Chapter 7: Shadows of Power
In the dense jungle, a boy and a girl raced across an open field, their footsteps pounding against the earth. The girl's grip on the boy's hand was iron-tight, urging him through the suffocating darkness, her breath sharp with urgency.
"Keep going!" the girl shouted, her voice cutting through the night.
"I can't!" the boy gasped, his voice quivering. "I'm too tired! I'm done!"
"No time to stop!" she snapped, eyes scanning the shadows behind them. "They're close! Run!"
But the boy's knee struck a small rock, pain shooting through his leg. He crumpled to the ground, clutching his knee, unable to stand. The girl halted, unharmed, her face taut with worry as she knelt beside him. "My knee's messed up," the boy groaned, his voice weak. "Go, save yourself. I'll handle them."
The girl's eyes flashed with resolve. "Don't be dumb. You're too weak to fight those thugs. Get up."
The boy shook his head, his voice breaking. "Just go! I'm useless, a coward, always hiding behind you. You're always saving me, and I never do anything. I'm pathetic, always scared. Please, leave me and run!"
"Shut up," the girl said, her tone unwavering, "and get on my shoulder. We'll run together."
Before she could pull him up, heavy boots crunched nearby. A gang of thugs surrounded them, their cruel smirks glinting in the starlight. "No more running," their leader growled. "You're trapped."
The girl rose, stepping in front of the boy, her fists clenched. "Stay back."
The leader's laugh was venomous. "You killed our men, girl. Slaughtered them. You think we'll let you walk?"
"It wasn't my fault!" she shot back, her voice steady. "They harassed me, wouldn't stop when I begged. I fought to protect us, but I didn't mean to kill them. They were too weak."
"Shut it!" the leader barked, waving his men forward. "Grab her!"
The thugs charged, but the girl summoned her earth powers, her hands slicing through the air. Sharp rocks erupted from the ground, hurtling at her attackers. The thugs, stronger than she expected, smashed through her stones with brute force. "Your tricks are nothing," one sneered. She raised towering stone pillars, but they shattered those too, closing in relentlessly.
Desperate, the girl conjured a massive earthen wall around herself and the boy, sealing them inside but leaving the thugs outside. Within the dim enclosure, her breath was ragged. "This won't hold long," she whispered. "I'll distract them. You run."
"No!" the boy protested. "I'm helping you!"
"You're not strong enough," she said sharply. "You can't fight. Just go!"
Their words were drowned out as the thugs pounded the wall, cracks spiderwebbing across it. The barrier collapsed, and they seized the girl, pinning her arms. "Got you," the leader sneered, landing two brutal punches to her stomach. She gasped, pain searing through her, but her eyes burned with defiance.
The boy, cowering behind a nearby tree, cried out, "Let her go! Please, let her go!" His voice trembled, barely audible over the thugs' mocking laughter.
"This weakling?" a thug scoffed. "He's nothing. We'll finish her, then deal with you."
The girl's voice wavered but held firm. "Do whatever you want to me. I won't fight back. But let him go. I'm begging you."
The leader's eyes gleamed with malice. "Huh, tempting. Alright, kid, you're free. Run."
He shoved the boy back. "Get lost, weakling!"
The girl's tears brimmed as she nodded. "Go! Run!"
The thugs closed in, their hands reaching for her with vile intent. Her eyes squeezed shut, tears streaming down her cheeks as she braced for the worst.
From his hiding spot, the boy watched, his heart shattering at her tears. Rage surged within him, and he let out a primal scream that shook the jungle. A violent wind roared, trees swaying wildly, and lightning cracked across the sky, turning night to day. A massive bolt struck him, his body engulfed in electric light. His black hair turned stark white, sparks dancing across his skin, his hair floating in the charged air. His aura was overwhelming, a storm of raw power radiating danger, his eyes glowing with newfound resolve.
The girl, bruised but unbroken, managed a faint smile. "I knew you had it in you. They're done for."
The boy's trembling voice was gone, replaced by a cold, commanding tone. "Let her go. All of you. Now."
The thugs laughed, unfazed. "What, you got some fancy sparks and think you're tough, kid?"
He didn't bother replying. In a blink, he was among them, his fist slamming into the leader's chest, sending him hurtling through the trees with a sickening crunch. The others froze, stunned by his speed. His piercing glare made them release the girl, but they rallied, charging with reckless fury. He moved like a storm, his strikes swift and devastating, leaving them sprawled in the dirt within seconds.
The remaining thugs tried to flee, their confidence shattered. His power was relentless, catching them one by one, his fists a blur of lightning-charged fury. The girl's voice cut through the chaos. "Stop! Let them go!"
He halted, his chest heaving, and strode to her. "Yui, you okay?"
She nodded, brushing dirt from her torn clothes. "I'm fine, Tatsu."
He scooped her into his arms, ignoring her protests. "You're hurt. I'm carrying you."
"I can walk!" Yui insisted, squirming in his grip.
"Your ankle's messed up," Tatsu said firmly. "I've got you."
Unseen in the shadows, a pair of pink eyes glinted, watching their every move with unsettling intensity.
Back at their small, weathered home, Tatsu set Yui on a creaky chair. "Sit. I'm fixing your wounds."
"I can handle it," Yui said, rolling her eyes.
"No need," Tatsu said, his voice cool and confident. "I'm doing it."
As he carefully bandaged her scrapes, Yui's thoughts wandered. "He's so different like this—so bold, so badass, meeting my eyes without flinching. But when this form fades, he's back to that shy, awkward kid who can barely talk to me. He's adorable either way."
Minutes later, Tatsu's power faded, his white hair returning to black. He slumped forward, collapsing into a deep, exhausted sleep. Yui sighed, a fond smile tugging at her lips. "Every time he uses that form, he's out cold for hours. Typical." She gently lifted him, her own injuries aching, and tucked him into bed with care.
The night settled over the quiet house, heavy with unanswered questions, as the jungle outside whispered its secrets.
Some Time Ago
The morning sun bathed the academy in golden light as Yunna stepped out, her backpack slung over one shoulder. She squinted at the sky, a determined glint in her eyes. "Alright, I'm ready," she said to herself. "Time to hit the road again and find my team members. But… where do I even start? Let's try this way."
Yunna wandered all day, her boots kicking up dust on endless paths, but found no one who fit her team's needs. By dusk, her aimless trekking led her into a dense jungle. Night fell, cloaking the trees in shadow. She sighed, exasperated. "Great, it's dark, and I'm in a jungle again. Why do I always end up in jungles? No hotel tonight—out of cash. Guess I'll camp here and figure out tomorrow."
She lit a small fire, its crackle her only company, and settled down. Suddenly, the distant sound of a scuffle broke the silence—shouts, the clash of blows. Curious, Yunna crept toward the noise. In a clearing, she saw a group of thugs harassing a boy and a girl, their backs against a tree as they fought to hold their ground.
Yunna's eyes locked on the girl, who wielded earth magic with fierce precision, hurling rocks and raising stone barriers. She's strong, Yunna thought, her mind racing. Could she join my team? But the thugs overwhelmed the girl, pinning her down and landing brutal punches. Yunna tensed, ready to intervene, when the air shifted.
Lightning cracked, splitting the sky with blinding force. The boy, who'd been cowering, transformed. His hair turned stark white, his body crackling with electric power. He moved like a storm, tearing through the thugs with terrifying speed, sending them sprawling in moments.
Yunna's jaw dropped. "These two are insanely powerful," she whispered, a sly smile spreading across her face. "Looks like I just found two new team members." Her eyes gleamed as she watched them, already trailing their steps into the night.
Present Time
Morning light crept into a small, weathered house. Yui sprawled across her bed, snoring softly, limbs tangled in the sheets. Tatsu nudged her gently. "Yui, wake up! It's morning. Come on, get up."
Yui groaned, half-asleep. "Please, just a bit more sleep. Please?"
"No way, it's late," Tatsu said, unfazed. "Breakfast is ready."
The word "breakfast" snapped Yui awake. She bolted upright, rubbing her eyes, and shuffled to the bathroom to freshen up. Emerging, she plopped down at the table and asked, "What's for breakfast today?"
Tatsu shrugged. "Same as yesterday."
Yui pouted. "What? Again? Why not something new?"
"We're out of stuff," Tatsu said, scratching his head. "No ingredients, no money. What am I supposed to make?"
Yui sprang to her feet, grinning. "Let's eat at a hotel today!"
Tatsu blinked. "A hotel? We're broke, Yui."
She smirked, pulling out a wad of cash. "Look at all this money."
Tatsu's eyes widened. "Where'd you get that?"
Yui leaned in, mischievous. "Last night, when you were fighting those thugs, their money fell out. So I picked it up."
Tatsu gasped. "You stole it? We're turning this in to the police!"
Yui waved him off. "Stole? No way, it was just lying there. Those guys were thugs, not saints. Forget it, let's hit the hotel."
She grabbed his hand, dragging him out the door. They'd barely walked a few steps when Yunna appeared in front of them, blocking their path. Her hair was a mess, her eyes bloodshot from a sleepless night of stalking them. She looked like a zombie, and Yui and Tatsu froze, unnerved.
"Who are you?" Yui demanded, stepping back. "Why're you in our way?" She tried to sidestep, but Yunna blocked them again, staring intensely.
Tatsu whispered, "This is weird." They bolted, trying to ignore her, but Yunna followed, dogging their every step through the streets.
Yui spun around, furious. "Hey, crazy girl! Why're you following us? What do you want? Leave us alone!"
Yunna grabbed Yui's hand, her eyes shining with hope. "Will you join my team? Please?"
Yui yanked her hand free, startled. "Crazy girl, what are you doing?"
Yunna pressed on, undeterred. "Will you join my team? Let's talk about it."
Yui paused, considering. "Fine, let's talk. At the hotel."
Yunna blinked. "Hotel? Where are you going?"
Yui pointed to a massive, gleaming hotel nearby. "There. To talk." Yunna hesitated, eyeing the fancy building. Is this a good idea? she thought, but shrugged. "Alright, let's go."
Tatsu opened his mouth to protest, but Yui cut him off. "No need to worry. She's been following us forever, so she must want something important. We were going to eat anyway, so let's hit a nice hotel. She's paying. I'll handle it."
Yunna nodded. "Fine, let's go."
The trio entered the hotel, settling at a polished table. Yunna started to speak, but Yui held up a hand. "Hold on, let's order first. Then we'll talk."
Yunna agreed. "Okay, sure." They called the waiter, placing their orders. As Yui dug into her food, she said, "Alright, start talking. What do you want from us?"
Yunna leaned forward, earnest. "I'm a student at a big academy. There's a huge tournament coming up, with teams from tons of academies competing. I'm in it, but I need a team. That's why I'm asking—will you join me?"
Yui barely listened, focused on her meal. Yunna pressed on. "There are big prizes. The winners get tons of money, and their greatest wish granted. You'd get a share."
At the word "money," Yui froze, fork mid-air. "Wait, what? The winners get tons of money?"
Yunna caught the spark in Yui's eyes, sensing her weakness. She leaned in, dramatic. "Oh, yes, tons of money. You could eat at fancy hotels like this every day, buy anything you want. All you have to do is join my team. It's five members, so you won't carry the load alone. If we win, you get rich. Think about it—a golden chance."
Tatsu tried to interrupt, but Yui cut him off, slamming her hand on the table. "Deal! I'm in. When do we start?"
Yunna blinked, stunned. "What? That was… easy. You're in?" Her shock melted into glee, her heart racing. She agreed so fast!
Tatsu sighed, thinking, Yui's done for. She hears 'money' and loses her mind.
Yui stood, already heading for the door. "Tell me where to go. Let's move."
Yunna called after her, "Wait! You don't even know where we're going! Let me lead!"
The waiter approached, holding a bill. "Ma'am, your check."
Yunna took it, her eyes widening at the total. "This much?" she muttered, cursing the hotel in her mind. Gritting her teeth, she paid, draining her wallet. A small sacrifice, she thought. But I got my team member. My team's almost complete.
She caught up to Yui and Tatsu, her voice firm. "Alright, let's head to the academy."
For now, the story pauses here. Yunna has her team, but can they work together? What adventures await, and will they triumph in the tournament? Will their bond hold, or will they clash? To find out, wait for the next chapter.