"I will appreciate that," Lucy replied calmly, her eyes narrowing as she stepped toward the mysterious man. Every movement of hers was deliberate, measured. The others followed behind, watching the man who carried himself with unnerving composure.
Without a word, the man traced glowing patterns into the air. A teleportation circle lit up beneath their feet, runes of crimson and pale gold spinning in synchrony. With a faint hum, the world around them blurred—then solidified again.
They stood before the second gate, its towering archway marking the very border of the Kingdom of Ashura.
Lucy nodded once. "Thanks, mister." Her tone was polite, but her sharp gaze never left his.
The man smirked faintly, watching as they stepped through. "Such young talents… I can't wait for Ruto to make his move." His voice dropped to a murmur as he folded his hands behind his back, his eyes glowing faintly.
(Ruto—the Special Darkside Knight of the Celestial Kingdom.)
---
The moment they entered, the scenery shifted dramatically. Unlike the quiet, empty paths of other borders, the border to Ashura was alive with movement. A flood of people pressed forward— Shinras
desperate to gain entry.
"What's with all these people, Master? It's crowded like a whole town." Jackson frowned, scanning the chaos.
Lucy didn't break stride. "Nothing surprising, Jack. This is Ashura—the strongest kingdom in the country. Everyone dreams of living inside its walls. But it takes talent to stay there. Only the chosen are allowed to reside within."
"Talents, huh?" Sasaki raised an eyebrow. "And how do they 'pick' these talents?"
Lucy shot him a glare. "Stop asking questions like a child. Jack didn't ask me because he already knows the answer. Sometimes, Sasaki, you need to use your brain."
Sasaki just shrugged, completely unfazed.
Moments later, he leaned toward Alfie with a sly grin.
"Hey, kid. How about a one-on-one once we're inside Ashura? Get all that grudge off your chest. Fight me properly."
Alfie's head snapped toward him. "You fool! Don't ignore Me like that!" Lucy barked, shoving Sasaki's back hard.
"Ouch!" Sasaki winced, rubbing his shoulder. "Man, I swear… sometimes silence is the best reply."
"You fool. Just get lost." Lucy's eyes rolled.
"I'm in." Alfie's voice cut in, calm but sharp. His fists clenched at his side. "No Renshi. Just strength. Hand-to-hand combat."
Sasaki blinked, then burst into thunderous laughter.
"HAHAHAHA! You're getting ahead of yourself, brat. I'm twice your size—in weight, in bones, in raw power. Don't think you'll even last ten seconds against me!"
"Don't mock me, bastard," Alfie snapped, eyes burning. "Just wait and see."
Sasaki grinned wider, teeth glinting. "Fine. I'll be waiting."
The group pressed on, their boots echoing against the wooden planks of a massive bridge. Below them swirled a dense, emerald fog.
"Finally, someone got Alfie to talk," Lucy thought as she glanced sideways. "Of all people… it was Sasaki. Everything is becoming so unpredictable."
"Master," Jackson spoke up, his eyes fixed on the thick mist. "What's with this green fog? It… looks poisonous."
Lucy didn't hesitate. "Of course it's poisonous. Don't go asking questions like Sasaki."
"Hey! Stop making me the bad example here!" Sasaki growled.
Jackson couldn't help it—he burst into laughter.
Behind them, Alfie dragged his feet, his mind clouded with thoughts he couldn't escape. I made so many promises I couldn't keep… bragging about protecting Master, protecting Rebekah. And here I am—walking toward Ashura without her. Because I failed… DAMN IT!
"Alfie. Keep up. Don't fall behind," Lucy's voice pulled him back to reality. He lifted his head and forced himself forward.
---
After two hours and forty-five minutes of relentless walking, their journey ended before a breathtaking sight—the first gate of Ashura, a colossal structure of shimmering silver. Its surface reflected the sunlight so brightly it seemed almost divine.
Lucy slowed, her voice calm yet commanding. "That's the first gate. Alfie—come here."
She crouched behind him, her fingers glowing faintly as she unraveled the sleeping seal she had placed on him the previous night. The seal glimmered faintly before dissolving into the air.
"Here's how this works. At the first gate, our Renshi will be tested. If our energy passes their requirement, we're allowed to proceed to the second gate." She turned to Jackson, her tone firm. "Jack—it's not going to be easy for you. But I have an idea. Come closer."
Jackson stepped forward. Lucy retrieved a glowing seal etched with flowing runes. The moment she pressed it to his skin, it burst with light, his Renshi surging wildly.
Jackson staggered, clutching his head as pain seared through him.
"That's from the second seal," Lucy explained quickly. "I've carried it on my neck for years. Your body will absorb as much as it can handle, but don't overdo it—or you'll lose consciousness."
Jackson gritted his teeth, nodding silently.
They continued toward the gate. Around them, dozens of Shinras loitered in a small town built in front of the entrance, watching with skeptical eyes.
"Tch. What's wrong with these kids?" a fat man muttered, lounging on a chair with a whiskey bottle in hand. "Back in my day, I never would've dragged my wife and kids here, knowing it's hopeless. Foolish new generation…"
Jackson's fists tightened. Did he just say that? I hope Master didn't—
"Damn pig!" Lucy's voice snapped like a whip, echoing across the square. "You'd better mind your business!"
The man's face turned red with fury. "Huh?! How dare you call me a pig! I'll teach you your place, you and your pathetic husband!"
In the blink of an eye, he activated Switch Mode, vanishing and reappearing at Lucy's back. A massive axe gleamed in his hands, raised high for the kill—
BOOM!
Sasaki's fist buried itself into the man's stomach before the axe could descend. The impact launched him like a cannonball, sending him crashing through the camps behind, smashing wood and stone alike as screams erupted.
Dust clouded the air.
Sasaki exhaled slowly, cracking his knuckles. "You're welcome."
Lucy didn't even flinch. "That wasn't necessary, Sasaki. I would've crushed all the bones in his body with just my Renshi pressure."
She turned her back to the wreckage without hesitation. The group continued walking toward the shining silver gate.