As the wolf loomed over him, its gaze crushing and merciless, the boy still did not retreat. He tightened his grip around the chain, muscles coiling as he prepared to swing, his scream tearing from his throat.
"HAAAH!!"
From the center of the wolf's horn, a dense, blinding beam of light erupted without warning, ripping through the air straight toward him. Time seemed to freeze. He was too slow, far too slow. His arm had only just begun its arc as the beam closed in, aimed directly for his head.
"No… I'm not going to make it. It's too fast!
I regret everything I said-no, I don't want to die.
I want to keep getting stronger… to live my life to the fullest!"
"I can't… die-!"
His thoughts shattered as something unfamiliar entered his peripheral vision: an orb of dark blue flame, hovering silently at the edge of his sight.
"What is that-- ha!"
His words were cut off once more as fabric brushed against his face, a cape, fluttering past him. And then, he saw it.
A tall figure stood between him and the oncoming beam. A long black cape draped from their shoulders, and a straw hat rested against their back. Unmoving. Unshaken. As if the overwhelming force rushing toward them meant nothing at all..
What… is this?
Who are you?
The questions raced through his mind, colliding with disbelief and awe
Matsuri: Dark Mischief
Chapter 2 - Left for another chance
Just as the beam was about to strike, the mysterious figure raised his sword, guarding diagonally in front of him.
Then-!!
Dark blue flames ignited at the base of the blade, surging upward in an instant, engulfing the entire sword from hilt to tip.
"First Regulation: Stygian Blaze."
That was the name of the form- the sword reborn, wrapped in dark blue fire.
The beam finally collided with the blazing blade-!!
The moment of contact erupted into a blinding, violet explosion of aura, the shockwave ripping through the air.
Thrown backward by the force, the boy crashed onto the ground, his vision snapping shut as his chain slipped from his grasp, dissolving slowly as he let go.
When the clash subsided, he opened his eyes.
Dark blue ashes drifted through the air like falling snow.
And there he stood, the man, still upright. Unscathed. The wolf's beam had been completely erased. Along with it, the beast's immense golden aura had vanished, leaving only its towering form behind.
With a calm motion, the man swung his sword to the side, extinguishing the flames.
"Stand down, Primal Dane," he said casually, a faint smile on his lips. "This boy bears no ill intent. This land will remain unthreatened. There is no need for unnecessary conflict."
His words carried neither hostility nor fear, only certainty.
The wolf stared at him in silence.
Then, after a long moment, it turned away… and walked off into the distance.
As the wolf slowly retreated, its massive form disappearing into the distance, the boy remained on the ground-shaken, breathless, unable to speak.
"What… just happened…?"
The question wandered endlessly in his mind.
Before the man could even turn to face him, the boy noticed the black cape fluttering in the wind.
And then, his breath caught.
At the center of the cape was a massive symbol.
His eyes widened, a sharp gasp escaping his lips.
"This is…!"
The man finally turned around.
His expression was severe-cold, disciplined, unnerving. Every step he took toward the boy carried weight, authority.
He stopped in front of him and knelt down to meet his eye level.
Silence fell.
Now it was the man staring down at him.
The boy squeezed his eyes shut, his body tensing.
"This is it… I'm going to be executed for violating the Grandhouse Rules…"
The man let out a long sigh.
Then-
"THAT WAS AWESOME!"
The sudden shout made the boy flinch.
"A TOTAL KID AND AN UNFAMILIAR PERSON LIKE YOU STANDING UP TO A BIOME LORD?! OH WOW, YOU COULDN'T HAVE BEEN MORE IMPRESSIVE! HAHA!"
Steam practically burst from the man's nose as he clenched his fists near his face, eyes shining like an overexcited fan.
"What the heck is going on…?"
The thought echoed in the boy"s mind as confusion continued to swirl-yet beneath it, a strange sense of relief began to settle in.
"What's your name, boy?" the man asked brightly, as if they had just met under ordinary circumstances.
"Uh… it's Ryu. Izanagi Ryu," he replied, still baffled, answering almost on instinct.
At the sound of the name, the man paused.
His cheerful expression shifted-subtle, but unmistakable, into something more focused. Surprise flickered across his face, followed by curiosity.
"Izanagi, huh?" he said thoughtfully. "You must be from the nation of Nara. That name… it carries weight. Quite an impressive one, very striking."
"Y-yeah. I'm from Nara…" Ryu hesitated, his voice lowering. "Though, I usually get shamed for my last name. A lot of backlash."
The man hummed softly. "I'm sorry to hear that. Names can be controversial, especially when they echo the name of an Ancient God." He blinked, then chuckled lightly.
"Ah-right. Forgive me. I forgot to introduce myself. I'm-"
"Yeah… I already know who you are."
The man stopped.
Ryu lifted his gaze, steady despite his nerves.
"Everyone does, probably. You're a Mischief Hunter, an Imperial Servant, the highest rank in the entire Imperial Stand. The Guild Leader of Unlit Knavery." He swallowed, then continued. "The one they call the Ruined Reaper."
As Ryu spoke, the man straightened, his posture relaxed yet dignified. A faint smile curved his lips, not proud, not dismissive just calm acknowledgment.
Then, at last, he spoke.
"Sakata… Ayato."
"Funny how that works,"
Ayato said, a quiet breath of amusement in his voice.
"Heh, I keep forgetting I'm an Imperial Servant. I didn't think our name carried far enough to reach even the outskirts of Florence."
The wind swept through the area, brushing against Ayato's hair and tugging gently at his cape as it flowed with the current. The air itself seemed to grow heavier in its wake, as though the atmosphere had deepened around them.
Chapter 2 ends!