*In the flatlands a bunch of hideous bear-like creatures with black fur, yellow eyes, long sharp fangs and metallic plating attached all over their bodies are dragging a bunch of dead animals into their den near the edge of a forest as a group of young knights watches from afar in a cabin up on a hill using binoculars. The knights were a young human male, a female elf, and a short freckled-face human girl*
(Male knight): Man, there’s a lot of them.
(Elf knight): At least we were finally able to track them back to their den.
(Short female knight): How’d you know this is where the Eclipses were hiding, Sir Kazuchika?
*The short female knight with freckles asked the muscular man with short spikey orange hair and blue eyes who was sitting at a table having a drink of water. His attire was a short-sleeved martial arts orange gi with matching orange martial arts pants that had black flames at the bottoms of the pant legs, and black shoes*
(Ryuuji): I’ve tangled with these creatures a number of times in the past. They move in large groups and usually hunt where their dens are close by. This way, in case they run into any trouble they can lure others to the den and overpower them with numbers.
*Ryuuji gets up and walks to the window where the male knight gives his binoculars to Ryuuji where he surveys the den. The den of Eclipses is apparently a large cave that stretches miles below ground*
(Ryuuji): Judging by the size of that den, I wager there’s about a hundred or so Eclipses down in there and they probably got eggs waiting to hatch. If we don’t exterminate that den soon this whole area will become overrun with Eclipses.
(Male knight): Just say the word Sir Kazuchika. We’ll raid the place and wipe them all out.
(???): Don’t be foolish, boy.
*The male knight turned his head to the door of the cabin where an older knight entered the cabin with his left arm in a sling. This man was a captain of the knights who was leading a group of newcomers on a regular patrol where they were ambushed by the Eclipses. The captain got his arm injured in the fight and a few of the other knights were severely injured and would have been killed if not for the intervention of Ryuuji who saw them fighting and came to their rescue*
(Captain of knights): They may be wild beasts but they’re still dangerous. I’ve contacted HQ for reinforcements. They’ll be here tomorrow. The best we can do is monitor their actions, rest, protect the area, and look after our injured comrades.
*The captain looked to the room in the back where about seven knights were severely injured and wounded from the attack of the Eclipses. Thankfully, none of their lives were in danger, but their injuries would keep them on the sidelines for some time*
(Ryuuji): Your captain is right. A knight should never attack his enemies when he’s outnumbered. Unless they have no other choice.
(Male knight): But still-
(Ryuuji): I know you want to avenge your comrades. You have a good heart, but a knight must always remember to act rationally and think before he acts. What good are you if you rush out and die? You’ll get your chance to shine, trust me.
*Ryuuji said sternly as he puts his hand on the shoulder of the male knight to comfort him. He knew how the young knight was feeling. Angered, frustrated, and sad that he couldn’t protect his comrades and that those creatures were still out there going unpunished. It was a feeling he felt many times in the past*
(Male knight): Yessir, thank you for your words of wisdom.
*The male knight bows to Ryuuji and leaves to go check up on his comrades in the backroom. The captain of the knights witnessing the exchange walks over to Ryuuji*
(Captain of knights): Thanks for bringing the kid in. We’re lucky we ran into you all the way out in this area.
(Ryuuji): I’m just glad to be of assistance.
(Captain of knights): Still, to think we would run into the legendary Blazing Knight all the way out here for a routine extermination.
(Ryuuji): *Chuckles* There’s nothing legendary about me. My days as a knight in the field are behind me.
(Captain of knights): Nonsense! People at the academy still talk about your amazing exploits. You graduated from the academy at the age of 14. Became a captain at the age of 16, became the commander of your own regiment at the age of 20, and even destroyed the nest of the Eclipse single-handedly in one night. Even veteran knights tell tales of your achievements in battle and young knights who enter the academy are inspired to be just as great as you and then some. You would have continued to have more accomplishments under your belt if you hadn’t left the field at the age of 27 and transferred to Internal Affairs.
(Ryuuji): I accomplished what I wanted to do in the field and then some. I now want to focus my attention on keeping the kingdom safe from the inside and offering my knowledge to up-and-coming knights. Besides, I still have my fair share of exploits in Internal Affairs.
*All of a sudden Ryuuji’s phone begins to ring and he answers it. He goes off into a corner to talk to whoever’s on the other line privately as the captain of the knights goes to talk to the two female knights about the night watch*
(Ryuuji): Yes. It looks like my return home will be delayed until tomorrow. What? It got moved up to tonight? No, it’s no problem. Don’t worry, I won’t do anything reckless. I love you too.
*Ryuuji hung up his phone with a determined look in his eyes just as the captain of the knights walks over to him*
(Captain of knights): Sir Kazuchika, about the night watch.
*Ryuuji runs to the window and jumps out the open window much to the shock of everyone who rush over to the window and sees that he is running to the den of the Eclipses by himself. When Ryuuji makes it to the entrance of the den he quickly gets flanked by 2 Eclipses. Ryuuji remains calm not fazed by the Eclipses and instead cracks his fingers before taking a fighting stance*
(Ryuuji): I see you’re the welcoming committee. Come. I’ll let you have the first move.
*With a mighty roar the Eclipse in front of Ryuuji charged in confidently as magical red and orange flame particles began to form in the air around his right fist until it became engulfed in flames and he uppercuts the creature square in the jaw. The Eclipse goes flying into the air, catches fire, and begins to burn in the air before completely disappearing. The Eclipse behind Ryuuji then charges but Ryuuji quickly concentrates and gathers the magical flame particles around his leg to encase it in flames. He hits the Eclipse with a blazing roundhouse kick which knocks the creature’s head off. The creature’s head lands by a tree and slowly disintegrates as does the body which had remained standing there. The flames around Ryuuji’s arm and leg disappear to reveal that they aren’t burnt. Ryuuji heads inside the cave where he quickly gains the attention of all of the Eclipses. The Eclipses and Ryuuji charge at each other as Ryuuji begins to release a flurry of fiery punches and kicks to the creatures taking them all down one by one all while shouting his moves. He takes out one Eclipse with a Blazing Kick, a high jump kick which lights his foot on fire and sends the Eclipse flying backwards in the air with the flames from Ryuuji’s kick burning a hole through the chest of the Eclipse. When Ryuuji lands on the ground, he ignites his fists on fire.
(Ryuuji): Fire Grid Form 82: Flame Knuckle Rush!
*Ryuuji runs to a group of six Eclipses and begins to unleash a barrage of rapid-fire punches on the Eclipses where they burst into flames and die. When Ryuuji finishes with them, ten Eclipses surround him ready to attack*
(Ryuuji): Fire Grid Form 219: Heat Wave!
*Ryuuji jumps into the air and slams his fist down to the ground to release a wave of fire which burns the ten Eclipses to pieces. After this attack Ryuuji points out his index fingers like guns*
(Ryuuji): Fire Grid Form 17: Pyro Bullets!
*Mini fireballs begin to come shooting out from Ryuuji’s fingers rapidly as he begins shooting down Eclipses with headshots and multiple shots in the chest. He takes down fifteen Eclipses to clear the area and continues to advance deeper into the cave. As he continues to run deeper into the cave, he sees a group of about twenty Eclipses running towards him. Stopping in his tracks he prepares for a massive attack*
(Ryuuji): Fire Grid Form 200: Roar of the Flame Dragon!
*Taking a deep breath, Ryuuji unleashes a wave of fire breath on the Eclipses burning all of them in his path instantly. When he finishes the attack, he continues to run deeper into the cave all while taking out a canister of water and drinking some*
(Ryuuji): I hate using that move, it always makes my throat dry.
*As he continues running deeper into the cave, one Eclipse almost pounces on Ryuuji from a blind spot but he rolls out of the way at the last second*
(Ryuuji): Not bad, you almost had me.
*Ryuuji smiled at the cleverness of the Eclipse to attack him from a blind spot. The Eclipse roars as forty-five Eclipses came out blocking Ryuuji’s path*
(Ryuuji): With this many of you here I must be getting close to the core of the den.
*Ryuuji lifts his hands in the air and starts to gather magical flame particles which begin to form a sphere of fire between his hands*
(Ryuuji): Fire Grid Form 490: Solar Bomb!
*Ryuuji throws the sphere of fire at the Eclipses where it explodes releasing a blast of fire which temporary blinds Ryuuji and destroys the Eclipses in his path completely. When the Solar Bomb attack ends Ryuuji continues down the path where he finally reaches the core of the den where the Eclipses’ cocoons are located. He slowly starts to approach the cocoons until he senses something above him. He quickly moves out of the way as an Eclipse comes falling from the ceiling trying to attack him. Unlike the other Eclipses this one is larger standing about thirteen feet tall*
(Ryuuji): Looks like I found their queen.
*Instead of charging foolishly at Ryuuji, the Eclipse instead starts throwing rocks at him. Ryuuji dodges the rocks as he builds up magical particles in the soles of his feet. When he builds up enough magic, flame jets begin to form and he blasts off into the air flying towards the Eclipse to land an attack. However, the Eclipse surprises him by throwing a large boulder at Ryuuji which collides with him and he goes flying back first into the ground with the boulder smashing him. The impact causes a pile of rocks to fall on top of the boulder burying Ryuuji. The Eclipse lets out a mighty roar claiming victory only for a bright light to start shining through the rocks and boulder. An explosion occurs blasting away the rocks and boulder as Ryuuji emerges unharmed and smiling all while holding a few pebbles in his left hand*
(Ryuuji): That was a pretty clever move. Now let’s see how you handle my throws.
*Ryuuji tosses the first pebble with his right hand which catches on fire flying through the air and goes through the left leg of the Eclipse bringing it down to one knee. Ryuuji throws another pebble aiming for the right leg and once again it passes through the leg of the Eclipse bringing it down to both knees. As the Eclipse screams out in pain, Ryuuji takes the final pebble and throws it at the head of the Eclipse where it takes out the left eye of the Eclipse as black blood begins to spray out rapidly.
(Ryuuji): Whoops, I curved my hand to the left. I was trying to hit you between the eyes. Sorry about that.
*Ryuuji chuckles at his mistake and begins running towards the Eclipse all while building up the magical particles in his feet once again*
(Ryuuji): Fire Grid Form 118: Pyro Windmill Triple Kick!
*Ryuuji leapt into the air and landed three flaming kicks successfully to the head of Eclipse who falls to the ground backwards as Ryuuji lands safely on the ground and gathers the magical particles into his left hand lighting it on fire for his final attack.
(Ryuuji): Fire Grid Form 327: Burning Annihilation Lance!
Ryuuji leapt into the air and a large lance made of fire begins to form around his left hand. As Ryuuji begins to fall, he drives the lance into the chest of the Eclipse destroying it entirely as the burst of flames from the attack creates a wave of fire throughout the cave destroying the cocoons and causing an explosion which blasts a hole in the ceiling of the cave. Outside of the cave, the captain along with the knights rushed to the entrance upon seeing and hearing the explosion come from the cave. They see that the entrance to the cave is blocked by the flames so they can’t get in to assess the situation. After a few seconds a silhouette appears in the flames and out comes Ryuuji unharmed*
(Captain of knights): Sir Kazuchika, are you okay?
(Ryuuji): Never better captain. The Eclipses have been taken of care of. I trust you can handle the cleanup?
*The young knights stared in amazement at what Ryuuji accomplished single-handedly*
(Captain of knights): Of course!
(Ryuuji): Great! I have to go. Thank you for all your hard work.
*Ryuuji began running off quickly from the den before making a left turn to return to the road which would lead him to the train station where he could return to the capital of Brister*
(Short female knight): I guess we won’t need reinforcements now. . .right captain?
***
*Sometime later, at a school gym at night, a group of kids in karate uniforms are taking a test to receive their yellow belts. A small boy at the age of eight with short spikey light blue hair and blue eyes goes up to take his test which is breaking a wooden board with his fist. The boy gets ready as he sees his mom and older sister sitting in the bleachers than looks to the side of the bleachers and sees Ryuuji walk in. With a smile he takes a deep breath and punches through the board passing his test. The crowd cheers for the boy as he receives his yellow belt. After bowing and receiving his yellow belt, the boy rushes off to the side of the bleachers and hugs Ryuuji.
(Blue-haired boy): Dad! You made it!
(Ryuuji): Of course I made it. I said I would.
*Ryuuji hugged his son and picked him up*
(Blue-haired boy): How’d I do, dad?
(Ryuuji): You did excellent, Ren. You did it just like we practiced. I’m very proud of you.
*As the two talk an older woman with light blue hair and brown eyes, and a little girl at the age of 10 with medium length orange hair and brown eyes walks up to them. When the little girl sees Ryuuji she runs up and hugs him.
(Orange-haired girl): Dad, you’re back!
(Ryuuji): Hey there, Erina. How’s my little girl?
*Ryuuji picked up his daughter to give her a kiss on the forehead*
(Blue-haired woman): Well, this is a surprise.
*The blue-haired woman walks up to Ryuuji to kiss him on the cheek*
(Ryuuji): Hi honey.
(Blue-haired woman): We weren’t expecting you to be home until tomorrow night.
(Ryuuji): You didn’t think I was gonna miss my son’s promotion test. As soon as you called me, I finished my work early and ran here as fast as possible. Sorry if I smell a little.
*Ryuuji’s stomach began to growl from hunger*
(Ryuuji): Looks like in my rush I forgot to grab something to eat. Who’s up for some ice cream?
*The kids shouted with excitement as the blue-haired woman smiled happily. The family begins to walk out of the gym and into the blue-haired woman’s silver mini-van where she drives them to the nearest ice cream shop*
SHA
*Author’s Note: Here’s our third preview. What did you think about that twist at the end of him having a family? I bet you didn’t see that coming. I wanted to go in a different direction with Ryuuji’s character. Unlike the previous characters who were a loner and businessman, I wanted Ryuuji to be a good family man who was respectful and loving. Despite the responsibilities of his job and reputation I wanted to show how much he values his family and does his best to balance work and his family life. He’s been at the top, had his fun, knows who he is, and what’s important to him. Now that I’ve introduced some of the male cast I think it’s time I shift gear and focus on the female cast for the next preview which will be out near the end of the month if not early February. Thanks for reading, hope you enjoyed and look forward to the next one*