The city had begun to whisper about her. The mysterious warrior in gleaming turquoise and pink armor who appeared in the nick of time. Some said she was a spirit, others a government weapon.
But Hitomi knew the truth. She was just herself—someone who cooked rice bowls in the morning and risked her life at night.
---
Far away, deep underground, in a cavern illuminated by blood-red torches, a dark figure sat upon a jagged throne. His armor was darker than midnight, decorated with spikes like a crown of thorns. His name was Dargoth, Commander of the Abyss.
A kneeling soldier, one of the surviving minions, bowed before him. "My lord… the girl in emerald armor destroyed another hunting squad."
Dargoth's crimson eyes glowed with fury. "A girl? You mean… a Rider."
The minion trembled. "Yes… she called herself Kamen Rider Hitomi."
For a moment, silence filled the chamber. Then Dargoth stood, his voice echoing with venom.
"So the Riders still dare to exist. Very well. If she wishes to defy me, then I shall test her resolve. Send forth Gargaron, the blade-beast. Let's see how long her courage lasts."
---
Back in the city, Hitomi worked alongside Aya and Ren to clear the restaurant rubble.
Ren sighed, dusting off his sleeves. "This place… it'll need new windows, new furniture, maybe even a new roof."
Hitomi forced a chuckle. "Don't remind me."
Aya placed a hand on her shoulder. "We'll help, Hitomi. You don't have to do this alone."
Hitomi smiled gratefully, but her thoughts were heavy. If more monsters appear… how can I balance both lives?
---
Her worries proved true that very evening. As the city lights flickered on, the ground trembled violently. From the shadows emerged a massive monster—Gargaron.
Unlike the smaller beasts, this one was armored like a knight, its body covered in jagged blades. Each step sent sparks skittering across the ground.
Civilians screamed and scattered. Gargaron raised its clawed arm, slicing clean through a street pole.
Hitomi clenched her fists. "Not again… No one else gets hurt tonight!"
She strapped on her belt and raised the coin.
"Henshin!"
Emerald light engulfed her once more, and Kamen Rider Hitomi stood tall.
---
The monster's crimson eyes narrowed. "So you are the Rider… Dargoth will be pleased when your body is broken at his feet."
Hitomi raised her sword, tightening her stance. "Tell him he'll be disappointed."
They clashed. Sparks erupted as blade met blade, her emerald sword against Gargaron's jagged claws. The monster swung with crushing strength, forcing her back against a shattered wall.
"Too strong…" she gasped, barely blocking another strike. Her arms shook under the weight of the blow.
The monster laughed. "You are nothing but a child playing hero!"
But Hitomi gritted her teeth, standing firm. "No… I'm someone who refuses to give up!"
She dodged a deadly swipe and countered with a slash across the beast's chest. Sparks flew, but Gargaron barely flinched.
Think, Hitomi… his armor's too strong. There has to be a weakness.
---
The fight dragged on, pushing Hitomi to her limit. Gargaron swung again, cutting a gash into the pavement. Hitomi rolled aside, her chest heaving.
Memories of Aya and Ren working at her restaurant flashed in her mind. The customers she fed. The promise she made to protect them.
Her eyes hardened. "I can't lose. Not to you. Not to anyone!"
She raised her sword high, channeling energy into the blade. The weapon glowed with emerald flames. She struck with all her might, slashing Gargaron's arm, finally piercing through its armor.
The monster howled, stumbling back.
---
Hitomi pressed her hand to her belt. Energy surged into her leg, brighter and fiercer than before.
"This ends now!"
She sprinted forward, leaping into the air. The city lights reflected off her armor as emerald fire blazed around her foot.
"Rider Kick!"
She smashed into Gargaron's chest with explosive force. A blinding burst of emerald and pink energy erupted, engulfing the monster. Gargaron shrieked before shattering into fragments of black ash that scattered into the wind.
The street fell silent once again.
---
Far below, in his cavernous throne room, Dargoth watched through a pool of dark energy. His eyes narrowed as Hitomi's Rider Kick destroyed Gargaron.
"So… this 'Kamen Rider Hitomi' is no ordinary pest. Interesting."
His clawed hand clenched the arm of his throne.
"Then I shall meet her myself one day. And when that day comes, Rider… you will know despair."
---
Hitomi landed, armor fading as exhaustion washed over her. She looked at the terrified but safe civilians gathering again.
One of them whispered, "She saved us… again."
Hitomi looked down at her trembling hand. Despite her fatigue, her determination was stronger than ever.
"My name is Kamen Rider Hitomi," she murmured. "And I'll keep fighting… no matter how strong they get."
She walked off into the neon-lit night, knowing Dargoth's eyes were already on her.