Arc II: “Universal Threat”
Chapter III: “Gang War”
Episode IX: “Assassin! The Deadly Ronin Returns!”
This is my chance! The kid’s burned through all his flow! Bed blurred towards Leo—
“Ugh!”
—and was launched back as if he’d hit a wall. He pinwheeled through sandy grit; boots carving trenches before he skidded to a stop.
What? Who did that!?
Leo blinked, stunned—a lime-gold afterimage hanging in the air.
Kyte hung between them, arm still extended from the parry, Utopic light sheeting off his forearm.
“What are you doing here… w-why are you helping me?” Leo rasped.
“Because my brother asked me to, of course.”
[A few minutes ago]
Akira interrupted Kyte and Rikito’s battle, announcing that Kyte was his brother.
“Since we don’t have to fight anymore, think you could do me a favor?” Akira asked.
“Well…”
“C’mon, we’re brothers, remember?” Akira joked.
“As much as I want to… this collar lets Ronin pull my strings. It’s impossible to remove—”
Akira’s eyes narrowed—sigils spider-webbed, then the collar snapped with a clean metallic pop.
“Woah—how did you do that?” Kyte breathed.
“Never mind that. I need you to head somewhere—my friends are in danger.”
“R-right!” Kyte kicked a wake in the clouds and shot for the island.
[Now]
“You’re Akira’s brother!?” That’s insane… but if he’s telling the truth, then that means Akira’s okay.
“Don’t worry. I’ll handle the rest.”
“Is that so?” Bed chuckled. “So, the mighty beast has been tamed… and has decided to bite the hand that fed him. Tsk, tsk.”
Bed’s eyes traced the bare throat where a collar should’ve been.
He got the collar off!? Wait… calm down. If that’s really the case, then this is perfect…
Bed’s grin went thin and eager.
Kyte’s collar was a special model that also had the serum in it… But without it—I can take him!
[In the sky]
“So, what now?” Rikito asked, aura dimming to a hard line.
“Good question…”
Akira closed his eyes and thought for a minute. A golden array reformed under his boots, sigils ticking into place.
“Well, there’s something else I need to take care of…”
“Yeah, and what’s that?” Rikito asked.
“It’s a secret,” Akira said, playfully.
“Right…” Rikito deadpanned.
“Ronin’s on his way here. I can feel him—and he’s not alone…”
“What!?”
“Get ready, Rikito. I’ll need your help.”
“Hmph, if you say so.” Rikito folded his arms.
“Riella, can you go check the ship? I want to make sure Sikira’s sister isn’t there.”
“Right!” Riella dropped toward the hatch.
“Can you go with her? I’ll be right back. I’ll be sure to return before Ronin gets here, so don’t worry.”
“Hmph,” Rikito grunted as he punched through the clouds in a violet streak.
[In the village]
“It’s over!” Sikira sprinted, dark aura licking the ground; Asuka sagged to one knee, breath ragged.
A golden orb flowered between them—two disks of floating runes spinning out. They each formed a lattice of complex arrays—before suddenly, Akira stepped through the light.
He raised a palm; Sikira’s art collapsed under the weight of Akira’s aether before it could fully manifest.
“W-what—Akira!?” Sikira skidded back.
“Akira!” Asuka exhaled, relief breaking across her face.
“Yo.”
Dammit… why now?
“Easy, Sikira—I’m not here to fight.”
“What!?” they both blurted.
“Heh—it’s thanks to you I found my brother. And besides, it’s not like you’re some villain,” Akira said, rubbing the back of his head.
His brother? Riella must have told him… but what is he saying?
If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.
“Of course I am! I’m a real member of the A.S.S. Gang, unlike Kyte!”
“Really? Then why do they have you wearing that collar?”
Akira’s eyes flashed; the lock snapped in half, and the band clattered to the dirt.
How did he do that!?
“From what I’ve seen, Ronin uses those to control his crew, right?” Akira’s soft gaze met hers. “He promised to let your sister go if you worked for him, didn’t he?”
“H-how do you know about that?”
“You told Riella, remember? If you had told us sooner, we could’ve helped.”
Sikira’s eyes dropped; shame tightened her face.
“Hey—we can’t undo the past, but we can still choose the next step. I promise you I’ll defeat Ronin and help you find your sister!” Akira tapped a fist to his chest.
Sikira lifted her eyes.
Tears cut clean tracks down her dusted cheeks; her arts unraveled. She crashed into Akira’s chest and sobbed while he steadied her.
Asuka watched, a small smile settling.
It was finally over.
[Five minutes later]
Sikira slept inside one of the homes still standing.
Asuka stepped out, hands still warm from her healing arts.
“Hey.” She eased her hand between Akira’s shoulder blades. “Guess I was worried about you for nothing,” she said, sitting beside him on the log.
“Hahaha, I could say the same about you. You’ve gotten really strong since the tournament,” Akira said, smiling.
They sat in easy silence—until their eyes caught and held, the night air humming between them.
[Above the Phantom]
Ronin and Hikari finally broke through the high clouds over the Phantom, contrails shredding behind them.
“I sense a rat has crawled aboard my ship…” Ronin said, hovering with Hikari, eyes narrowing at the hull.
[Inside the ship]
“—Do you feel that?” Rikito snapped. “There’s an insane aether source outside!”
“That must be Ronin! But there are two… it feels like… Hikari!” Riella blurted.
“Hikari? Who is that?”
“He’s the son of the Commander! He’s easily one of the strongest members of the Guard!”
Amazing… his yield seems to be on par with Ronin. “Why would he side with Ronin? He’s with the Cosmic Guard…”
“No idea… I’ve met him before—and he’s a good man! Something must have happened—maybe Ronin is controlling him!”
“Controlling someone that strong? Impossible.”
“No… it might just be possible. The collars are cutting-edge... I don’t even know how Ronin’s managed to get so many of them!”
“Show yourselves! I know you’re on my ship! You have ten seconds before I blow you all sky-high!” Ronin hollered, his voice reverberating through the hull.
“Shit…”
“What do we do?” Riella asked, pulse high.
“Stay here. Keep searching for Sikira’s sister. Check their space logs in the bridge.”
“What are you going to do?”
“I’m… going to go confront them.”
“Alone? You’ll die!”
“Hmph. I wouldn’t die to a mere criminal—or a fool wearing a leash.”
Moments later, Rikito stepped into blustering winds.
The clouds darkened, and a deep rumbling bellowed.
“Here I am, Ronin.”
“Ah, another Kaelithian.”
He leaned in with his gaze.
“Oh, I remember you. You’re the one who hurt my pet, Kyte.”
“That was nothing. I’ll show you what I can really do.”
“Oh? Hikari, go show him your might.”
Hikari dropped, streams of wind curling around him in tight spirals.
Well, shit. Rikito thought, a bead of sweat tracking his temple.
“So, you’re the one called the strongest member of the Cosmic Guard. You’ll make a fine warm-up.”
Hikari’s throat worked. “Hmph.”
The non-answer came out flat—more wince than threat—until the collar emitted a thin arc of red static across his neck and he squared his stance.
No point in holding back… Rikito thought. If this guy is really a rival to Ronin, then I’ll need every bit of power I can squeeze out.
“HA!”
Violet cinders erupted—Rikito’s demonic aether surged, hair and eyes darkening, pressure dimpling the air.
Hikari didn’t blink. Ronin smiled without teeth.
“Dark Lightning Cannon!”
A spear of black-violet tore the sky, thunder a heartbeat late.
Hikari flinched at the flare—hand lifting an inch, as if to ask for a pause—then the collar pulsed and his palm came up into guard.
He deflected the blast and blitzed forward, moving in a brown-gold blur.
He outpaced Rikito, landing a drumroll of hits he couldn’t read, let alone counter.
Dammit. I can’t even keep up with this guy. He’s completely overwhelming me!
Rikito tried to create distance between them by backing away, but Hikari instantly closed the gap.
“Argh!”
He landed another heavy blow onto Rikito, an uppercut arcing straight into his gut.
“You’re finished,” Hikari muttered grimly, his presence towering over Rikito.
“Lancer’s Spearline!”
A powerful, silver, spear-like projectile hurdled toward Rikito.
“Hrugh—!” A sudden grunt interjected into the scene—
Akira blinked in front of Rikito and shaped a borg; Utopic projections bracing into a crystalline bulwark to catch the spear.
“You alright, Rikito?”
“I didn’t need your help.”
“Really? Didn’t look like it to me.”
Hikari Aether-Skipped between them and attacked them both. They managed to dodge by jumping back in opposite directions.
“So, did you have a plan?” Rikito asked.
“Yeah. Let’s just beat them up,” Akira punched his fists together.
“Heh—of course.”
Akira transformed into his Utopic Spirit Resonance, reinforced by Utopic Pressure.
Come to think of it… Why can’t I sense Akira’s aether? Rikito thought.
“Why aren’t you using your God of Utopia state. Even if I can’t feel your power, I can still tell you’re not using it.”
“Hehe, you see… I may or may not have burned up all the Spirit’s aether. First it was you and Kyte, then Sikira, and now Hikari… so I’ll have to wait until the Spirit can provide me with more energy. But don’t worry, this is enough for now.”
“Tch—you fool.”
Okay… Ronin doesn’t seem interested in joining the fight right now. That’s good… without Akira’s full power, even battling against Hikari with both of us will be difficult.
“Akira.”
“Yeah?”
“I’m going to take a gamble.”
“What? What do you mean?”
“I need you to distract Hikari for as long as you can. I’m going to unleash a powerful art, and I need you to support me.”
“Alright, I’m game. I can get you five minutes.”
“Perfect.”
Rikito’s eyes sharpened as he looked up. Now, let’s see if this works… Ronin!
Rikito backed off and began channeling aether while Akira squared off against Hikari.
Alright! If I’m going to buy Rikito enough time like I promised, I’ll have to pull out all the stops!
“Golden Energy Mode! Layer One Hundred!”
A large aura ignited around Akira in layered rings, each halo ticking like a clock gear.
Impressive… I can tell he’s also improved since I last fought him… but was holding back this much power back then? Ronin thought as he watched the battle closely.
“Dragon Flash!”
Akira vanished in a heat-haze ripple and reappeared inside Hikari’s guard.
“Now, Draconic Fury!”
Akira punched him into the air.
“Dragon Combination!”
He Aether-Skipped beneath Hikari and pounded in a rapid barrage, each impact ringing like struck bronze.
“And finally! Celestial Rend: Golden Draconic Verse of Stellar Fracture… Utopic… Dragon Star Breaker!”
A monumental wave of shining light crashed down to the ground, the head of an ethereal dragon crunching through the earth.
Hikari stood up from the crater. He used his full power to block Akira’s attack.
“Not much damage, huh?” Akira muttered as he drifted back to the ground. “Okay… let’s try this!”
Akira generated a beam, a heavenly light drowning out the scene.
“Star Breaker!”
Hikari caught the blast and easily held it back.
Akira used Dragon Shift to teleport behind Hikari, then blasted him in his blind spot.
“Utopic Star Breaker!”
Despite the never-ending light show, Hikari appeared unscathed by Akira’s onslaught.
How much more time do you need, Rikito!?” Akira backed up towards him.
“Heh, that’s more than enough. Now, let’s show these guys not to underestimate us!”
Rikito closed his eyes for a moment, a royal-blue and black mass of unstable aether hanging in his palms before his chest.
“Oblivion Break! Sovereign Cataclysm: Chaos Bringer!”
Rikito discharged an earth-splitting beam; the air warped, and the sea drew back from the ridge of its column.
“What!?” Akira blurted—but he wasn’t the only one who was surprised.
Everyone was shocked to see Rikito’s beam aimed straight for Ronin.
“Shit—!” Ronin wasn’t expecting the attack and was still suppressing his power.
“Knight’s Cuirass!” Hikari wrapped Ronin in a dark-brown aegis; the beam shattered across it in a spray of shards.
Dammit! Rikito was panting after that attack. Hikari stopped it!
“Hahaha, very good Hikari! That was a nice try, Rikito… but now your time is up.”
Ronin unleashed his power as he descended onto the battlefield. His aura pressed like deep water; even the clouds sagged under it.
“What now, Rikito?” Akira whispered.
“Don’t look at me! That was my best technique, and Hikari blocked it like it was nothing.”
“Really?” Akira looked surprised. “…then I guess… we have no choice but to surpass our limits!”
Hikari’s eyes softened for half a blink—then the collar sang a red choir—and the softness died.
He blitzed the two of them. They attempted to fight back, but they were hopeless against his superior speed and strength. He easily broke through their coordination.
“Beautiful!”
Ronin lifted a hand; blue fire flowered overhead and came down like a blazing meteor.
“Wrath of Azra!”
Akira and Rikito were being held down by Hikari, unable to escape.
“Knight’s Cuirass!” Hikari clad himself in dark-brown plates of armor, shielding himself from the attack.
“AHHH!” They howled.
The meteor crushed them, stones hissing as their auras sparked under the onslaught.
“Hahaha!” Ronin chuckled. “Good… this is very good…”
[Kyte vs. Bed]
I can beat him! Without his collar, he’s just a weak, brainless savage-blood!
“HA!” Bed rushed towards Kyte.
Kyte snapped into his Limit-Breaking Mythical Spirit Resonance, lime-gold aether flooding the air.
“Urgh!” He barely caught Bed’s fist; shock rippled down his forearm.
“How do you like this!?” Bed poured on a blur of punches.
He’s fast! I can’t keep up with him!
“Oh no!” Leo watched helplessly. I don’t think Kyte can beat him alone!
“It’s over, haha! Without Ronin’s doping serum from your collar, you can’t beat me! I haven’t even used my serum yet!”
“Shut up!” Kyte pushed him back with a surge of energy. His rage continued building. “Juggernaut Drive!”
“Useless!” Bed struck a heavy blow on Kyte, knocking him back and bringing him down to his knees.
Dammit! I have to do something! My brother and the others are counting on me!
Akira’s voice popped into Kyte’s head: “That’s right, Kyte! I know you can beat this guy! Search deep within for the strength that you need!”
Brother? Is that you?
“Look deep within. You will find a great power hidden within yourself. Unleash it! Use your power to protect those in need!”
Kyte closed his eyes.
What is he doing? Bed wondered. “You’re wide opeeen! Compressed Springs!”
Bed launched a spiraling beam at Kyte, who stood motionless, eyes closed.
“Kyte!” Leo yelled as he reached out to him.
[Next Time on Lyte of Utopia]: “Two vs. Two! Akira and Rikito Unite!”
[Yield Levels]:
Bed: 20sx
- SS: 20sp
- SS + RD: 200sp
- Compressed Springs: x10
DF: x100Leo: 10t
- Weakened: 1t
Kyte: 5qd
- Blessed Utopian + Primal Boost: 500qd
- SR: (LBMSR): 5sx
- SR: (LBMSR) + JD: 5sp
- SR: (LBMSR) + JD + BU: 50sp
Akira: 20t
- DP: 20qd
- GoU + DP: 20sx
- SR: (USR) + UP + DP: 20sp
- SR: (USR) + UP + GEML100 + DP: 2oct
- Dragon Shift: (Teleportation)
- Dragon Force: x1qd
- Dragon Flash: (Blitz)
- Draconic Fury: x100
- Dragon Combination: x1.5
- Utopic Star Destroyer: x10
- Star Breaker: x1000
- Utopic Star Breaker: x10,000
- Utopic Dragon Star Breaker: x30,000
Rikito: 100t
- SR: (DeSR) + DeF: 100sp
- Dark Lightning Cannon: x10
- Chaos Bringer: x1m
Sikira: 100b
- SR + NF: (SA) + RD + Weakened: 20t (2qd) (Physical)
- Weakened: 10b
Asuka: 10t
- DBF + Weakened: 5t
- Weakened: 1t
Ronin: 1non
- Suppressed: 1sp
- Wrath of Azra: x1m
Hikari: 1non
- Suppressed: 1oct
- Knight’s Cuirass: x1m
- Lancer’s Spearline: x1000