*The vehicles of the Blue Knights could be seen driving through the snow-covered fields as they made their way to Zegkirche. On the ride, Ember told her captains and everyone what was going on*
(Rika): So all this time you guys have been investigating the Red Eclipse incidents going on along the borders of Brister?
(Jermaine): Yep. Never would have imagined the Citizens of the Sun would be involved in these cases. Things are way bigger than we expected.
(Morgan): And they’ll only get worse if we don’t stop them in Zegkirche.
*While everyone was talking, Dust was receiving medical attention. The medic was a female zebra demihuman with yellow eyes and short bowl-cut hair that was half black and half white. Her eyes were yellow and she wore a blue ranger uniform*
(Zebra demihuman): There we go. I bandaged up the area of the broken ribs. You should be fine but don’t do anything too strenuous, sugar.
(Dust): Thanks. If I feel any discomfort I hope you don’t mind me coming to you for help miss-
(Zebra demihuman): Rin, and not at all, sugar.
*Rin batted her eyes at Dust before turning around to fill out papers as Jin, Gael and Hibana watched in disbelief*
(Hibana): You’re hopeless.
(Dust): What can I say? I’m that charming.
(Gael): So all you guys are demihumans?
(Rin): Yep. The whole platoon is composed entirely of demihumans.
(Jin): And you guys are all rangers.
(Rin): Nope. Aside from the captain, all of us are regular knights. But the captain insisted on leading an entire team composed of demihumans and hand-picked all of us to join her platoon.
(Dominik): And she’s taken us on some pretty wild missions, but this one is the wildest.
(Ember): There’s nothing to worry about. We’ve got the Blazing Knight, the Ice Scholar, and the Lightning Soldier on our side. Not to mention these other guys know how to fight. That dark elf back there went one-on-one with Ryuuji and pushed him to the limits.
(Rin): While that’s all impressive, Mr. Balor will be sitting out this next battle. He’s in no condition to be moving around.
(Jermaine): We’re pulling up Zegkirche now.
*The vehicles stopped in front of a gate and everyone got out. On one of the watchtowers a man looked down and saw them*
(Guard): Who goes there?
(Ember): We’re knights from Brister. We have business with the Fire Sage.
(Guard): No. The city is on lockdown.
(Amarti): A tiger and girl should have informed you of our arrival.
(Guard): If you’re talking about Mumen and Alita then yes. However, we are under specific orders not to let anyone in.
(Ryuuji): Perhaps you’ll change your mind with me, Ryuuji Kazuchika.
(Guard): Ryuuji Kazuchika!? The man who mastered all 500 techniques of the Fire Grid? A thousand pardons sir. I’ll let you in immediately.
*Guard got to work opening the gate*
(Amarti): Impressive.
(Ryuuji): I’m quite well known here by the locals. I used to train here quite a bit as a child.
*The group enters the city where they see the place is many shops. People come out of their houses and stop what they’re doing when they notice Ryuuji*
(Fire monk): Praise be to Zekell! Ryuuji Kazuchika has come to save us.
(Fire monk #2): The chosen one has returned!
*The crowd begins to cheer*
(Dust): We have truly entered a bizarre world.
(Jin): Is it really that hard for you to accept how popular Ryuuji is?
(Dust): . . .yes.
*The group made their way to the Fire Monk temple which was at the center of the city. Ryuuji knocked on the which was answered by a man with a blonde mohawk, red eyes, and wore a red tunic with brown pants and brown beads around his neck and right wrist. He did not look pleased to see Ryuuji*
(Ryuuji): Hello, Marco. It’s been a while.
(Marco): Ryuuji Kazuchika. I warned you about coming here. You know what happens next, right?
(Ryuuji): I do.
*Marco straight up punches Ryuuji and he falls down the stairs*
(Dust): I like this guy.
(Marco): You’ve got some nerve coming here after what you did. Abandoning the temple. Going off to play knight. Turning your back on me and everyone here. Damn you!
(Ryuuji): Marco, I hear you. But just know that what I did had to be done.
*Marco rolls his eyes*
(Ryuuji): But we don’t have time for this right now.
(???): Hey! What’s going on out there?
*An older woman with straight orange hair and blue eyes wearing glasses, a long burgundy sweater, and black pants emerges from door with Mumen and Alita standing beside*
(Gael): Woah, that is one strong aura. Who is that?
(Sanada): Fire Sage Moona. One of the strongest practitioners of the Fire Grid out there.
(Moona): *Gasp* Is that my baby? Ryuuji?
*Ryuuji stands back and looks up at Moona with a smile*
(Ryuuji): Hi mom.
*Moona rushes down the stairs and hugs her son*
(Jin): Sir Ryuuji’s mom is a Fire Sage?
(Zia): Yes. His dad was also a Fire Sage until he got banished.
(Moona): Oh I’ve missed you so much. This sweet little child has been telling me so much about you.
*Alita waved and smiled at the group*
(Moona): How’s Le Fey and the kids? They don’t know I’m coming, right?
(Ryuuji): They’re all good and no, they don’t know a thing. It’s going to be a great surprise.
(Moona): I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to get there. With these Citizens and Eclipse attacks in the area, Marco has the whole city on lockdown.
(Ryuuji): Yeah, about that. We need to talk inside.
*The group goes inside the temple with Marco and Moona. Once inside they all have a seat*
(Moona): I’m so happy to see you. Come, I’ll make you your favorite sandwich.
(Ryuuji): Not now, mom. Things are getting dire out there. Cinder is planning to launch an attack on Zegkirche.
(Marco): Hmph. Let her try. I’ve got this whole place on lockdown. Ain’t no way the Citizens are getting in here.
(Ryuuji): She’s not attacking the city with Citizens. She’s going to use the Red Eclipse to unleash a horde of Eclipses on this area. We need to mount a defense force to stop them here and now.
(Marco): Oh come on? You want us to fight those monsters?
(Ryuuji): If we don’t stop them here, they’ll enter Brister territory and attack the other settlements. They don’t have the same protection as Zegkirche. Thousands of people could die.
(Marco): Why should that matter to us? Zegkirche is an independent city, whatever happens to Brister and its territories is your problem, Mr. Blazing Knight.
(Ryuuji): We aren’t enough to stop them. I need you and the rest of the Fire Monks to help us fight these things off and protect this land.
(Marco): You think you can just come back here and demand our help after everything you did? Not going to happen.
(Ryuuji): Marco, this is bigger than you and me!
(Marco): I don’t care!
(Dust): Hey! Bird hair! No offence Jermaine.
(Jermaine): Non-taken.
(Dust): I don’t know what kind of grudge you have against Ryuuji here, but I’m sure it’s nothing a good sit-down or fist swinging can’t fix. Now I didn’t come out here and get my ribs broken to see two men bicker like school kids. I came here to protect lives and this man is asking you to back us up because he trusts you and knows how strong you are. So put your grudge on hold, man up, and help us.
(Marco): Hey! You don’t know me and I don’t know you. Get the hell out of my city! All of you. Now!
(Moona): Enough! Have you forgotten the teachings of Zekell? Protect others as if they were your own flesh and blood. Ryuuji and these knights came all the way out here to protect us. So you show them some respect! We’re going to fight and we’re going to protect this land and everyone in it.
(Ryuuji): I’m sorry, mom. I didn’t want to get you or anyone else involved.
(Moona): Ryuuji, this place is your home. No matter where you go, the Fire Monks will always be there to have your back and we’re always ready for a fight. So, what do you need us to do?
***
*In the hours to come everyone got to work building defenses outside of the city and strategizing. Morgan and Rika led the strategy meeting while The Wild Bunch and the rest of Shadow eye set up defenses and examined weaponry for the coming battle. Raika and Jin were examining the weapons of the Wild Bunch particularly the guns*
(Raika): Excellent firearms.
(Jin): Yeah, the craftsmanship on these weapons is amazing.
(Dominik): Like what you see? Feel free to help yourself to any of these. You’ll definitely need something stronger than those pistol shooters. The same goes for you Fire Monks, if you guys need weapons. Let us know.
(Ryuuji): That won’t be necessary. We Fire Monks don’t use weapons or firearms.
(Dominik): Why’s that?
(Moona): Too uncivilized. We Fire Monks have no need for them. If we’re going to protect this land. We’re going to protect it using this.
*Moona lifts her fist*
(Moona): This.
*Moona points toward her forehead*
(Moona): And this.
*Moona points toward her heart*
(Raika): A very noble idea Miss Moona. Call me uncivilized but I’ll stick to what I’m best at. Shooting Eclipses.
(Moona): Suit yourself.
*Moona walks away to check on the others*
(Raika): I thought you were in the strategy meeting.
(Ryuuji): Marco was there and I think it’s best if I stay away from him. I already got my orders. Take down Cinder.
(Jin): What happened between you guys? He seemed to hold a pretty big grudge against you.
(Ryuuji): It’s no surprise. When I was growing up Marco was kind of the big brother to a lot of us at the temple. He was one of the first people to stand up to my dad’s treatment of me. When I became an adult I was chosen to become a Fire Sage but I turned the position down to live in Brister with Le Fey and the others. If I was a Fire Sage I’d be traveling around from place to place. Le Fey would either have to stay behind or travel with me. I couldn’t do that to her or the kids, so I chose to remain a knight. My mom understood but in Marco’s eyes I turned my back on him, everyone here at the temple, and our teachings. I’ve been avoiding Zegkirche ever since. Maybe he’s right. A part of me does feel like I betrayed this place.
(Mumen): There is nothing wrong with choosing one’s happiness over duty. For every choice we make we sacrifice something but gain something in return as well. Instead of focusing on what you lost. Focus on what you have gained.
*Ryuuji took Mumen’s words to heart and started remembering what he’s gained by staying in Brister. A family, friends, and work he could be proud. Was there a chance he could have had that as Fire Monk? Sure, but he couldn’t imagine it without any of these individuals he’s met in his time in Brister*
(Ryuuji): You know something, you’re right. What I gained in Brister easily outweighs what I would have gained if I decided to stay as a Fire Sage. Thanks, Mumen.
(Mumen): My pleasure.
***
*Some time later as night set in and everyone was eating while reviewing one final review for tomorrow, Ryuuji went off to a secluded place overlooking the city and horizon*
(Ryuuji): I won’t let this place fall.
*As Ryuuji looked down at the temple grounds he remembered the first day he met Cinder. Their sparring sections together. The promise they made that the two of them would become masters of the Fire Grid and lead the Fire Monks as Fire Sages*
(Ryuuji): *Sigh* Times were so much simpler back then.
(Dust): Of course they were.
*Ryuuji turns around to see Dust standing in front of the door and he began to walk over to where Ryuuji was*
(Dust): When you’re a kid you don’t have the weight of the world on your shoulders to complicate things. But when you become an adult the world just takes your ideas and tells you to shove them. If you want your ideas to be recognized become strong to make them mean something.
(Ryuuji): That is so true. How are you feeling?
(Dust): Still banged up so I’ve been given orders to hold down the fort while you guys have all the fun. Sorry, I won’t be able to clear a path for you.
(Ryuuji): It’s alright. You’ve done more than enough this mission. It’s my turn to contribute.
(Dust): She’ll be here tomorrow. You ready to do what needs to be done?
(Ryuuji): Yes.
(Dust): Good. See that you do. If you get cold feet and I have to go out there and finish the job, I swear you’ll be spending the holidays in a hospital room instead of at home with me, Hibana, and your family.
(Ryuuji): *Chuckles* Well I don’t want that to happen. Hey wait, did you just say-
(Dust): Don’t spoil the moment. You heard me.
*Dust walks away to leave Ryuuji alone. Ryuuji smiles now having more reason to win tomorrow*
***
*Early next morning two fire monks were in a watchtower looking out into the horizon when one of them spotted movement out in the distance. Black figures, moving swiftly through the snow and toward the city. The fire monk’s eye shrunk with terror as he realized what was approaching*
(Fire monk): They’re here! Sound the alarm!
*The second fire monk quickly lit a torch and rang a bell waking any who were asleep in the city up. Other torches began to be lit throughout the city to warn people of the coming danger*
(Fire monk #2): They’re coming! Head toward the temple for safety!
*A monk ran in the streets warning everyone of the Eclipses. Citizens rushed to the temple for safety. At the temple as people were crowding in for safety, the members of Shadow Eye were sitting patiently at a table*
(Jade): It would appear the boring part is finally over. Now begins the fun part.
*The members of Shadow Eye got up and headed toward the doors*
(Dust): Break a leg out there you guys. Or two. Or three. I’ll keep this place safe with Hibana.
(Ryuuji): How’s your drone, Hibana?
(Hibana): Prepped and ready to go. As soon as I find her I’ll let you know.
*The members of Shadow Eye aside from Dust and Hibana left the temple and headed toward the front gate. As people began entering the temple, a hooded figure was walking in looking doing their best not to attract any attention to themselves*
***
*The members of Shadow Eye made it to the front gates, where Rika, Nate, Ember, The Wild Bunch, Marco, and thirty fire monks were out there ready to fight*
(Morgan): How are we looking?
(Mumen): Bad. It’s just like we anticipated, there’s a large number of them.
(Jin): Mumen, what are you doing out here? I thought you were going to duck out at the temple.
(Mumen): I asked for help. What kind of person would I be if I asked you to fight my battle for me? We shall fight together.
(Gael): Who knew monks were eager to fight?
(Mumen): We do not go around looking for fights. But we’ll gladly finish them.
(Marco): Are all the citizens making it to the temple?
(Ryuuji): Yes. They’ll be safe there.
(Marco): Let’s hope so. Activate the defenses!
*A red shield encases Zegkirche and an electric fence springs up from the ground, covering the surrounding area around the city except for one opening, which is near the front of the city*
(Marco): Hope this plan of yours works.
(Morgan): It will.
*Some of the Eclipses head toward the electric fence and are electrocuted to death*
(Morgan): The Eclipses outnumber us so they’ll try to attack the city from various points, scattering our forces. So instead of scattering our forces to fight them, we force them into one solidary point of entry and take them out. It’s a risky move, but it at least gives us control of the battlefield.
*As more Eclipses arrive and get electrocuted by the fence, they start to wise up and stop charging the fence. They then take notice of the opening and start to charge through. Up in the sky Hibana’s drone sees them starting to use the entrance and relays this information to those on the ground*
(Hibana): They’re starting to use the entrance!
(Morgan): They caught on sooner than I expected.
(Ember): Not to worry. We planted a little surprise for our invaders.
*As the Eclipses started charging through the entrance one of them step on a mine and it exploded unleashing a blast of fire magic that destroyed the Eclipse and those getting caught in the blast. Soon more mines started going off and Eclipses began getting destroyed by the blast of fire magic. A large smokescreen began to cover the area from all the mines going off*
(Morgan): Nice work. Get in place everyone.
*Everyone kept their eyes on the smokescreen waiting for the Eclipses to jump out and attack. After a few seconds they got their wish as multiple Eclipses jumped out of the smokescreen. Upon closer inspection they took the shape of bears, wolves, and foxes in demonic forms. Some were regular Eclipses while others had frost on them signally that they had adaptive to the cold environment and been infused with ice magic. Ryuuji was the first to destroy an Eclipse by punching it followed by Marco, a few fire monks, and knights of the Wild Bunch*
(Morgan): Hold this line! Don’t let any of them through!
*As Ryuuji, the monks, and the Wild Bunch fought, some of the Eclipses were able to get past them. Thus signaling Shadow Eye to fight. Raika was the first to strike as she fired an electric shotgun round using a one-handed shotgun to destroy an Eclispe followed by two more rounds to kill two more Eclipses. A bear Eclipse closed in on her and took swipe but Raika was able to avoid it with a cartwheel. The Eclipse persistent and followed after her where she jumped in the air to avoid the charging Eclipse and shot it in the neck. The Eclipse collapsed and began to disappear. Once Raika landed she saw Eclipses getting ready to charge her from the left and right and one right behind her. Ignoring the Eclipse behind her, she took out a second shotgun to fire*
(Raika): Get some.
*Raika fire off her shotguns to destroy the Eclipses while the Eclipse behind was about to attack. However, it was sliced in half by Sanada who appeared out of thin air behind Raika. As Raika and Sanada were watching each other’s backs, Morgan shot ice spheres from his wand to kill Eclipses. He soon found himself surrounded by eight wolf Eclipses and his wand to the ground to summon ice pillars that pierced the stomch of the Eclipses. The pillars were then smashed up as a bear Eclipse came charging toward Morgan who jumped out of the way. Before the Eclipse could turn around, it was guzzled by Jade who lifted the Eclipse off the ground with one hand and slammed it to the ground, and used her club to bash the head of the Eclipse. Jade relished in her victory a fox Eclipse jumped on her back and bit into her shoulder. Amart was throwing his blade discs to kill any Eclipses he saw when out of the corner of his eyes he could Jade getting attacked by the Eclipse. Amarti prepared to throw his blade disc but saw he didn’t have a clear shot and would it Jade instead. Using his quick thinking, he saw the ice pillars and threw his disc where it ricochetted off three pillars and struck the Eclipse in the back of the head. Amarti then looked to see the front line beginning to collapse on the left side*
(Amarti): Zia, assistance on the left if you don’t mind.
*Hearing Amarti, Zia looked and saw the some of the knight and fire monks outnumbered*
(Zia): Yes, master.
*Zia ran toward the frontlines but blocking her path were two Eclipses. Zia was prepared to slice them down with her kukris but was surprised to see them destroyed by a canon fire and blast of light*
(Jin): We got your back, Zia.
*Hearing Jin’s voice, Zia looked to the right and then to left to see Gael and Jin trailing behind her and smiled. She realized that this would be much easier*
(Zia): Try to keep up.
*Zia sped up followed by Jin and Gael. Three made it to the frontlines where Zia began mercilessly slashing through Eclipse after Eclipse. Gael followed suit and began punching and kicking whatever Eclipse he saw. Jin concentrated on his umbrella weapon and morphed it into a buster sword where he began to swing and slash through Eclipses to protect some of the injured knights and monks*
(Jin): Fall back if you’re injured I’ll cover for you.
*As of the injured knights and monks began to retreat, Jin concentrated once again and turned his sword into a Gatling gun and began firing on the Eclipses heading in his direction. Multiple Eclipses were gunned down by Jin as the injured monks and knights retreated but looked back in amazement at how many Eclipses Jin was killing. On the right side of the frontlines, Rika, Nate, and Ember were fighting against the Eclipses and holding their own with the knights and monks beside them. One fire monk who was covering their face was doing a particularly good job and taking out multiple Eclipses with ease. Rika, Nate, and Ember were impressed by the monk as they fought and wondered who they were. In the center of the frontlines was Ryuuji, Marco, Alita, and Mumen leading the charge. Marco was holding his own and defeating any Eclipse that came his way but was blindsided by an Eclipse that tackled him from the side and was about to chop his head, but Ryuuji saved him by throwing the Eclipse into the air and shooting off a fire to destroy it. Ryuuji offered his hand to Marco who at first was hesitant to take it but realized that this wasn’t the time or place to let his pride control him and took Ryuuji’s hand. After to his feet, Marco and Ryuuji stood side by side to each other and began fighting the Eclipses*
***
*Back in the city, Hibana was on the upper level of the temple, surveying the area with her drone*
(Hibana): Come on, where are you?
*Hibana controlled her drone to fly around looking for her target until she finally noticed a figure standing off in the distance. Using her camera on her drone to zone in she could get a clear picture of Cinder watching the fight with a scowl on her face*
(Hibana): Gotcha.
***
*Back on the battlefield as everyone continued to fight, Hibana’s drone flew down just above Ryuuji and Marco*
(Hibana): I found her! Forty kilometers north of here.
*Upon hearing this Ryuuji and Marco faced each other*
(Marco): Go! Finish this. I’ll protect this area.
(Mumen): As will we.
*Ryuuji nodded and the two monks faced forward against the herd of Eclipses*
(Ryuuji and Marco): Fire Form 350: Red Meteor!
*Both Ryuuji and Marco clap their hands together and both unleash two massive meteor-like fireballs that spin around scorching every Eclipse in their way and opening up a path. Once the way was clear Ryuuji took off flying in the direction of Cinder*
***
*Meanwhile, back in the city, as the citizens were gathered in the temple for safety, a hooded figure took advantage of this commotion and managed to sneak past the guards to reach a staircase that led to the upper levels of the temple. The figure had a female figure and removed her hood to reveal herself to be Oraine*
***
*Cinder was pacing back and forth like a caged animal but stopped when she sensed Ryuuji. Ryuuji landed near her, staring her down*
(Cinder): I knew you would come. Here to talk some sense into me?
(Ryuuji): No. Not this time. I’m going to stop you. Even if it means by force.
*Cinder smiles as Ryuuji takes up a fighting stance*
(Cinder): Very well. Let’s decide once and for all who the strongest is.
Author’s Note: Well guys, we’ve entered the climax of this arc. This chapter dives a little more into Ryuuji’s past as we get to meet his mom and even an old friend who isn’t so happy to see him and is holding a grudge. While Ryuuji has done nothing wrong per se, those around him feel that he left them to pursue his own selfish goals. Just goes to show that even when you make a right decision for yourself, there are going to be those around you who hold a grudge against you because that decision affects them in some way. This climax is going to give us three fights. Ryuuji and Cinder, the fight against the Eclipse, and the fight against the assassin who has infiltrated the city. Tune in next week to see how it’ll end. Thanks for reading and I’ll see you next time.