Chapter#10: “The Title Of ‘Beast’!”…

Previously On Unknown: Five years ago, Yuji, a determined boy, confronted a menacing man in the junkyard. Their battle, both in words and powers, ended with Yuji's fiery magic triumphing over the man's earth-shaking attacks, showcasing Yuji's unwavering commitment to a better world.

(Continuing)

The man, introducing himself as Daiki, lowered his head. Yuji, surprised by this turn, uttered, "Huh…"

Daiki spoke with conviction, "You don't need to convince me. Our battle spoke for itself. Though I'm among the 50% without much magic, I promise to be an invaluable asset to your quest."

Continuing with his pledge, Daiki declared, "So, Yuji… As an Ex-Military Commander I, Daiki, will serve you to my last breath. I see in you a man who can change the world."

He concluded with a show of loyalty, "From now on, I'll bestow upon you a title I once held. The Title Of Beast." Daiki sat cross-legged on the ground, bowing before Yuji as a sign of his commitment.

Yuji, clearly moved, expressed his gratitude. "Beast, huh? Thank you." He smiled warmly.

Declaring Daiki's new role, Yuji continued, "From now on, you, Ex-Military Commander Daiki, shall be my loyal follower and comrade. You shall be known as Commander Daiki Of Yuji's Henchmen."

As the flashback concluded, Daiki's eyes slowly closed, and he whispered his final words, "Thank you… For everything."

Matsumoto, his heart heavy with the weight of their encounter and with both hands on his walking stick, paid his respects to the fallen commander. "You were a good man," he murmured.

Matsumoto continued, "Even when you realized that you were going to die, you didn't back down," he acknowledged. "But you should know that in every conflict, each side has its reasons to win. There is no absolute good or bad side. It's either you're on this one or the other."

Matsumoto shifted his gaze to the unconscious boy he held. "I chose these brats' side," he declared, his tone resolute.

Turning his gaze back to the deceased commander, Matsumoto continued, "So that means you, Yuji, and all his other associates… Are My Enemies." His declaration hung heavy in the air.

"Just wait a little longer!!" a voice echoed, and Matsumoto grinned. "That must be Hisashi. Little brat."

Then, as if he were struck with lightning, a sudden thought crossed Matsumoto's mind. "Yeah, I almost forgot. He was using manki before…" He reflected, staring at the deceased commander with his left hand on his chin and his other on his walking stick.

"I still can't understand how he could use manki. But that's not the main issue, what's really confusing is that he used 'Lion's' manki which is impossible because of so many reasons. Not only that but, when he activated the manki I immediately sensed that his power didn't increase much; it only went up around 1.5 times…" Matsumoto mused.

With that, Matsumoto disappeared into thin air, still pondering the mysteries behind Commander Daiki's manki, as he left behind the lifeless form of the commander as the battlefield fell into an eerie silence.

*On The Second Floor Of the Gomi Palace, Just A Few Moments Ago…*

A mysterious voice reverberated through the eerie room, its source shrouded in obscurity. The room itself defied logic, its appearance ever-changing as if reality itself were in flux.

"What's the matter, Akishima? Not feeling up for a little action?" The enigmatic voice taunted Akishima, who sat on the floor, his arms and legs crossed with his head down, bearing fresh scratches from some prior encounter.

The voice's amusement escalated into manic laughter. "Ah, you truly are something, sitting there like a statue," it cackled, frustration lacing its tone. "We've been here for a good half-hour or more, and I even conjured up a few of my playful, low-level wind attacks just to see if I could get a rise out of you."

The voice's irritation seeped through as it continued, "But no, you're just lounging there, arms crossed, legs crossed, doing absolutely nothing." The room seemed to grow tense as it waited for Akishima's response.

"Like I've said countless times already," Akishima objected.

"Here we go again." the voice sighed, as he was expecting Akishima to say something.

"I won't be attacking you, because you're not the person I came here for, my friends will take care of you when they arrive." Both Akishima and the voice declared. The voice mocked Akishima, expecting him to say that.

"I've heard that like the hundredth time now, and I have yet to see anyone," the voice exclaimed, frustrated. "The only reason why you're not dead yet is because I was given clear orders to keep you alive." The voice explained further.

"Oh really…" Akishima objected as he raised his head which revealed his determined eyes. His gaze was fixed in a certain direction.

"Huh…" the voice was confused.

"You think you've got the power to defeat me," Akishima exclaimed, as he then put on a slight smirk "You're pretty funny but you see, this isn't a circus, so don't go playing the clown." Akishima scoffs, his smirk widening into a cheeky grin as he continues to stare in the same direction.

The voice feeling disrespected, exclaimed, "What did you just-" his frustration building up, his anger and irritation apparent in high a voice. He was cut short.

"-You're nothing more than an insect who should be groveling before my feet," Akishima continues.

"Agh, agh, grrr…" You can hear the voice getting angrier and angrier as the seconds pass.

"You hide in the shadows because you are aware of your weakness, you're aware that I'm-" Akishima was cut short.

"-That's the final straw! I'll kill you!!" the voice shouts, as you can hear the veins of anger popping up on his skin with every word Akishima spoke. He leaps towards Akishima from the darkness, in a pit of rage. With a dagger, made out of concentrated wind, in his hand.

"That's enough!" A voice declares, from another side of the room. There was a silhouette of a person that seemed to be of the same gender. There was a cigarette in this person's mouth that emitted a faint light followed by smoke as the man exhaled.

The other voice who was about to attack Akishima stopped, for he knew whose voice that was. The wind dagger he had in his hand was at Akishima's neck.

"Tsukikage, you were given a strict and clear order not to kill the enemy," the voice starts, talking to the other voice who was about to attack Akishima, who we now know as Tsukikage.

Tsukikakge had black eyes and medium-long black hair that had a spiky ponytail with a few bangs. He was wearing thin fabric, tight, bland, tinted purple clothing with a scarf around his neck. Even though the clothes were thin their durability was no joke.

The other voice continued by saying, "Yet I sensed a killing intent when you were gonna attack him." glaring at Tsukikage with greyish eyes, with a tint of purple, that pierced through the darkness as he took another smoke out of his cigarette.

"Shiden, I-I can-" Tsukikage tried to defend himself; calling the person covered in an eerie darkness by his name, 'Shiden'; but he was cut short.

"-No, no need to find excuses. What has been done has been done." Shiden exclaimed as he began to walk slowly toward Akishima and Tsukikage whilst exhaling smoke from his mouth and nose.

As he was walking, he continued by saying, "You should just be glad that you're still alive." every step he took felt commanding and unwavering.

Tsukikage, realizing that Shiden was talking to Akishima, explained to Akishima. "Yeah, you should. If it wasn't for Shiden you would have been dead." a cheeky smirk on his face as he explains. Looking down at Akishima.

(To Be Continued)