**Chapter 5: Defeated**
Shen walked between the buildings.
**Kenya:** "Shen! What are you doing?"
**Shen:** "Ah! Who is Shen? When he took me, he died."
**Ruke:** "What!? Shen died?"
Kenya didn't say anything. Suddenly, he drew his sword and attacked.
Eliz and Ruke also joined the assault against Shen. Ultimate power surged from Shen's body as he cast a spell.
**Shen:** "Oh! Such vast power! I will bestow upon you the true power!"
Shen created a massive magical void.
**Shen:** "This void will mark your final day alive!"
**Kenya:** "Everyone, fall back!"
They all suffered injuries.
**Kenya:** "Alright, Shen! Your death ends here. That cursed sword is the only thing left in your body."
**Kenya:** "I will destroy you!"
Kenya awakened his fire demon form. His body became engulfed in flames, resembling a demon. He launched a fiery attack.
**Kenya:** "This is my fire blast!"
**Shen:** "Fine! I'll give it my all too!"
The two powers collided in a massive explosion.
**Flashback:**
**Shen:** "Hey, hello Kenya."
**Ruke:** "Ah! Who is Kenya?"
**Shen:** "Why are you looking at me like I'm Kenya?"
**Shen:** "Hey Ruke! Don't blame Ruke. I didn't hit you. Who are you?"
**Shen:** "What is this world? Where is Kenya? Kenya, where—"
Suddenly, a flash.
**Flashback ends.**
**Kenya:** "Shen!! Wake up!"
---**Chapter 6: Awakening**
The darkness clung to Shen like a second skin as the nightmare played out before him once more.
*"Ah... Rin..."* His own voice sounded distant, muffled by the suffocating weight of guilt.
A figure materialized from the shadows—pale, ethereal, her eyes burning with betrayal.
*"Shen!"* Rin's voice cut through him like a blade. *"Why didn't you save me?"*
*"S-Sorry, sister! I didn't expect—"*
*"You don't deserve to live in this world..."* Her whisper twisted into something venomous. *"Die... just die..."*
Shen's eyes flew open.
Cold sweat drenched his body, his heart hammering against his ribs as if trying to escape. The remnants of the dream clung to him, its fingers digging into his consciousness.
*"Whoa... what kind of nightmare was that...?"*
His vision swam, the world tilting as he struggled to remember where he was.
*"Where... am I...?"*
Then—clarity.
The cursed energy that had coiled around him shattered like glass. Kenya's blade, once aimed at his throat, was violently deflected. And before anyone could react—
*Thud.*
Shen crumpled to the ground.
*"Shen!"* Kenya's voice reached him from somewhere far away. *"Why did you—"*
Darkness swallowed him whole.
---
### **The Aftermath**
The sterile scent of antiseptic stung Shen's nose as consciousness slowly returned. White walls. The faint beep of machinery. A hospital?
*"You're at headquarters."*
Kenya's voice.
*"Commander! Shen's awake!"* Eliz's shout was followed by hurried footsteps.
Ruke's face appeared above him, eyes wide. *"What?! You actually woke up?"*
Shen blinked, disoriented. *"Who... me? Why is everyone... staring at me like that?"*
Eliz crossed her arms. *"You *destroyed* our headquarters."*
*"What?!"* Shen bolted upright—or tried to, before a sharp pain lanced through his skull. *"What the hell did I do?!"*
A fist connected with his head before he could process anything else.
*"GYAH—! What was that for, Commander?!"*
The Commander loomed over him, expression unreadable.
*"Why,"* he began, voice dangerously low, *"did you go and take that sword?"*
Shen swallowed hard. *"S-Sorry, Commander..."*
A beat of silence. Then—
*"No problem."* The Commander stepped back. *"Just don't do it again."*
*'Yes! I escaped punishment!'* Shen cheered internally.
*"One more thing."* The Commander's voice froze him in place. *"After you recover, you're cleaning up everything you destroyed."*
*"Oh, COME ON—!"*
---
### **A New Power Awakens**
Hours later, Shen found himself sweeping rubble under the setting sun, grumbling under his breath.
*"I never thought being cursed would end with me mopping floors..."*
Just as he tossed aside another chunk of debris, the Commander's voice rang out.
*"Shen! Get over here!"*
*"Y-Yes, Commander!"* Shen scrambled forward, dusting himself off. *"I finished cleaning!"*
*"Good."* The Commander crossed his arms. *"Now we can begin your training."*
Shen's eyes lit up. *"Yes! Finally, I can learn that code-breaking energy—"*
*"Who said anything about that?"*
*"Then... what?"*
The Commander's gaze sharpened. *"During your fight, I noticed something. Every time you wield that sword, your power surges beyond normal limits."*
Kenya perked up. *"Wait, wait! Then if Shen does it again, I want to try too!"*
Eliz frowned. *"But he *can't* take it. The cursed energy surrounding him is too unstable. What do we do?"*
The Commander's next words sent a chill down Shen's spine.
*"If that happens again..."* His hand rested on the hilt of his blade. *"...I'll kill him myself."*
*"WHAT?!"*
Before anyone could react, Shen lunged for the twin cursed blades—
---
### **The Darkness Responds**
A pulse of energy.
The world darkened, shadows writhing like living things as an eerie glow emanated from the swords.
*"Oh no!"* Kenya stumbled back. *"Shen failed!"*
But the Commander's eyes narrowed. *"No. Look."*
The inky darkness shifted, twisting—until it bled into a brilliant, sapphire light.
And there, standing at its center, was Shen.
The blades hummed in his grasp, their power coursing through him like a storm. A grin split his face.
*"This... this is amazing!"*
Dark energy wreathed his body, yet his eyes burned with unwavering resolve.
*"I... did it!"*
**To Be Continued...** Chapter 7: Hard Training**
**Commander:** "Alright, listen—if you're saying you'll defeat an Arcane, I'll accept it."
**Shen:** "What?!"
**Shen:** "Arcanes? Those things are incredibly powerful. How am I supposed to defeat them?"
**Commander:** "You can. That means you *will* do it. I'll give you one more offer."
**Commander:** "You can also join your friends and take down that Arcane together."
**Shen:** "Fine, I accept. Friends...?"
**Kenya:** "Okay."
**Eliz:** "Okay."
**Ruke:** "No."
**Shen:** "What?! No?!"
**Ruke:** "I'm not joining this fight."
**Shen:** "Why not?"
**Ruke:** "Because those Arcanes are too dangerous."
**Kenya:** "Relax, Shen. If he's not coming, it doesn't change anything for us."
**Kenya:** "Fighting fear is exactly what we're going to do."
**Ruke (angrily):** "Who said I'm not afraid?! Fine—I'll come too!"
**Shen:** "Kenya, mission accomplished?"
**Kenya:** "Yes."
**Ruke:** "So you two planned this from the start!"
**Shen:** "Alright, let's move out!"
**Episode End** Chapter 8 – The Four-Headed Arcane
**Arcane Awakening**
Shen's voice cut through the tension.
**"Alright, let's move out."**
The Commander's orders echoed in their minds: *Slay the Arcane.* But none of them could have anticipated the horror that awaited.
Shen, Kenya, Ruke, and Eliz stepped onto the battlefield, weapons gleaming under a blood-red sky.
---
**A Summoning Unleashed**
The ground trembled as dark magic erupted. Before them loomed a grotesque monstrosity—a four-headed Arcane, its maws dripping with malice.
**"What… is this?"** Shen's grip tightened on his sword.
**"What?! What kind of monster is this?"** Ruke staggered back.
Kenya's eyes narrowed. **"A four-headed Arcane!"**
A shadowy figure—the Arcane Drifter—hissed from the sidelines, **"Commander, this is no ordinary foe. Its power is beyond them!"**
The Commander's voice remained eerily calm. **"Their strength is matched… for now."**
Kenya turned to Shen. **"Plan?"**
**"We sever all four heads. At once."**
Eliz paled. **"Four? How?"**
Ruke swallowed hard. **"He's right."**
Shen's cursed blade hummed. **"We strike together—*now*."**
Fire erupted from Kenya's palms, lightning arced from Ruke's fists, and Eliz's magic tore through the air. Shen lunged, his sword carving through the central head in a single stroke.
**"Done!"** Shen panted.
**"We won!"** Kenya cheered.
But triumph dissolved into dread as another spell ignited—
---
**The True Battle Begins**
The earth split open, disgorging a horde of Red Goblins and stone-skinned Golems.
**"Commander?!"** Shen whirled around, but the Commander stood silent.
A fierce grin spread across Shen's face. **"Guess this is the real test."**
**"You've got to be joking!"** Kenya spat.
Eliz's hands shook. **"This isn't possible—"**
Ruke's voice dropped to a whisper. **"No… it's just beginning."**
Steel flashed, spells exploded, and the team fought like demons. The Goblins fell easily, but the Golems—
**"Kenya! With me—take down that Golem!"** Shen roared.
Kenya smirked. **"About time."**
As Shen and Kenya shattered the stone titan, Eliz and Ruke cleared the swarm. Minutes later, exhaustion crippled them.
**"I'm spent…"** Shen gasped.
**"Same…"** Kenya slumped.
Ruke and Eliz groaned in unison. **"No stamina left…"**
Then, the unthinkable—another four-headed Arcane materialized.
---
**The Commander's Lesson**
**"No way…"** Shen's heart sank.
**"Is this even a fight anymore?"** Kenya rasped.
But before the Arcane could strike, it erupted into ash. The Commander stood with outstretched hands, his power scorching the air.
**"Now you understand,"** he said, voice like gravel. **"This 'stamina' is why I trained you. All these days… wasted?"**
The team bowed their heads. **"Sorry, Commander."**
**"No. You've proven your strength."** His eyes gleamed. **"Tomorrow, real training begins. And you'll restart *basics*."**
Shen's exhaustion vanished. **"Hell yes!"**
Kenya, Eliz, and Ruke echoed, **"Bring it on!"**
The chapter closed as the Commander's laughter mingled with their renewedChapter 9: The Real Training**
**The Commander's Trial**
Shen's blade clashed against the Commander's, sparks flying with each strike. Sweat dripped from his brow, but his movements were sharper than ever.
**Kenya** (watching intently): *"Shen's strength has improved… a lot."*
**Ruke** (wide-eyed): *"Whoa! The Commander's energy is insane!"*
The others murmured in awe as Shen pushed the Commander back—until the Commander raised a hand.
**Commander**: *"Enough. Let's end this."*
A surge of energy blasted from his palm, sending Shen crashing to the ground. Defeated.
**Commander**: *"Next. Kenya."*
Shen staggered out of the training zone as Kenya stepped in, cracking her knuckles. Hours later, the grueling session finally ended.
**Shen** (panting): *"Damn… that was intense."*
**Kenya** (grinning): *"Yeah. But it felt good."*
**Ruke**: *"Next up—basic training."*
**Eliz** (nodding): *"Right…"*
Shen groaned. *"Their training's brutal."*
And so, day after day, they endured. Six months passed in a blur of sweat and steel—until one day, the Commander vanished.
---
### **The Commander's Disappearance**
A sudden message. A rushed departure. The Commander left for Perth—and never returned.
Weeks passed. Shen, Kenya, Ruke, and Eliz sat in the dining hall, unease gnawing at them.
**Shen**: *"Hey… has anyone seen the Commander lately?"*
**Kenya**: *"No. Not for days."*
Murmurs spread through the room like wildfire.
**Whispers**: *"He went to Perth… an Arcane disaster hit. The battle's still raging."*
**Shen** (eyes widening): *"What did they just say?"*
**Kenya** (grim): *"He's fighting. Alone."*
A spark ignited in Shen's eyes.
**Shen** (grinning): *"Then let's go help him!"*
**Kenya**: *"Are you insane?! We've seen those Arcanes—they're massive!"*
**Ruke**: *"We can't win."*
**Eliz**: *"She's right."*
But Shen's determination burned brighter. *"Come on, guys! We've trained for this!"*
Just then—
**Captain Luez** (leaning against the doorway): *"Planning a little trip, are we?"*
**Shen** (startled): *"Captain! Uh… don't tell anyone."*
The Captain smirked. *"If you want my silence… take me with you."*
---
### **The Midnight Escape**
That night, under the cover of darkness, the group gathered at the edge of the battleground.
**Captain Luez**: *"Alright, let's move. But first—any of you know how to ride a Revilsor?"*
Silence.
**Shen**: *"No."*
**Kenya**: *"Nope."*
**Eliz**: *"No idea."*
**Captain** (sighing): *"…Me neither."*
**Shen** (grinning): *"Captain, shouldn't you know *everything*?"*
**Captain** (dryly): *"If captains had all the answers, we'd never discover anything new."*
Then—
**Ruke** (raising a hand): *"I can ride one."*
**Shen** (pumping a fist): *"Ruke, you legend!"*
**Ruke**: *"But how do we *get* a Revilsor?"*
The Captain's smirk returned. *"Leave that to me."*
Minutes later, they stood before a sleek, armored vehicle.
**Shen** (grinning): *"Perfect. Let's roll!"*
---
### **The Road to Perth**
Ruke revved the engine, and the Revilsor roared to life. Dawn approached as they raced across the wasteland—
—only for the ground to *split open* beneath them.
A monstrous Arcane erupted from the earth.
**Ruke** (swerving): *"OH COME ON!"*
**Kenya**: *"What the hell is that?!"*
**Eliz**: *"Another Arcane?!"*
**Shen** (eyes blazing): *"I'll handle it!"*
In a flash, his blade was out. He moved like lightning—striking before the others could blink.
**Ruke** (stunned): *"What *was* that?!"*
**Kenya** (smirking): *"That's what six months of training looks like."*
Ruke's fear melted into resolve. *"Then I'm fighting too!"*
**Kenya**: *"Wait, where are you—?!"*
But Ruke was already leaping out. *"You drive!"*
**Kenya** (panicked): *"I DON'T KNOW HOW!"*
The Revilsor careened wildly as Shen and Ruke battled the Arcane.
**Shen**: *"Why'd you follow me?!"*
**Ruke**: *"You're getting stronger. I won't be left behind!"*
Just as Kenya nearly plunged into a crater—Ruke lunged back inside, slamming the brakes.
**Kenya** (panting): *"Where's the Arcane?"*
**Shen** (wiping his blade): *"Dead."*
But the Captain's voice cut through their relief.
**Captain** (tense): *"Then… what are *those*?"*
Dozens of armored figures loomed on the horizon—**Arcane Knights**, their weapons gleaming.
And in the distance, a familiar figure stood amidst the carnage.
**Commander** (cutting down knights with ease): *"Pathetic. But this *general*…"*
His gaze locked onto a towering shadow—**the Arcane General**.
---
### **Episode End**