She was a B-Rank Hero, wielder of the Seika Voice Command, and one of the strongest in the region. Beating her wouldn't be easy.
That woman… even for me, this won't be simple, Ryusei thought as their auras collided, pressure shaking the air.
With a flick of his hand, floating rocks rose and shot toward Shizuka. She dodged each one, closing the distance in a blur.
Tch—she's fast!
Ryusei quickly combined wind and flame, swirling them into a burning blast and hurling it forward with violent force. But just before it hit—
"Voice Command—FIRST STATE: STOP!"
The flames froze in mid-air.
Shizuka dashed through them and slammed her fist into Ryusei's stomach.
"Ugh—! You bastard!" he spat, sliding backwards. They traded blows—her punch to his face, his counter blocked flawlessly, her kick sending him stumbling.
"Who do you think taught you how to fight?" she said sharply.
Ryusei's eyes flared. Wind and fire erupted around him in a flaming tornado that blasted her backward.
Shizuka shielded her face. "I wasn't expecting that…"
"How annoying… mother. But no matter."
"How did you learn about the Tenshinkai? And why are you after it?" she demanded.
Ryusei smirked.
"Oh? So you finally want to know. Yes… the thing you're thinking is true."
Her eyes widened.
"It can't be… The Tenshinkai exists only to destroy the holder of the Shinkai. And you—YOU have multiple Seikas… that's impossible. Only the Shinkai could—"
"That's right." His grin twisted.
"The villain the heroes fought two centuries ago… still lives."
"What…?!"
At that moment, the three masked figures reappeared—fully recovered—and charged her simultaneously.
"Let's see how strong you really are, mother!" Ryusei taunted.
One launched a volley of conjured swords. Shizuka dodged—but a second figure teleported behind her, striking her back, then reappeared in front and smashed his fist into her gut, sending her crashing into rubble.
"Teleportation… I didn't expect that," she hissed. "I never learned your Seikas—I caught you off guard last time."
"And you'll pay for that, woman!" the figure shouted.
Heat exploded violently. Ryusei blasted flames forward, not caring that his allies were in the way.
Shizuka reacted instantly.
"Voice Command—FIRST STATE: STOOOP!"
The flames scattered apart. She dashed straight for Ryusei.
"So you're coming to ME," he taunted.
"You're my obstacle—and I have to take you alive," she said, leaping forward—
But telekinesis froze her mid-step.
She shattered it.
"Voice Command—THIRD STATE: CANCEL!"
The binding vanished—but before she reached him, a fist slammed into her face with inhuman strength, sending her flying into a wall.
"What was that?!" she gasped.
One of the masked figures appeared instantly in front of her, punching her stomach with crushing force. She coughed blood but retaliated—sweeping his legs, kicking his neck, pushing him back.
But then—
"Any attack that hits me," the figure said calmly, "I can multiply its power… and return it twice as strong."
He punched her again. She crashed into the ground, reeling from the sudden power spike.
"Is that so?" she growled.
"Voice Command—SECOND STATE: KNEEL!"
The figure dropped to his knees against his will.
"H-Hey—what is this—?!"
Before he recovered—BAM! Her knee smashed his face, then a solid punch knocked him out cold.
"How's that?"
Another figure roared, but before he could reach her, Ryusei appeared in front of Shizuka, tossing the downed ally aside like trash.
"He's fast… no—he's using wind to boost his speed," she realized.
Ryusei raised a flaming fist.
Telekinesis grabbed her again—this time tighter. She couldn't move.
His burning fist smashed into her jaw, wind exploding behind it, launching her violently.
"Mother… how disappointing. I thought you were strong, but you're just weak."
Shizuka struggled to stand. Blood poured down her face. Her right arm hung useless—broken.
That hit… I can't withstand another. If I keep fighting, I'll lose consciousness. Where are the other heroes? If I fall, he'll take my daughter… and kill us both…
"What's wrong, mother? Give up. I might let you live if you crawl."
"What kind of hero do you think I am… Ryusei?" she whispered.
But before she could move—
SPLASH!
A blade pierced her from behind.
One masked figure had created a sword and stabbed her, while the teleportation user stood behind him.
Shizuka gasped in agony, falling to her knees.
"No… my body—my breathing… what do I do…?" she whispered shakily.
Ryusei walked to her, placing his foot on her head and pressing it into the ground.
"Hahahaha! It's over, mother. The Tenshinkai will be mine."
The last masked figure dragged his little sister forward.
"Now… for what I came for."
"No—please… stop, Ryusei! STOP before it's too late!" Shizuka cried—but he pressed harder, making her scream.
"SHUT UP! YOU KNOW NOTHING! NOTHING!"
— nozami's pov —
At a distance… I stood frozen.
Not weak—just terrified.
If my mother… one of the strongest heroes… couldn't beat them…
Then what chance did someone like me have?
My hands shook. My knees buckled.
"What do I do…? I can't beat them… Mother… my sister… they'll die…"
I fell to the ground, trembling.
"Why… why am I this weak?"
My vision blurred—until a heartbeat thundered inside my chest.
BOOM—BOOM—BOOM—
A burning light flashed before my eyes.
My blood surged. My breathing shifted. My aura erupted—
Blue flames swirling around me.
"What… what is this?"
Back to Ryusei—he froze.
He sensed it.
"This power… what IS this?" he muttered.
His eyes glowed silver. He turned—
And saw the burning blue aura rising around me.
"Nozomi…?"
He started coming towards me.
I panicked.
"How do I turn this off—what IS this?!"
But then I saw her.
My mother.
Her lips moved as she struggled to breathe.
I read the words clearly—
"Nozomi… BE A HERO."
Those words ignited something deep inside me.
A surge. A roar of pure energy.
My body lit up.
Ryusei stumbled back.
"My body,no the shinkai… it's reacting. Wait—no…"
His eyes widened.
"This power… is this the TENSHINKAI?!"