Explosions of lightning and fire shook the entire palace. The grand ballroom had turned into a burning battlefield. The guests, who were just enjoying the party a few minutes ago, were now screaming and running in every direction, trying to escape the chaos.
Guests (panicking):
"Run!!!"
"This isn't what we came for!"
"They're using Vakin powers! We'll die if we stay!!!"
In the middle of the chaos, Ann was leaping over overturned tables, dodging flying debris. She landed beside Akira, who was still chained. When she looked at him, she saw he was quietly crying. His red eyes were filled with tears. Gone was the confident, cocky expression she had seen before. Now, he looked like someone who couldn't handle what was happening.
Ann (crossing her arms):
"Wow. I didn't expect you to cry this fast… I thought you were tougher."
Akira (raising his head, voice hoarse but still with a bit of pride):
"Huh? I'm not crying. My eyes just… got irritated from the smoke. Yeah, it's just the dust."
Ann (taking a small knife from her belt):
"Whatever. I'm freeing you."
She started cutting through the chains quickly. Akira just watched her silently, still trying to process everything.
Akira (light chuckle, voice shaky):
"Oh, what a rare sight… A pretty girl freeing me. Does that mean you've fallen for me?"
Ann (raising an eyebrow and continuing without looking at him):
"Keep dreaming. I've only known you for a day, and all I've seen is that you're loud, full of yourself, and a pervert. Also, I only like Ken-san."
Akira (smiling despite the tears):
"Ouch… But seriously, why are you freeing me? Didn't you say you don't trust me?"
Ann:
"I don't. But this situation doesn't give me the luxury to leave you tied up. We've got a crazy vampire trying to kill everyone. And… Akio wants to save you, so I won't argue with him."
Akira (quickly wiping his face):
"Heh… I think I like your style more than I thought."
Finally, the chains dropped to the ground with a loud clang. Akira looked at his hands, not believing he was free again.
Akira (deep breath, stretching):
"Ohhh, this feels so good."
Ann (arms crossed, unimpressed):
"So what now? Gonna stand there like an idiot, or are you going to help us? Akio's risking his life for you."
As soon as he stood up, Akira's body shook hard. The effects of the blood-based Vakin that Terrakula used on him were still there. He hadn't fully recovered.
Akira (dropping to one knee, clutching his chest):
"Ugh… damn it…"
Ann watched him, not sure what was wrong, but he looked worse than she expected.
Ann (grumbling):
"What now? Don't tell me you're allergic to air too?"
Akira (forced smirk through the pain):
"Heh… no. My body's just not listening right now. I need a minute."
Realizing he couldn't stand alone, Ann sighed, then leaned down and threw his arm over her shoulder.
Ann:
"You're heavier than you look."
Akira (grinning, trying to joke):
"Oh? So you're into my body now?"
Ann (tightening her grip):
"Nope. Just means I'll drop you if you don't shut up."
Despite the pain, Akira let out a small laugh. This girl… she was different from anyone else. Honest, bold, and not afraid to speak her mind. He finally stood, still feeling dizzy. He felt a sting in his chest—not just pain, but something deeper. Did he deserve this? Did he really deserve people risking their lives for him?
Akira (soft whisper to himself):
"You guys are insane…"
Ann pulled a small glowing orange vial from her bag.
Ann (handing it to him):
"Drink this. It'll bring your strength back fast."
Akira (taking the vial, raising an eyebrow):
"Heh… I didn't know you carried magic potions. Are you a ninja or a pharmacist?"
Ann (crossing her arms):
"No time for jokes. It's a Leonite Elixir. It'll cleanse your blood and help your energy flow normally again."
Akira hesitated, but he had no better choice. He opened it and took a large gulp. His body shook, then he felt something shift. His blood flowed naturally again. After a minute, his breathing steadied and he stood on his own.
Akira (smiling, looking at his hand):
"Thanks, Ann-chan… I feel alive again."
Meanwhile, in the middle of the chaos, Ken and Nyoro stood a few meters apart. They hadn't started fighting yet, but the tension between them was thick. Ken stared at Nyoro with cold eyes, while Nyoro just smiled, clearly enjoying himself.
Nyoro (dramatically raising his hands):
"Oh, Yukaji Ken… I'm so happy to meet you face to face. I always wondered what the boy who defied King Cirrus looks like up close."
Ken (calm voice):
"And who are you?"
Nyoro (laughs):
"How could someone from the Yukaji family not know me? Let me introduce myself. I'm Falkhart Nyoro, your cousin. I'm half Yukaji."
Ken's eyes widened slightly. He hadn't expected that.
Ken (serious tone):
"You… from the family?"
Nyoro (grinning):
"Yup. Only half, thanks to my dear dad. He only had the Ice Vakin. But me…"
He raised his right hand. A strange power appeared—a mix of fire and ice. Ken watched closely, surprised. He had never seen anything like it.
Nyoro (admiring the power in his hand):
"See? I'm very special. My Vakin isn't like others. It's a rare mix of fire and ice."
He snapped his fingers, releasing heat and freezing energy at the same time. The ground below him froze, while flames swirled around him.
Ken (calm but interested):
"A double Vakin… interesting."
Nyoro (winking):
"Oh, trust me. It's not just cool—it's deadly."
In a flash, Nyoro threw a cold flame at Ken! It glowed bright blue. Ken dodged easily, but where the fire hit, it instantly froze everything.
Nyoro:
"Nice reflexes. Expected from Yukaji Akako's son."
As smoke rose from the frozen pillars, Ken stood firm, staring at the icy scorch marks. The temperature around them wavered strangely.
Ken:
"You're controlling the air itself… interesting."
Nyoro:
"You could say that. I can cool the air to freezing or heat it to burning. Basically, I control the climate around me. Fits my mood."
Nyoro then sent a freezing blast straight at Ken. The air hardened around him, freezing his fingers—but Ken quickly released a wave of fire, melting the ice.
Nyoro stomped the ground. A wave of cold rushed at Ken, freezing the floor—then exploded into blue flames! Ken jumped back, using his sword to block the explosion. His eyes stayed locked on Nyoro.
Ken (narrowing his eyes):
"You said you're my cousin… I never heard of you."
Nyoro (smiling):
"Huh? No one told you about Aunt Amisa? Guess your family doesn't talk about the past much."
Ken:
"Amisa? That her name?"
Nyoro (laughing):
"Yep. Yukaji Amisa. Your father Akako's sister. My mom. She ran away from Cirrus's palace a long time ago. She didn't believe in all the war and bloodshed he forced on the family. She vanished, just like your dad did."
Ken didn't hesitate. Blood-related or not, Nyoro stood in his way. He gripped his sword tightly and sent a wave of intense fire toward him.
Nyoro (calm, raising his hand):
"Nice move, but it won't work."
Before the fire hit, Nyoro launched frozen fire to block it. The collision created a massive shockwave, sending Ken flying back.
Ken (regaining balance, eyes sharp):
"You're playing with fire and ice at once. Annoying."
Nyoro (light chuckle):
"Oh, totally! But I'm used to it. It's actually kinda fun."
Ken (sharp voice):
"If you're really half Yukaji, why are you working with Terrakula? Why follow a vampire?"
Nyoro (quietly):
"Because I've always felt like an outcast… I was born with only one Vakin. My dad had ice, my mom had weak fire, and my brothers were born with both. Me? I couldn't even control my power at first."
He raised his hand again and formed a glowing frozen fireball.
Nyoro (softly):
"But after years of trial and pain… I learned. I mastered it. Thanks to someone who showed me how to unlock my true power."
Ken (raising an eyebrow):
"A certain person? You mean… Terrakula?"
Nyoro:
"That's right. Terrakula-sama helped me a lot. She helped Akira, Steve, and me. That's why you might notice Akira fights a bit like her. As for me, she taught me how to control my Vakin better. I owe her everything."
Ken calmly lit his cigarette, placed it between his lips, and slowly blew out smoke while staring at Nyoro with his cold gray eyes.
Ken:
"So, you think she helped you… and that you owe her your whole life? Hah… you're such a fool."
Nyoro (eyes narrowing, still smiling):
"Huh? What do you mean? Do you have a problem with Terrakula-sama?"
Ken (smirking, flicking ash aside):
"Nyoro, you're blind to the truth. You really think she cares about you?"
Nyoro (getting a little angry):
"Trying to shake my trust in her? It won't work!"
Ken (taking another puff and blowing smoke toward him):
"I've seen people like you before. People who think they're special to their master… but when they're no longer useful? They get thrown away."
Nyoro (laughing):
"Nice words, Ken, but they mean nothing. I was lost. I didn't belong anywhere in my family. But Terrakula gave me power… she gave me more than anyone ever did."
Ken (serious, low voice):
"Power? Or just a fantasy?"
Nyoro (grinning, tapping his head):
"Oh, Ken, don't try your mind tricks with me. They won't work. I know exactly what I'm doing."
Ken (crushing his cigarette in the ashtray beside him):
"Weather boy… you're even dumber than I thought."
Suddenly, fire exploded from Ken's body, and the temperature in the room shot up! With no warning, Ken launched forward at terrifying speed, his flaming sword blazing like hell itself.
Nyoro (eyes wide):
"Oh? Lost your temper already?"
But there was no time to joke—Ken was already right in front of him!
Ken (shouting angrily as he struck with his sword):
"Let me show you what real power looks like, you idiot!"
Ken's flaming blade flew toward Nyoro's chest. Nyoro barely had time to raise his hand and form an ice shield.
CRACK!!
The ice shield shattered instantly from the fire's pressure!
Nyoro (shocked, trying to jump back):
"What?!"
No time to think. Ken slashed again—
SLASH!!
He landed a hit on Nyoro's shoulder! The cut wasn't deep, but it burned like fire. Nyoro's eyes widened from the pain.
Nyoro (holding his shoulder, laughing despite the pain):
"Hah… so your sword really does burn!"
Ken (eyes sharp and blazing):
"Nyoro, you talk like you know everything. But you're just another puppet in Terrakula's hands."
Nyoro (with a dangerous smile, raising his glowing hand):
"Then let me show you… I'm no puppet. I'm the one who'll burn your bones and freeze them 'til they break!"
Ken (tightening his grip):
"Try me."
In a flash, their real fight began.
On the other side, Akio was trying to stand, his body covered in wounds. He was in pain but refused to fall.
Akio (gritting his teeth, smiling faintly):
"You're not ending this party so easily, Terrakula. I'm not leaving until I cut you to pieces and take that cursed sword from you!"
Terrakula (smiling confidently, resting her hand on her hip):
"A party? Oh dear… this is just the beginning."
Suddenly, she noticed something across the room—Ann had freed Akira from his chains!
Terrakula (eyes narrowing, muttering):
"That annoying girl…"
She saw Akira standing next to Ann, having just finished drinking the Leonite Elixir. He was slowly regaining his strength. But Terrakula wasn't worried—she had another plan.
She slowly turned toward Steve, who still stood frozen in place. His eyes were blank, completely under Terrakula's control.
Terrakula (soft but commanding):
"Steve… it's time. Go take care of them."
Steve didn't move at first. Then his body started to shake… and suddenly, he exploded with energy and vanished from sight!
In the next instant, he appeared right in front of Ann, throwing a deadly punch at her face!
Ann (wide-eyed, raising her arms):
"What the—?! Where did he come from?!"
BAM!!
Ann blocked the hit with her own punch. Steve was fighting like a machine—no hesitation, no emotion… just blind obedience.
BOOM!!
Ann used karate. Steve's style was more like aggressive boxing, filled with brutal punches and kicks. He wasn't in control. He was a tool.
BAM! BAM!
Their fists clashed midair. Steve gave her no time to breathe. He spun and aimed a powerful side kick meant to break ribs, but Ann barely dodged with a quick twist!
Ann (sarcastic, after dodging):
"Seriously? Can't even say a word? This is boring."
Meanwhile, Akira looked from Akio to Terrakula, who watched everything with amusement.
Akira (closing his eyes, taking a breath, then opening them with determination):
"Damn it… now's not the time to hold back."
He clenched his fists and moved toward Akio.
Akira (firmly):
"Listen, idiot… I'm not gonna sit here and let you fight this crazy vampire alone."
Akio (laughing slightly, eyes on Terrakula):
"Alright then… let's end this night the way we should."
Terrakula (grinning):
"Oh my… such noisy boys. Fine then, show me what you've got."
While Ann fought Steve in a brutal hand-to-hand battle, Akio and Akira stood side by side, ready to face Terrakula.
Steve rushed at Ann again. Before she could react, he punched her hard in the stomach!
BAM!!
Ann flew back, gasping in pain. But she didn't give up. She raised one hand, the other near her waist… she wasn't just using karate anymore—she was switching to ninjutsu.
Ann (challenging smile):
"Okay then… let's see if you can keep up with this, silent boy."
She vanished—and reappeared behind him, kicking the side of his head!
Then another kick to his back!
Steve stumbled, turned, and tried to attack again—but she was faster. She leaped up and hit his chin with a spinning kick! He crashed to the ground, but… he got up again, like nothing happened.
Ann (frowning, stepping back):
"That's… not normal."
Even though he was bruised and injured, Steve showed no pain—like he wasn't even in his body.
BOOM! BAM!!
The fight grew more intense. They traded quick and powerful blows. It wasn't just a fight anymore—it was a battle between someone losing control of himself… and someone trying to bring him back.
Ann moved fast, combining karate and ninjutsu. She began to realize Steve was not fully aware—but he was starting to wake up.
BAM!!
She kicked high toward his head, but Steve blocked.
Steve (low voice, as if talking to himself):
"What… is this? Why… me?"
Ann (raising an eyebrow, preparing to strike again):
"Huh? Are you finally coming back to your senses? Great. I was getting bored fighting a puppet."
Steve didn't answer. He dashed at her like lightning, his fist heading straight for her!
BOOM!!
He disappeared—then appeared in front of her with a punch to her side! She couldn't dodge in time.
CRACK!!
She felt her ribs break. The pain was blinding. Her body flew through the air and slammed to the ground. Her eyes widened in shock. She clutched her ribs. Breathing became painful.
She looked up slowly. Steve stood over her… but this time, his eyes seemed like they were struggling against something.
Ann (laughing weakly through the pain, whispering):
"What a joke… How can I become the best ninja like this?"
She couldn't move quickly. The fractures were too much. Steve walked toward her, cold and quiet. He had decided to end it.
Ann (struggling to move):
"Damn… I have to move… or else…"
Steve (cold, emotionless voice):
"I'll end it now."
He raised his foot for the final blow.
But Ann… she wasn't done yet.
Ann (soft but determined):
"No… not yet…"
She reached into her pouch… and pulled out a forbidden ninja scroll! She knew the technique inside wasn't fully mastered—but she had no choice.
Ann (eyes glowing, staring at the scroll):
"I either win… or die here."
Without hesitation, she opened the scroll—and began reciting the forbidden spell:
"Forbidden Ninja Art… Shadow Embodiment Technique!"
The air around her shifted. A strange pressure surged from her body. A mysterious power surged through her cells!
To be continued…