A/N: Hey everyone, once again proof that yet another one of my stories is not dead! It is still ongoing so rest assured I haven't quit on this story due to stuff going on in life. Sorry for the late update as well since life had me busy. As you all have noticed from what you may have guessed from the name of the chapter, we are at the start of the Zolgear arc which means conflicts will rise and development occurring. That being said, let's get back to it and begin the chapter!
'Thought'
"Ganma"
Within the confines of his private chamber, Zolgear reclined upon his bed, indulging in the company of his female slaves, savoring their submission to his whims. It was a momentary respite, shattered by the arrival of Zest, who entered the room bearing crucial information. She approached Zolgear, delivering a comprehensive report on their spies who had been diligently surveilling Basara and Mio. As she spoke, she presented a recording, showcasing the relentless battles and the remarkable growth of the pair.
Zolgear's eyes narrowed as he absorbed the revelation. "The master and servant pact," he mused aloud, his voice laced with intrigue.
Zest nodded, affirming the accuracy of the information. "Indeed, according to Lars's report, it appears that Basara Toujou has forged a pact with Mio Naruse," she relayed to her master.
As Zolgear delved deeper into the recording, his curiosity piqued by Basara's finishing move, Banishing Shift, he couldn't help but voice his astonishment. "What is this? Has he eradicated all traces of magic?" he exclaimed.
Zest's voice held a note of certainty as she explained, "Yes, every vestige of magic power has been utterly erased. It would seem that Mio Naruse was saved from the brink of a devastating rampage by this newfound ability."
Zolgear's expression grew contemplative, his mind working through the implications. "The girl harboring the power of the former demon lord, coveted by all within the demon world," he mused, a hint of amusement tugging at the corners of his lips. "Intriguing indeed. This development holds significant intrigue. Who else is privy to this information?" he inquired.
"Lars," Zest promptly responded.
Zolgear's dismissive snort conveyed his disregard for Lars. "No need to pay any attention to someone of his caliber," he stated firmly.
His daughter/creation interjected, her voice tinged with a mix of loyalty and concern. "The plan you devised is prepared, as you have commanded, your excellency," she informed him. "However..."
The male demon noticed the brief pause in Zest. "What is it?"
"It is regarding what else I have been noticing when they fight. The unknown group."
"Who else is at play?" Zolgear requested.
The crystal ball projected an image of a blue faced 'devil' wearing a black jacket along with the image of his human form.
"A human?"
"There is more behind it." Zolgear watched before witnessing the human transforming into the armor he saw earlier in the projection. Now he was curious.
"Who is this human?"
"From the sources I gathered - He is a human from another country. Currently residing in the town for two years." The projection displayed his combat and transformation. "He calls himself 'Specter', named after a type of ghost of terrifying nature. He uses odd objects called 'Eyecons' that wield… souls of legendary heroes."
"He is capable of harnessing the souls of great heroes?" Zolgear raised an eyebrow. Zest nodded in confirmation, "And if the first 15 are gathered, it can grant the one who gathers them any wish they dream of."
This raised Zolgear's interest. "Any wish you say?"
"That is what they discussed, Zolgear-sama. As of now, he has five in his collection. The names of these souls being Nobunaga, Edison, Tutankhamun, Robin Hood and Musashi."
"So he has five of them?" The male demon mused. "Any ideas on how we can find the others ourselves?"
"I'm afraid he is the only one who has that knowledge." Zest stated, showing another projection of a Ganma when it was visible by the gold dust the young Hero unleashed. "And it looks like these dark spirits knew about it too. They are competing to see if either side gets all fifteen."
"So we got three factions fighting for these 'Eyecons': The first one being us, the second is this Specter, and those spirits." Zolgear surmised. "Zest, see what you can find out about these spirits. We never encountered them before, so there's no telling what would happen if any of us fought them."
"And the Eyecons?" asked Zest.
"Those as well. We never heard of them until now. See if you can obtain information on how to locate them."
With dutiful compliance, Zest departed to collect the required intel. Meanwhile, Zolgear fixated on the image of Specter and Ganma, observing the young man's internal battle. The intensity of his rage suggested that this internal struggle had persisted for an extended period of time.
And now, they are racing to find 15 Eyecons to gain a wish from the source. A wish for anything they desire.
If he were to find all of them, he can have everything he could ever dream of. All the power, all the influence to the demon world. All he needed to do… is take what the Specter has in order to find all of them to gain the wish.
What better way than to order his pawn to make their move.
A Specter's Testament
Chapter 9: Approach! The Demon, Zolgear Strikes!
With unwavering precision, the spectral Rider drew his bow string taut, his gaze fixed upon the intended target. He released the tension, and the arrow soared through the air, finding its mark as it pierced the bark of a sturdy tree. Without a moment's hesitation, he smoothly repeated the motion, unleashing a second arrow with pinpoint accuracy. Just as swiftly, he pivoted on his foot, effortlessly sending a third arrow hurtling behind him. It found its place in the trunk of another tree, right at the center of the target.
Tapping the stopwatch, Yurusen called out, "Time!"
"What's the score?"
Curiosity filled the air as the small spirit checked the stopwatch, his eyes widening in awe. A sharp whistle escaped his lips. "Wow, a 20-second improvement! It seems that utilizing the power of the Eyecon of Robin Hood has indeed honed your aim and enhanced your archery skills," he exclaimed, impressed by the spectral Rider's progress.
"Seems like it," he muttered, reflecting on his decision to acquire the Eyecon of Robin Hood, driven by his desire to enhance his archery skills and running speed, both bestowed by the Eyecon's abilities. The Condorphone proved to be a valuable tool, especially when combined with the GanGunSaber.
Nobunaga, Tutankhamen, Musashi, Edison, and Robin Hood — five Eyecons obtained, with only 10 remaining. He was steadily making progress, moving closer to his goal.
"Just a little more time," he reminded himself, a flicker of determination in his eyes. "Just a little more, and I can reclaim my normal life." His wish, once granted, would restore what he had lost, allowing him to finally return home.
The Condorphone abruptly rang, making Yurusen grab it. "Hello?"
Enrique glanced at Yurusen who answered the phone. "Oh he's here. But he's a little busy. Okay, laters!"
Enrique glanced at Yurusen, curious about the caller. "Who was it?" he inquired.
"Basara. He was wondering why we weren't at the complex, so I told him you were here practicing," Yurusen responded, relaying the message.
"Figures," Enrique scoffed, rolling his eyes as he shouldered his equipment.
"But hey," Yurusen interjected cheerfully, trying to uplift the atmosphere. "Look on the bright side! You've made more friends who are now your allies!"
"I suppose," Enrique replied, his tone slightly uncertain.
Yurusen couldn't resist teasing him further. "And let's not forget how that young reporter had the hots for you after the Robin Hood incident," he playfully hinted.
Enrique's cheeks flushed, a mixture of embarrassment and irritation. "Sh-Shut up! It wasn't like that!" he retorted, denying any romantic connection.
"Oh, really now~?" Yurusen taunted, his laughter echoing. "You know, the nurse would be jealous if she found out. Bwahahaha!"
Without warning, the phantom rider swiftly fired an arrow, effectively pinning Yurusen's scarf to a tree branch, leaving the spirit dangling helplessly.
"Allow me to remind you that your statement during that incident tempted me to snap you in two like a twig," Enrique warned, hissed.
The small spirit swallowed at the memory. The anger Enrique expressed when the spirit talked about the sacrifice of a human life for an Eyecon. It was a reminder to never make such explanations to him. Even Basara, Maria, and Mio witnessed what he did to the small spirit.
"I-I'll shut up now!"
"Good." He walked down the hillside causing Yurusen to flail left and right and yelled, "Hey, I'm still stuck here!"
"You're a ghost, let yourself out on your own!" Enrique called out.
"Oh right." Yurusen was such an idiot.
Enrique hopped on his bike, ready to head to school after gathering his belongings from the apartment. However, his thoughts were clouded with frustration, and he grumbled to himself throughout the entire drive. Why did Yurusen have to tease him about his personal life? The school nurse was merely a friend, nothing more. And as for Nozomi…
His train of thought abruptly halted as he stopped at a red light, memories of the reporter's unexpected kiss flooding his mind. Then, another memory surfaced—Chisato's kiss, particularly the one she bestowed upon him when inviting him to her place. "Why am I thinking about those things now?!" he groaned inwardly.
In frustration, he clenched his helmet tightly, resisting the urge to slam his head against the handlebars. The honking of a car behind him startled him back to reality, prompting him to accelerate once the light turned green. He needed to regain focus, pushing those distracting memories to the back of his mind.
As he approached the school grounds, Enrique slowed his bike down and parked it, removing his helmet with a sigh. It was then that he noticed Basara and his sister, who seemed to have taken notice of his distracted state.
"Oh, hey, you two," he greeted them, trying to maintain a semblance of normalcy.
"Morning, senpai," Mio acknowledged her upperclassman. "Is everything alright?"
The American elicited a sigh, his shoulders sagging. "Yeah, just got a lot on my mind."
Basara chimed in, his voice understanding. "Was it about Yurusen's statement a few days ago?"
Enrique winced. "Yeah, a little bit. I should apologize to both of you for appearing so bothered."
Basara raised his hand in a reassuring gesture. "It's alright, senpai. I can empathize with how you're feeling, especially after what Yurusen said."
To see a life be wasted away in exchange for a spiritual one was unacceptable. From what Basara had witnessed firsthand with Nozomi, it should never be thrown away. A life should be cherished.
As the trio approached the academy grounds, Basara couldn't help but inquire about the dark spirits. "Any updates on the dark spirits?" he asked, his voice tinged with concern.
Enrique shook his head. "No, there haven't been any signs of their activity or any leads on another Eyecon. If there were, you can bet Gramps would show up wearing clothes from a specific era."
Basara raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued but puzzled nonetheless. "Wait, he actually does that?"
"Ever since the Edison Eyecon," Enrique replied with a weary sigh, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "Believe me, one time he shot an arrow at my door when he wanted to give me a clue about the Robin Hood Eyecon."
Mio's eyes widened in disbelief. "Seriously?"
"Very much so," Enrique confirmed, a touch of exasperation in his voice. "Sometimes I wonder if I'm more mature than he is with all his eccentric actions. But despite his quirks, he always checks up on me, making sure I'm doing well and making progress."
Mio considered his words, her expression softening. "It sounds like he's become a part of your family."
"In a way, yeah," the phantom rider murmured. Yurusen and Gramps had been there for him for 13 years. Yurusen served as his steadfast lookout, while Sennin, the elderly mentor, granted him the means to fight against the Ganma. And then there was Mrs. Murasame, the kind landlady who had supported him throughout his two-year stay. In return, he worked part-time around the complex, receiving fair compensation for his efforts.
In their own unique ways, these individuals had become his support system, his makeshift family, guiding and uplifting him along his path.
"So in the meantime, since there aren't any clues to the next Eyecon, what do you usually do?" Naruse inquired.
"Train to continue honing my skills or work around the complex since it's my job." He earned a dumbfounded look from Naruse while Basara merely blinked. "What?"
"N-No offense senpai but… when was the last time you have done anything casual with others?"
"…" Now that his kouhai brought it up, he doesn't recall the last time he ever did something normal with friends. He never really had many friends as he was antisocial for the past two years aside from Mrs. Mursame who took care of him and Ms. Hasegawa who became somewhat of a benefactor to him regarding recovery of his wounds. "The last time… was a long time ago. I… never really went on any outings with others before since."
Enrique felt a pang of sadness as he admitted to his lack of social life. He had always been focused on his mission as a Kamen Rider and had never really taken the time to enjoy the company of others. He thought about how he had spent the past two years living in the apartment complex whereas Yurusen, Gramps, and Mrs. Murasame was akin to his caretakers. While they were like family to him, he realized that he had never really formed any close friendships outside of them.
He looked at Basara and Mio, who were both younger than him but seemed to have a lot of fun together. The young man sighed, scratching the back of his head to lighten up. I'll try to start doing more casual things with others," he said, his voice tinged sheepishly. "…Maybe it's time for me to step out of my comfort zone and experience new things."
Basara and Mio smiled at him, happy that their upperclassman was starting to open up to them. Mio suggested that they all go out for a meal together after school, and Basara agreed. Enrique felt a flicker of excitement in his chest as he realized that he was actually looking forward to spending time with his new friends.
It wouldn't be easy to break out of his shell, but he was willing to try.
Finally, the lunch period arrived after a few long hours of classes. Enrique's stomach growled loudly, reminding him of his ravenous hunger. He swiftly stowed away his books in his bag, making sure it was securely fastened over his shoulder for maximum comfort.
Just as he was about to head towards the cafeteria, his Cobraphone buzzed, alerting him to a new notification. Curiosity piqued, he unlocked his phone to read the message, which turned out to be from Nurse Hasegawa.
"Meet me in the infirmary."
Raising an eyebrow, Enrique pondered for a moment. He hadn't seen the school nurse since the Robin Hood incident, so perhaps this was an opportunity to catch up and address any lingering concerns. Intrigued, he decided to seize the chance and make his way towards the school infirmary.
Navigating the familiar halls, he approached the infirmary door and lightly knocked before gently sliding it open.
"May I enter?" he inquired politely, standing at the threshold.
"You can," came the nurse's response, granting him permission to step inside.
Enrique saw Chisato waiting for him in the infirmary. The nurse gave him permission to enter, but he couldn't help but feel a sense of confusion about the reason for his presence. Clearing his throat, he addressed her, trying to understand the purpose of this meeting.
"You wanted to see me again, Ms. Hasegawa?" he inquired, his voice tinged with curiosity.
"Yes, I wanted to talk to you," Chisato responded, taking a seat in her chair. "But it's not about what happened during the Robin Hood Eyecon hunt."
Enrique's brows furrowed in confusion. If not about the recent events, then what could she possibly want to discuss?
"Then… what did you want to talk about?" he asked, genuinely perplexed by her intention.
With a composed demeanor, the nurse began to speak. "I wanted to apologize for my advances two nights ago," she admitted, her tone sincere.
The Rider felt his cheeks flush at the memory of that encounter. It was a completely new experience for him, and he hadn't expected such a situation to unfold.
"I first thought you were knowledgeable about these kinds of things… and I didn't consider your feelings first and foremost," Chisato continued. "And for that, I apologize."
Enrique fidgeted awkwardly, his nerves getting the best of him. "I-It's alright," he stammered, attempting to reassure her. "N-Nothing happened between us at that time, so no harm done."
"Thank you," Chisato responded with gratitude.
Wondering if the apology concluded their conversation, Enrique sought clarification. "Is that all you wanted to talk about?"
The nurse's expression softened, and she revealed there was another matter she wished to discuss. She wore a warm smile as she made her request known.
"Actually, there is one more thing. I would like to make a request," she stated, capturing Enrique's curiosity.
Perplexed, he asked, "Huh? What kind of request?"
Chisato's smile remained as she leaned in closer to the student's face, causing him to instinctively take a step back.
"Would you be in a special relationship with me?" she proposed, her words hanging in the air and a smile curling her features.
Enrique's initial curiosity transformed into shock and surprise. His face turned a shade of crimson as he struggled to process the unexpected nature of her request. "Wha-What!? A-A relationship?!" The school nurse was asking him to be intimately involved with her?!
"Yes, but a different kind than you assume."
"W-What do you mean…?" This confused him. He assumed it was normal but it seems to be different.
"A relationship in the pleasurable sense." She clarified.
Stammering, Enrique tried to comprehend the situation. "B-But, why me?" he managed to inquire, his face growing even redder.
Rising from her chair, Chisato maintained her proximity, her eyes fixed on Enrique's. "Because I'm interested in you," she stated plainly. "Is that not enough?".
"U-Um…" The foreigner wasn't sure how to properly respond. Her request caught him off guard and it was unexpected. It had also put his mind into a brief state of confliction but he wasn't sure if it was negative or positive.
In the end, the Rider felt reluctant to accept the offer. If he accepts her request, they're gonna be at risk of getting into trouble if anyone were to find out. It was wrong between a teacher and student on school grounds, especially on a school day.
"I-I… I need time to think about it," he finally replied, his voice filled with uncertainty.
Understanding his hesitance, Chisato nodded in acceptance. However, before dismissing the foreigner, she remembered one last task she had to attend to.
"Oh, I almost forgot," she exclaimed, reaching into her pocket and retrieving a bandage. "May I see your wrist for a moment?"
The young man blinked but complied nonetheless. "Uh, sure." The Phantom Rider lifted his arm, allowing the nurse to roll the bandage over his wrist. He watched as she carefully applied the bandage to his wrist, wondering why she felt the need to do so. He hadn't sustained any recent injuries, so he could only assume it was a precautionary measure.
"There. Just remember not to remove it whatsoever from here on, okay?" Chisato instructed, her voice gentle as the wind.
Feeling a mix of confusion and compliance, Enrique nodded in acknowledgment. The school nurse concluded their encounter by gently patting his hand and a smile, allowing him to leave the infirmary with his thoughts swirling in his mind.
As Enrique lay on the school rooftop, his gaze fixed on the shifting clouds, his mind continued to dwell on his recent conversation with Chisato Hasegawa, the school nurse. The weight of their discussion lingered, and he couldn't shake off the thoughts that consumed him.
"Why is Ms. Hasegawa so interested in me… I'm just… a normal guy," he murmured, his voice barely a whisper. Just why did she make that offer to him? To a student like him no less? Why would she make a huge risk that would make her lose her reputation if they are caught? Reflecting on their interactions, he began to notice that the nurse had been showing interest in him since the Tutankhamun incident had ended. Beneath her advances, he sensed a genuine intention to get closer to him. Her kindness had brought a measure of solace to his troubled heart.
He lifted his arm, his gaze fixed on the bandage encircling his wrist. The simple act of wrapping it had been Chisato's doing, a reminder of her concern for his well-being. It was a gesture that held significance to him, and it made him pause to consider his next steps.
He needed time to think, to weigh the possibilities and consequences. Strange as it may be to admit, Chisato was the first person who had become aware of his activities against the Ganma. She had supported him during his times of recovery and had advised him to trust in others.
Chisato Hasegawa was someone he held complete trust in, the only other person who knew the truth about his battles and struggles. Closing his hand into a fist and then relaxing it, he allowed his arm to rest by his side, contemplating the path ahead.
He… just needs time to think it over. Taking a deep breath, the young man eased his nerves and stood up.
The Rider returned inside but paused mid step and looked over his shoulder. Seeing the vast openness of the rooftop, he couldn't help but shake this feeling of something watching him since then.
The American shook his head, dismissing the thought and resumed his walk. It was probably nothing to worry about. Right now, his hunt for the Eyecons mattered more than anything.
"Yurusen." A puff of smoke erupted, the spirit appearing before him. "Anything?"
"Nada. Zilch. Zero. No luck yet on anything nor did Sennin stop by the apartment." The ghost tugged the candy out of his mouth. "Honestly you should live up a little instead of asking me for any news of an Eyecon! Didn't you agree to join your two kouhais on having an evening hangout?"
"I did but-"
"'But' nothing buster! For now, enjoy this time to chill and have fun!" Enrique saw Yurusen got face to face with him. "Let this be a good time for you to act more like the teenager you are than a dude who is on the hunt and vengeful spree."
Those words felt like a knife to his heart. For Yurusen to even see him as that type of person and outright say it to his face was astonishing. It was a first but one that the spirit was painfully right about. Lowering his head, Enrique grumbled and elicited an exasperated sigh. "Fine. Fine, I'll listen." He conceded.
"Good!" Yurusen crossed his arms. "So no go calling for me for the rest of the day!"
The small spirit disappeared in a cloud of smoke.
With the ghost gone, Enrique grumbled to himself.
Yurusen can be a smartass at times.
When school finally ended for the day, Enrique waited for Mio and Basara by the school gates. He was abiding by the offer Mio made alongside listening to Yurusen's advice. To have an evening hanging out with his two kouhais. Checking the time on his Cobraphone, his peripheral vision caught heed of Mio and Basara.
"Thanks for waiting for us, senpai." Basara thanked.
"No problem." The Rider responded. "So… evening dinner right?"
"Hai." Mio peered over at her senior's motorcycle. "Senpai, will it be a good idea to leave your bike behind?"
"You won't have to worry about it being stolen." Enrique waved off as they walked. "People tried in the past but you'll be surprised with what it can do."
"Is it because it has its own will?" Basara recalled witnessing the bike show up on its own during the incident with the members of the Hero clan.
"Precisely. Thus no worries." He understood the question. He had several cases of Machine Hoodie being stolen but with the motorcycle having its own will, it would return to him within minutes or an hour give or take based on distance. As if it had a good experience making such escapes.
"At least that is a useful trait your bike has…"
The trio drew close to the restaurant and entered. They eventually took their seats and took their orders. "What of you two? Has everything been alright for you both?"
"Sorta but nothing bad, senpai." Though it was partly true. Basara had to save Mio from her power going out of control. Of course the situation was resolved. It was something their senpai didn't have to be concerned about.
"If you say so..." The trio saw their meals set for them, earning their thanks to the waiter.
It was awkward silence at first but Mio's gaze lingered on her upperclassman. "You aren't used to social outings like this aren't you, senpai?" She guessed.
Enrique shrank slightly in embarrassment. "… N-No." he admitted. "But… it's not an unwelcome thing."
His time with Ms. Murasame was an example. While he visited her home, he never went to other places. To go out with people he trusts was… a good thing.
Basara, sipping his drink, said, "Well, senpai, you're not alone. With your trust in us, it is more than enough to show it. We're here to remedy that, right, Mio?"
Mio smiled lightly, "That is right."
Looking down at his meal, the Rider's lips curled. "Perhaps you guys are right."
To not feel alone was… comforting.
A/N: With this, part 1 of the Zolgear arc is done and there is more to come for our protagonist. What will occur knowing that Zolgear is aware of what Specter is doing? What challenges await for the Rider? You guys will have to wait and see in the next chapter. Also don't forget to check out the newest poll in regards to a new story I have planned. Until then, see you all later!