Chapter 7 – The Journey to Shinya
The morning haze clung to the edges of Kuba like a fragile veil, softening the sharp angles of broken buildings and splintered crates. Moro's footsteps echoed against the empty streets, his blue-glowing aura faint but steady, pulsing in rhythm with the Matrix within him. Kaya moved beside him, the water in her veins whispering faintly as if echoing her own heartbeat. Together, they left the ruins behind, but the memory of the Asura twins' overwhelming power lingered, haunting their steps.
"This is just the beginning," Moro muttered, voice low. "They'll come after us again, and Scaro won't let this go."
Kaya's eyes narrowed. "Good. Let them. We'll be ready next time. But first… Shinya. We need Aiyan, and we need answers."
Moro nodded. Shinya was their next destination—a remote kingdom ruled by the Celtic Highs, men who manipulated faith to enslave their people. But for Moro, it wasn't just another city to traverse. It was another step closer to finding his father, another step toward understanding the truth of the Matrix and the forces shaping the world.
The journey began on foot, through the outskirts of Kuba, skirting the remnants of destroyed marketplaces and twisted metal. The forest edge appeared ahead: the Kiwiki Forest, infamous for its deadly predators and unpredictable terrain. No vehicle could pass through safely—the forest's dense canopy interfered with tech, the shadows alive with hidden dangers. Only foot travel would suffice.
The air grew thicker as they entered the forest. Moss-covered trees rose like silent sentinels, their twisted roots forming natural barricades that made the path treacherous. Each step demanded caution. Even the faintest rustle could herald a predator—or a deadly trap set by someone hunting them.
Moro's senses tingled. The Matrix within him thrummed, alert, anticipating danger. He adjusted his stance, scanning the undergrowth. Kaya followed suit, water flowing subtly around her hands, ready to strike if needed.
Suddenly, movement—swift, almost invisible—darted between the trees. A low growl accompanied it.
Moro froze. His heart raced. His eyes narrowed.
The Wolf Hunter stepped from the shadows, a predator in human form. His aura radiated the animal spirit of the wolf, senses heightened, speed unmatched. Every muscle in his body coiled like a spring ready to strike. He had been tracking Moro long before the boy reached Kuba, and now he had him cornered in the forest's heart.
"You're far from home, boy," the Wolf Hunter's voice rumbled, low and menacing. "This path you tread… it ends here."
Moro tightened his fists. The Matrix shimmered faintly across his skin. He glanced at Kaya, who stood poised, water swirling around her like liquid steel. Together, they faced the hunter, their combined aura of determination and power radiating against the forest shadows.
Without warning, the Wolf Hunter lunged. Moro reacted instinctively, the Matrix amplifying his reflexes. He sidestepped, narrowly avoiding the hunter's clawed strike. Kaya unleashed a jet of water, forcing him back, but he was faster, almost too fast to track. The trees shuddered under their clash, leaves raining down like shards of glass.
"You're strong," Moro muttered, adrenaline sharpening his instincts. "But not strong enough."
The Wolf Hunter snarled, eyes glowing faintly in the dim light. "We'll see."
The battle raged on, each strike echoing through the forest. Moro's Matrix pulsed with every movement, enhancing his speed, strength, and resilience. Kaya's water attacks intertwined with his movements, providing cover and countering the hunter's relentless assaults.
For a moment, it seemed like the Wolf Hunter might overwhelm them. His instincts, his agility, were unmatched. But Moro's Matrix glowed brighter, reacting to his determination. He remembered his father's lessons, the drills, the countless hours of training. He let the Matrix guide him, anticipating the hunter's next move.
A swift, fluid motion—Moro sidestepped a strike, using the hunter's momentum against him. Kaya's water surged, creating a temporary barrier that slowed the Wolf Hunter. Moro's fist, imbued with the Matrix's energy, connected solidly with the hunter's chest. A roar echoed, and the predator stumbled, giving them a narrow opening to escape deeper into the forest.
They didn't pause. Every second counted. Moro and Kaya pushed forward, branches scraping their skin, roots tangling their feet, but the Matrix propelled them onward, glowing faintly with every heartbeat.
Hours passed. The forest began to thin, giving way to rolling hills that marked the outskirts of Shinya. Smoke curled from distant chimneys, faint hints of a civilization under strict control. The oppressive aura of the Celtic Highs lingered in the air, subtle but unmistakable.
Moro exhaled sharply, sweat dripping from his brow. "We made it… but this is just the beginning," he said, scanning the horizon.
Kaya nodded, water dripping from her arms, eyes fierce. "Shinya… a kingdom built on lies. On oppression. If we want answers, this is where we'll find them."
The sun dipped lower, casting long shadows across the fields. In the distance, a tower rose above the city—a massive church, the Holy Sanctuary of Shinya, its spires cutting into the sky like the fingers of a tyrant. Moro's gaze hardened. That would be their first point of investigation.
And somewhere within the city's guarded walls, plans were already in motion. Erick Hawks, an advanced agent of CD9, had been dispatched to Shinya. His shadow-like abilities made him nearly invisible, a hunter tracking Moro and Kaya from afar.
But for now, the boy with the Matrix and his ally paused at the city's edge, feeling the weight of what lay ahead. The forest behind them had tested their limits. Shinya ahead would test them even further.
A faint shimmer of energy pulsed beneath Moro's skin, the Matrix responding to the tension in the air. He knew the Wolf Hunter wasn't far behind, and Erick Hawks was watching from the shadows. Yet, a sense of resolve filled him. Every step forward brought him closer to his father, closer to the truth, closer to unlocking the full potential of the Matrix.
"Ready?" Moro asked, turning to Kaya.
"Always," she replied.
Together, they stepped into Shinya, leaving the remnants of Kuba behind, unaware that their journey had just begun—and that the real hunt was about to start.
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