[Somewhere in An Undisclosed Location]
Hawthorne coughed violently, blood splattering the cold concrete beneath him. His chest heaved with every breath, ribs sore and cracked. He could barely lift his head, one eye swollen shut.
"You know... it doesn't have to get to this point, Hawthorne."
A man's voice cut through the silence, calm and almost disappointed. He stepped forward, shoes echoing against the hard floor. His silhouette loomed just outside the flickering light.
"We've been doing this for three damn months! And you still won't budge!"
The man's voice cracked with frustration, echoing off the damp walls.
Then—silence.
A beat passed.
He let out a low snicker.
"Haha... rhymes."
He seemed almost amused with himself, as if the brutality of it all had dulled into routine.
"N-No!" he choked out.
The man's smile faded. His eyes narrowed.
A sickening crack echoed through the room as another punch slammed into Hawthorne's jaw, jerking his head sideways.
Hawthorne slumped, barely holding consciousness. He forced the words out, each syllable scraping against pain.
"E-Everyone... will... know this."
"The public... will... know this,"
Hawthorne muttered, his voice cracking under the weight of blood and defiance.
The man clicked his tongue.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk, tsk..."
He shook his head slowly, as if disappointed by a child who should've known better.
"Just a few days ago,"
He began, his tone shifting to something eerily calm,
"We had a breakthrough."
He picked up a thin folder from the table beside him and casually flipped through the pages, each turn precise, practiced.
"Successful duplication of memories... through rats."
He paused, letting the words settle.
"Ah... interesting."
Hawthorne's eyes widened in horror.
"That's a bluff," he rasped, his voice cracking.
The man's smile slowly returned, curling at the corners with quiet amusement.
"Heh?~"
He leaned in slightly, flipping another page with dramatic flair.
"Apparently... the process works by dissecting the brain directly... and then—"
"No! No! Just kill me!"
Hawthorne cried out, panic exploding from his chest.
"—and then..."
The man continued, unbothered,
"the brain will be—"
"No! No!"
Hawthorne shouted, voice breaking again and again, as if each denial could rewind time.
The man tilted his head.
"Hoh? What's happened to the strong core?"
He smirked.
"Hawthorne-san?"
The man crouched beside Hawthorne, voice laced with mock sympathy.
"Three whole months of beatings... you get patched up by our nurses, just to be torn apart all over again..."
He let out a breathy chuckle.
"Twenty-five finger nails removed from your body."
He held up his hand as if counting them off for fun.
"Yet a simple experiment..."
He leaned in close, whispering now,
"...and you go gaboosh?"
He flicked his fingers near Hawthorne's forehead, mimicking a brain popping.
"Tsk. You disappoint me, Hawthorne-san."
Behind the reinforced glass, Hachi stood in silence. His expression unreadable. But his eyes—cold and focused—locked onto Hawthorne's. He didn't blink.
Inside the room, the man leaned down, breath hot against Hawthorne's ear.
"Hawthorne-san..."
He whispered, almost tenderly.
"Tell us the truth... and your sins will be forgiven."
He paused, letting the silence curl around his final words like smoke.
"The sin of defying the Seven Angels..."
Hawthorne trembled. Not from pain—but from something deeper. His bloodied fingers twitched against the restraints.
From behind the glass, Hachi didn't move. The glass reflecting his face.
[Nagasaki]
Itoshi sat silently, eyes fixed on the glass as the car weaved through the tight alleys and sloping buildings of Nagasaki. The city blurred past in streaks of neon and rain.
"The location where the showed up is pretty remote. No need to worry about hiding Itoshi."
Bjorne reported.
Ryujin noted,
"Ok, copy that. Thank you, Bjorne-san."
From the back seat, Itoshi let out a slow, fluttering blow through his lips—"Pffft..."—clearly unimpressed or simply bored.
Ryujin glanced over his shoulder, caught the expression, and sighed deeply.
He facepalmed.
The SUV came to a smooth halt, tires crunching softly against the gravel shoulder.
"Okay, the Seele are moving slowly—once again, coming in from Ōmura Bay."
Miss Gigi informed.
Kirashi leaned in to the window, enthusiasm filling his eyes.
"A golf course?.. Seriously?"
Ayro chuckled.
"Heh. Guess they came to play."
The doors swung open with a mechanical clunk, and the four boys stepped out into the humid Nagasaki air. A light mist rolled across the distant greens of the abandoned golf course.
Ryujin tapped his comms, eyes scanning the horizon.
"We're in position. Moving to intercept. Keep us updated, Gigi."
"Mostly Earth-types—Meson class. They're clustered in the west side of the course."
There was a brief pause as her scanners recalibrated.
"Southern edge has Flame-types, Megalo class... heavier, slower. And—"
her voice tightened slightly,
"—north of the golf course... one Wind-type. Titav class. Solo."
The comms went quiet for a beat as the weight of that last detail settled in.
A lone Titav. Not something to take lightly.
Itoshi's smile slowly grew, a glint of mischief lighting up his eyes.
Ryujin caught it and gave him a gentle bonk on the head.
"Don't you dare," he warned, half amused, half serious.
Itoshi's brow furrowed in mock frustration as he scratched the back of his head.
No words came out—just a sheepish grin.
"Okay, we'll go as usual. Kirashi, you take the center of the course. Ryujin, south. Itoshi, north—but Ayro do not engage yet."
"Eh?"
"If that kunoichi shows up, you're the one to handle her."
She shot a sharp look at Ayro, who nodded reluctantly.
"Squad, got my orders clear?"
All of them answered with a firm nod or murmured confirmation—everyone except Itoshi.
He stayed silent, eyes fixed on the distant tree line.
Ryujin quickly defeated the flame type seele's, he quickly tapped his ears, calling for Itoshi.
"Okay, I'm done. Itoshi, come."
Ryujin ordered.
Itoshi sprang to his feet and took off, sprinting toward the golf course without hesitation.
Ayro let out a long sigh.
"This ain't gonna be good."
"Almost done here, too."
Kirashi spoke through the comms.
Ryujin and Itoshi rushed north, meeting each other mid-stride on the golf course.
"I'll make an opening for you, Itoshi."
But Itoshi didn't answer. His eyes were locked ahead, focused and silent.
"Oi! Itoshi!"
Ryujin shouted, snapping him back.
"Ah... okay, sorry 'bout that,"
Itoshi replied, shaking his head as if clearing a fog.
"I..."
Itoshi thought to himself.
"Don't put your emotions into this. I know it's frustrating right now, but don't put us—or yourself—in danger."
"Yeah, I got it,"
Itoshi said quietly, nodding.
"I lied..."
Itoshi's thoughts continued.
Ryujin locked his sights on the Titav—the massive Wind-type Seele snarling with a cruel smile as it slowly turned toward them.
Suddenly, a second SUV rolled up, kicking up dust.
Kara jumped out swiftly, her boots pounding against the earth as she climbed the hill.
She reached a tall fence and scanned the area, eyes sharp.
Then she spotted Itoshi in the distance.
Without hesitation, she dashed toward the gate—but was stopped by UWDS personnel.
"Ma'am, it's not safe."
"Let me in!"
Kara pushed.
"This area is off limits!"
But even with the Personnel's resistance, Kara pressed.
"I'm part of the squad too!"
A voice cut through the tension.
"Kara-san."
It was Miss Gigi.
Kara froze and slowly turned, eyes dropping to the pavement.
"They're fighting a Titav class. This isn't a joke. Do not break their battle out there."
Kara gripped the edge of her skirt, teeth clenched tight, frustration simmering just beneath the surface.
Ryujin and Itoshi faced the snarling Seele, the towering Titav-class looming like a storm ready to break.
Itoshi fought recklessly—every strike wild and fierce, fueled by frustration that threatened to consume him. Ryujin said nothing, holding back, trying to stay steady.
There were moments when Itoshi's attacks nearly set Ryujin ablaze, his fury almost turning their teamwork into chaos.
But Ryujin wasn't just battling the Titav. He was fighting Itoshi's storm within.
"I can't reach him..."
His eyes hardened.
"Gonna finish this job first."
A brief lull settled over the battlefield as the three combatants paused—Itoshi gasping for breath, sweat and grime streaking his face.
"Oi! Itoshi!"
Ryujin shouted, trying to pull him back.
But Itoshi didn't listen. Without hesitation, he lunged forward, launching himself at the beast again.
"Shit,"
Ryujin muttered, flames flickering to life at his feet and coiling around his arms. He blasted a series of fiery strikes toward the Seele.
Itoshi's eyes burned with fierce determination.
"Damn it! This guy takes a lot!" he yelled, voice raw.
Ryujin kept pace, eyes locked on every wild move, ready to back him up—or pull him out if needed.
"It has a seal..."
He tapped his comms urgently.
"We need Kirashi here. Now."
A crackle responded almost immediately.
"Negative, He still has a bit to handle, Seele's requires huge potent wind."
Miss Gigi reported.
Her eyes flicked over to Kara, standing tensely nearby.
Itoshi fought on, driven by pure frustration.
"Damn it, damn it! Just die already!" he shouted, voice cracking with desperation.
"At this rate... he's gonna burn out before we break the seal."
Without hesitation, Ryujin summoned a rush of water, pushing Itoshi back from the Seele with firm force.
"Itoshi! This thing has a seal!"
Ryujin yelled.
"What the hell?!"
Itoshi snapped, breath heavy.
"We need wind to break it"
Ryujin explained urgently, eyes sharp.
"Screw that! Fire beats wind!"
Itoshi roared.
Back in the SUV, Kara sat silently behind Miss Gigi, her eyes fixed on the comms screen but her mind elsewhere.
"She won't come."
"Hoh? And how are you so sure?"
Miss Gigi challenged.
Kara hesitated, then said quietly,
"She's... busy."
Miss Gigi let out a short, dry scoff, crossing her arms.
"Tch. Some priorities."
"Miss Gigi, I'm done. Coming for the seal now."
Kirashi reported through the comms.
"Okay. Rush on."
"OK!"
Kirashi exhaled sharply, then summoned a burst of wind beneath his feet. It wasn't perfect—still rough compared to her technique—but it was faster than running. And right now, speed mattered.
Back on the field, Ryujin stood in front of Itoshi, who sat on the ground, chest rising and falling rapidly.
"Itoshi. Kirashi's coming. Save your flame."
Itoshi didn't answer. He looked away, eyes burning—not with power now, but frustration. He clicked his tongue in defiance.
Ryujin's voice dropped, more serious than usual.
"I'll delay this big guy. Stay here."
He stepped forward, planting his feet. With one smooth motion, he drew his spear and rushed the Titav-class Seele. Splashes flew as water meets wind—but the Seele's slow movements gave Ryujin the edge. For now.
Wind surged through the field as Kirashi came into view, gliding just above the ground on sharp bursts of air.
His landing was clumsy, a hard skid that kicked up grass and dust—but he was fast, and he didn't stop.
"Where's the mark?!"
"Back of the neck!"
Ryujin answered.
Kirashi nodded once. With a sharp inhale, he channeled wind through his limbs, darting toward the Seele like a blade. The creature snarled and turned—but too late.
"Got it!"
Kirashi shouted, his palm slicing clean across the seal.
For a brief second, the field went still. The air felt... wrong.
Then the Titav screamed—a deep, guttural roar that shook the ground beneath them. Its body convulsed, wind lashing wildly in every direction.
"Shit—he's gone berserk!"
Ryujin hushed.
The creature's eyes glowed brighter, its movements no longer sluggish. Now fast. Wild. Deadly.
"The seal was suppressing this?!"
Kirashi stumbled back, barely avoiding a sweeping claw of compressed wind.
"Everyone, brace yourselves! Itoshi—get ready!"
Ryujin ordered.
Itoshi, still seated, clenched his fists. The flame sparked back to life in his eyes.
The wind howled.
The Titav-class Seele's body twisted unnaturally as its form surged with unstable power. Its glowing eyes snapped from Ryujin to Kirashi, then locked onto Itoshi like prey. The ground vibrated beneath their feet as gales of compressed wind erupted around the monster.
"Kirashi! Pull back!"
Kirashi barely dodged a sudden blast that split the ground behind him, tumbling mid-air before catching himself with a gust.
"I'm trying! It's fast—!"
The creature roared, launching itself forward with unnatural speed, wind tearing up the golf course.
Its claw slammed down where Itoshi had been just seconds ago—he rolled aside, flames bursting from his palms as he scrambled upright.
"Tch—NOW we're fighting for real!"
He fired a stream of fire directly at the Seele's midsection, but it twisted with an unnatural glide, the flames tearing past harmlessly. The creature countered with a slicing gust that threw Itoshi off his feet and into a sand trap.
"Itoshi!"
Ryujin rushed forward, spear blazing with steam as he clashed with the Seele.
The creature's claw met his weapon with a shockwave of force, knocking Ryujin back several feet—but he dug in, water shielding him just enough to recover.
"We've gotta break it down! One part at a time!"
Kirashi suggested.
"Focus on the legs! We ground it, we slow it!"
Ryujin ordered.
Kirashi nodded and unleashed a focused lance of wind—sharp and narrow—cutting into the Seele's left thigh.
The monster shrieked and retaliated, hurling a cyclone that lifted debris, grass, and dirt into the air.
Flames exploded from the cyclone—Itoshi had jumped in mid-spin, fists blazing.
"YOU WANNA MOVE FAST—TRY ME!"
He crashed down like a meteor, his flame punch slamming into the Seele's back. The creature stumbled, screeching, wind sputtering out violently around it.
"Keep going! Don't give it space!"
Ryujin shouts.
The three moved in perfect, chaotic sync—wind, water, and fire clashing against the raw violence of the Seele.
Every strike was a gamble. Every breath felt like it could be their last.
"Rraagghh!! Goddammit!! How can this one use wind?!"
Kirashi's voice cracked with strain as he tried to keep the wind under control, his arms trembling.
Flames raged. Gales whipped. Water surged.
The three elements clashed violently, but slowly—finally—the Seele began to falter. Its body flickered, cracks forming across its hide as Itoshi's flame ate through its form like rot consuming flesh.
The wind around it shattered into dying screams. Water hissed as it steamed off its skin. It was ending.
The Seele let out one last echoing shriek before bursting into scattered ash, its body vaporized mid-air by the searing intensity of Itoshi's fire.
The three stood there, panting. Silence returned.
One by one, they let go of their elements—Kirashi's wind collapsed, and he nearly dropped to his knees.
"Hahh... hahh... I'm done, man..."
Ryujin stood tall, only slightly winded, his spear slowly cooling.
But Itoshi...
He knelt on the scorched earth, fists clenched.
"Die... die... die..."
He muttered, over and over, punching the ground where the Seele had faded.
Flames still flickered from his knuckles.
Then—
"DAMN IT!!"
His voice tore through the empty field as he slammed both fists into the dirt, fire erupting in a final burst.
Ash scattered into the wind.
The fight was over—but inside Itoshi, the battle was still raging.
~~~To be Continued~~~