the presence of a Mask. We're trying to find a way around that if possible, so we can eventually train."
Ayumu nodded, "So you're gonna let me continue fighting the Masks? Wait a minute!" Ayumu stood up, "Why are you two involved?"
"You and Kayden were not the only people fighting the Masks." Osamu stated, "We've been hunting them for about two months now. Our hunt had lead us here, Akusaka City."
The two headed for the door, finished what they had to say for the day, "We're going to find somewhere to stay the night. Until then, consider the position you're in right now."
Hideki waved as a farewell and the two left the bakery. When they knew they were gone, Momiji practically ran over to the table, "There is no way I'm letting you fight monsters! That's too dangerous!"
"I can do it! You want me to do something, here it is!" Ayumu took the belt from the table, "Why is it that when I find something I can do to make a difference, you try to take it away?!"
Ayumu looked at the belt, "There must be a reason I arrived at that battle. I'm not throwing this chance away."
He stormed off upstairs, toward their small complex above the bakery. Momiji sighed and sat on the table. She didn't want to lose him.
Osamu awoke from their two motel rooms, stepping outside to greet the sunlight. Hideki stretched and looked at the sunrise and chuckled, smiling as well. Osamu glared at the sun and scoffed, "How can you enjoy a blinding light against your eyes?"
"You're just grouchy." Hideki chuckled again but his smile left as he noticed something. A black car was approaching the motel. Osamu took notice of it too and groaned. The car parked in front of the motel and a woman stepped out. She was young and had long black hair. She wore a long grey coat. She went to Osamu and crossed her arms.
"Tch… Rie." Osamu said, "What are you doing here?"
"Did you remember to bring your stuff?"
Osamu made a confused look and looked up on the second floor walkway, at Hideki. Hideki showed that he had a suitcase with him, a smirk on his face. Osamu ran into this motel and realized that he had never packed his stuff. Rie tossed a large brown suitcase to him then a small metal one, "You should be thankful that I remember this stuff for you! Now where is Kayden?"
Osamu put the suitcases down and approached her. Hideki didn't want to hear it again so he went back into his room. He did though, start thinking about the situation. They had a new Rider on their side but had lost one as well. The Masks were also appearing more frequent than usual. They had a plan in motion, which must be it. That must be why there's more of them. Though something still didn't make sense. How can the Masks keep getting created? Who was their source?
Rie did not enjoy the news. She stayed silent the whole time Osamu spoke and even a little after he was done. The young woman sat against the railing and thought, "Kayden… dead…? Impossible…!"
"This new Rider. Is he any good?"
"He lacks technique and skill. He is a simple knave, nothing more." Osamu was more irritated each time he thought of Ayumu using Knights Blade Driver. The boy knew nothing about fighting. He would be dead before they knew it, "I can fight them on my own!"
"Osamu, stop! We can use all of the help we can get, no matter how skilled he is."
Hideki stepped outside and looked down at the first floor, "Osamu? I think we've missed something."
Ayumu had gone for a walk the next day to get away from the bakery and his cousin. Why would she want him to pass this opportunity? It didn't make sense to him and he could care less what her opinion was on this. He felt angered and hoped the walk would cool him off.
Ayumu stopped. He heard extra footsteps but they sounded strange. He turned around to see a sight: A Mask. It was a black mask with orbs on its chest. It also wore a strange cloak, one that resembled moth wings and a moth's mane.
"A-A Mask!" Ayumu swung his belt on and waited for the monster to act. It chuckled and pointed at him.
"You. Rider. I think you're going to become a major problem to us. I'm here to fix that." The voice sounded young, yet had a deep tone hidden inside it. People began entering the street, watching. Ayumu noticed and knew these people could get attacked.
"St-stand back!"
They all stared at Ayumu, emotionless. The monster chuckled and raised his hand up high, "Kyoki's! Come at my command!"
The people all became cloaked in a dark mist. When the mist faded away, they had become monsters. They were humanoids covered in thin black fur. Their hair became white with black stripes. Their faces were blank but were covered in what seemed to be war paint and ancient symbols. Their hands were clawed and they moved around like monkeys and apes, ready to play. The Mask pointed at Ayumu and the six creatures charged at him.
Ayumu quickly put his Mask Card and an Arms Card in the Driver and closed it. His armor appeared in a flash of light, along with a sword. He swung at the closest 'Kyoki''s gut, making it fall forward, past Ayumu. He swung around at the Kyoki's but they were very flexible. They jumped, flipped, and cartwheeled around him. They hit him in a random order, hitting his back. Each time he spun around to counter, another hits his back. He was able to hit one then jump out of the circle. He took out his Seal and put it in the swords hilt. The sword glowed in its purple flames. He swung at the Kyoki's, hitting each one.
"FINAL WAVE!"
The Kyoki's all screamed and flew back, before erupting into a black mist. Ayumu turned to face the Mask but it had vanished already. He looked around before dismissing his armor, "What was that about…?"
"Ayumu!" Hideki ran over to the man and stopped to catch his breath, "I-I just saw the fight. You were fighting the Kyoki!"
"Kyoki? What are they?"
"The Masks, the higher level ones, can create foot soldiers called the Kyoki. They are bestial creatures that enjoy collecting sanity. I'm surprised they're here too." Hideki wiped his forehead and looked around the area, "Thankfully no one saw…"
Ayumu sighed and looked around as well. What will happen when word gets out of the Masks and the Riders? There'd be a panic, that's what. Ayumu and Hideki then agreed to go elsewhere and talk. They began to walk away, heading toward the docks. They sat down at the edge and looked at the horizon.
"Hideki? Why does Osamu act so passionate about fighting the Masks?" Ayumu asked quietly, not wanting to kill the mood.
The boy sighed before starting his story, "Well… Our mother and father were victims of a Mask attack. One Mask, a pitch black one, attacked our town. The Mask destroyed our home, with our parents inside. We just so happen to be gone at the time. When we had returned, we found the burning ruins of our home and the Mask battling a Kamen Rider."
"Kayden?"
"Kayden… He battled bravely for our town but took a lethal strike to the side. The Mask fled though and Kayden told us what had happened. Osamu nearly begged him to let him fight and Kayden gave him an extra Blade Driver he had found."
"Oh yeah… Wait, so Osamu is a…"
"Kamen Rider."
Osamu and Rie walked down the street, heading toward the bakery. They stopped as they noticed something step out from the alleyway. There was a creature with gross grey skin. It had a fish like face, with a wide mouth with sharp teeth. Its back was covered in spikes and its stomach looked gooey and sticky. The creature made a gurgling sound at the two.
"Gla'Aki." Osamu said before turned to Rie, "Give me the belt."
She handed him the metal suitcase she brought with them. He opened it up and looked at the Blade Driver inside. He took out the belt and swung it on. He took out one of his Mask Cards, this one with the word 'Lancer' on it.
"Henshin!"
He put the card in the belt and closed it. In a flash of light, Osamu's armor had appeared. He had silver armor, his visor snapping on like Ayumu's did. His armor was similar to Ayumu, had gauntlets, boots, and a chest plate except his chest plate had sleeves that went to the elbows. He also had what resembled the bottom half of a robe. He pointed to the monster, which looked surprised.
The Mask spoke with its gurgling voice, "Who are you?!"
"I am Kamen Rider Lancer!" Osamu dashed at the monster and jumped, kicking its face. Gla'aki stumbled back from the strike. Osamu then drew an Arms Card and put it in its slot. In his hand, a thin bronze lance appeared. He held it above and pointed it at the monster, the tip resting on his finger tip. Gla'aki gurgled before charging at Osamu. The Rider did a reversal around Gla'Aki before slashing at his back. Gla'Aki fell forward but climbed back to his feet. He gurgled and spat out a vat of ooze, which hit Osamu's chest, making him fall back. He stood back up and ran at the monster, swinging his lance at the vats to knock them away. When he got closer, he swung slashes the Masks soft belly and stabbed at it, making the monster fly back into the wall. The Mask collapsed onto the ground and gurgled more. Osamu shook his head and took out his Seal Card. Gla'Aki got up as the rider put the Card in his lances handle. The slug like creature ran at Osamu, ready to strike but when he got close enough, Osamu swung his lance in an upward slash, turned around and slashed downward, leaving two large slash marks on the Mask.
"Final Wave," He then spun around and lunged at the Mask, striking right between the two slashes. Gla'Aki roared loudly in a gurgle before exploding. The explosion reversed into a black orb, which shattered right after.
Osamu looked over at Rie. He rested his lance on his shoulder and scoffed, "I told you I can fight them on my own."
He began to walk away, his armor dismissed. Rie sighed and shook her head. Was Osamu ready for this responsibility? Or will he fall alongside Kayden? Only time would tell…
If only the two noticed that they were being watched.
Next On Kamen Rider Knave!
"You lack knowledge of your own power."
"Masks are inside Akusaka and we don't know it."
"We will never become allies! I will never lower myself to your level!"
"Henshin!"
"Class Augment!"
AUTHOR COMMENTS
Yes, I know, Lancer is just like Kaito, but hey! I made him first! See ya next, Rider!