PART V-THE AFTERMATH
As the sun climbed higher, the remaining mages successfully saved everyone from the town. The houses, buildings, streets were all shattered into pieces of concrete. Suddenly, an explosion rocked in the west of the town.
The remaining mages that were surveying throughout the town rushed towards the explosion.
Kagutsuchi:Everyone! To the west! NOW!
The mage with orange hair and a coat with fire patterns commanded the remaining mages to the explosion.
The mages encountered something strange at the explosion.
They saw an anomaly that had a bloody-red body savoring corpses of fallen mages, wet and torn apart, blood dripping from its mouth filled with sharp fangs.
A mage wearing a purple coat, with a western hat on top.
Isoto:What the hell is that?!
Isoto bites his fingernails, he lowers his head and hides behind Yuhi.
Yuhi:I have no clue either.
The mage with red hair and glasses responded.
The anomaly turned its half-glowing red and half-glowing blue head behind, capturing the mages in its sight.
Isoto:GOD! I'm gonna have nightmares about its face...
Kei:Doesn't matter about its appearance, there's no going back now.
A muscular mage in white shirt stained with soot and blood pumped his fist.
Yuhi:(It's presence...it's overwhelming, it feels like my organs are slowly dying out.)
Yuhi backed up, his hands began to tremble.
Isoto:Wait...his face- have I seen it before?
Isoto gazed at the anomaly.
Kagutsuchi:That is Kaito Takahashi, step away. I'll take care of this.
Kagutsuchi pushed Isoto back, while keeping his gaze at Kaito.
Kei:Kaito Takahashi?! The kid who was involved in the breach?!
Kagutsuchi:Reports have stated that Kaito was turned into an anomaly, we are the first ones to find him.
Kei:Are you sure it's smart to fight him? Right here?! Tenacious Inferno?!
Kagutsuchi:I'll show you exactly why they call me the Tenacious Inferno.
Inferno walks towards Kaito, the ground vibrating as every step he takes.
Kaito:You think you're worth my time? Prove it then.
When he spoke, his voice was layered—human and monstrous, speaking in unison.
Kagutsuchi:I'll let you feel the true wrath of the Tenacious Inferno!
Inferno's body lit up with flames, his orange eyes began glowing, the heat melted the ground into molten.
Kaito:Very well.
Kagutsuchi:You'll be burnt into dust before you could even react.
The flames on Inferno grew larger and fiercer, as he crossed his arms.
Kaito:Prove it then.
Inferno smirks.
Kagutsuchi:You're underestimating me...
Inferno punched Kaito with his blazing fist, lighting up Kaito in fire instantly.
Kagutsuchi:Pathetic, you didn't even stand a chance.
Kaito was melting in the fire, the fire tore through his flesh as his bones were revealed.
Kaito:I feel sorry for you, Tenacious Inferno.
Suddenly, the lifeless skeleton of Kaito regrew his flesh, as his eyes began glowing, both locked onto Inferno.
Kagutsuchi:Not dead yet, huh?
Inferno fires a beam of flame onto Kaito, the flame ripping through his flesh again.
Kagutsuchi:(Wait! He's gotten stronger than before...)
He was slightly stronger than before.
His flesh regenerated—thicker this time.
Kagutsuchi:(Wait...does this mean...everytime his body regenerates, his body grows stronger?)
Inferno's eyes widened.
Kaito:My body's limitless!
With enhanced durability, he began adapting.
Kagutsuchi:Don't get your hopes too high! Kaito Takahashi!
Inferno continuously fired the beam at Kaito.
Kaito:You realize what you're doing, don't you? Pain makes me stronger.
Kaito walks towards Inferno despite being burned by the beam, his body kept regenerating as the beam got stronger and hotter.
Kaito:No matter how hard you try...it is all useless!
Kagutsuchi:Damn it!
Kaito's body managed to fully adapt to flames.
Kagutsuchi:(No...this can't be...he's too persistent.)
Inferno backed up, his flame grew weaker, his clenched fists turned into watery hands of sweat.
Kagutsuchi:Everyone! RUN!
Isoto:What about you?!
Kagutsuchi:I'll defeat him no matter what...he might've defeated me in power, but not my spirit!
Yuhi:We'll call for backup!
The other mages ran to get backup, screams echoed throughout the town.
Kagutsuchi:(How do I stop his regeneration?)
Kaito:What are you gonna do now?
Kagutsuchi:Dragon's Breath: Hellsnipe!
Inferno flicks his fingers, firing a thread that pierced through Kaito's heart, the thread transforming itself into multiple strings, restraining Kaito.
Kagutsuchi:It should happen...right NOW!
The thread exploded, flames were erupting outwards, and Kaito's organs were all destroyed. The explosion cracked the ground, flames were spreading everywhere, and Kaito's body was sliced into pieces.
Kaito:That was a strong move, I admit.
The flames burned through Kaito's flesh and bones, even his adapted skin.
Kagutsuchi:And now for the final blow! Dragon's Breath: Overkill!
He slammed both palms into the ground.
The earth trembled. Molten cracks spread outward.
Then—A roar shook the sky.A dragon erupted from the flames—massive, serpentine, completely formed from fire.
It coiled above them, eyes blazing, heat radiating in waves that turned the air itself to shimmer.
Flame spikes erupted everywhere.
Everything touched turned to ash instantly.
The ground melted into molten rivers.
Even in the flames, Kaito forced himself to regenerate, the flame was strong; but Kaito's adaptation was stronger.
His body became thicker, the flames were unable to tear through his skin.
Kagutsuchi:(How is he not dead yet?! This is impossible! No one has ever survived the overkill!)
Kaito:That's all? I expected the sun, you've only given me a candle.
Kagutsuchi's fist trembled. His ultimate technique—the one that had ended wars—was treated like nothing.
Kagutsuchi:Dragon's Breath: Hellstorm!
Inferno creates a blade out of flames, lunging forward to Kaito.
Kaito:Fighting close-range now?
Kaito stopped the blade from piercing his stomach, overpowering Inferno.
Kagutsuchi:How...are you this strong?!
Inferno pushed further, fiery explosions rocked the area, the shockwave from the explosion cracked the ground into complex shapes. Everything near was melted, as the blade pushed Kaito back, flames were erupting towards Kaito. The clash's energy created a fiery beam up into the sky, bits of flame fell from the sky. A cylinder ground was left in the battleground, lava rising upwards to the both of them.
Kagutsuchi:(It's hopeless if I keep fighting like this, it'll only make him stronger!)
Inferno uses his palm and fires a fiery thread, the thread surrounding Kaito's limbs, restraining him completely.
Kagutsuchi:(Now's the chance to strike!)
Inferno uses his full strength, successfully piercing through Kaito's stomach. The impact detonated the cylinder, shattering it into pieces. Kaito exploded from the inside, his charred, burning flesh scattered everywhere in small pieces. As his skull dropped into the lava along with his body parts. Inferno manages to leap outwards with his last surge of energy.
Kagutsuchi:Finally...have I defeated him?
Inferno collapsed. The great Tenacious Inferno was now just a man, broken on the scorched earth.
Kagutsuchi:Looks like I've burned myself out...for good.
His voice was a dry rasp, the sound of embers crumbling to ash.
The legendary flames that once danced at his command were gone, leaving only the bitter smell of his own charred flesh and the deep, chilling cold of absolute exhaustion seeping into his bones. He had sacrificed not just his energy, but the very fire that defined him.
Inferno's eyes were closed, his breathing shallow. He didn't see the lava bubble. He didn't see the charred, skeletal hand—now next to a cooling, black rock.
Kaito pulled himself out. His charred skeleton was battered, smoking. His regeneration was sluggish. Flesh grew over his bones with sharp, wet sounds—slower than before, but still inevitable.
Then a shadow fell over him.
Mr. Creative stood there, chains coiled around his arms, grin gone. His expression was serious for the first time.
Mr. Creative:You're persistent, I'll give you that.
He cracked his knuckles.
Mr.Creative:Most things stay dead after an Overkill.
Kaito pulled himself fully from the lava, flesh still regenerating.
Kaito:I will kill... every one of you mages...
Mr. Creative's eyes narrowed.
Mr. Creative:Yeah. I don't think so.
Kaito:I'll get stronger! Just wait...
Kaito fully regenerates his body, both his bloodshot eyes locked on Mr.Creative.
Kaito:Don't get cocky even if my regeneration's damned.
Mr.Creative:All the best to you, Kaito Takahashi.
Mr.Creative creates two battleaxes, wielding both axes with both of his hands.
Kaito clenched his fist, as Mr.Creative leaped towards him.
Mr.Creative stabs Kaito with his axes, the thick skin of Kaito's manages to bounce the axe back. Mr.Creative backed up.
Mr.Creative:Whoa-Interesting.
Mr.Creative creates a large hammer with a sharp point.
Kaito:Damn!
Mr.Creative swings his hammer, the sharp point stabbed through Kaito's flesh.
Mr.Creative:And now to top it off with a sweet explosion!
The hammer detonated Kaito, sending him flying away.
Kaito:(Damn! He's strong!)
Mr.Creative creates gauntlets made with obsidian, as he wears it to engage with Kaito in close combat.
The impact of the explosion sent a ripple through the air. Kaito didn't just fly back; he became a human projectile, his body shearing through the remaining foundations of the suburban houses like a cannonball through paper.
Mr.Creative's body surges with energy, as he leaps forward to Kaito.
Kaito:(There's no point in fighting him! I need to get back to Wilson!)
Mr.Creative swings razor-sharp gauntlets on Kaito, battering his body with swift swings.
Kaito:Enough!
Kaito hardens his full body and punches Mr.Creative.
The impact of his hardened punch sent Mr.Creative flying far behind. The punch shattered his ribcage bones and knocked him out cold.
The reinforcements of the mages arrived at the blazing battleground, multiple elite mages were in the team.
Kaito:(The reinforcements are here! I must leave now or I might lose!)
Kaito's body shuddered. The energy he'd saved for regeneration—the last dregs of Wilson's gift—he now forced into his legs. The bones thickened, the muscles bulged with grotesque, crystalline growths. He didn't leap; he uncoiled. The ground didn't just crater; it imploded, then erupted in a shockwave of shattered rock and dust, knocking the approaching mages off their feet. He became a dark streak against the sunset, not fleeing, but propelled by his own violent expenditure.
Elite Mage:Look! Is that the anomaly you are describing about?!
The elite mage pointed at Kaito while he was in the air fleeing.
Isoto:Yes! That's Prince Kaito!
Elite Mage:He's too fast!
Yuhi:We should prioritise saving lives instead of chasing him!
Elite Mage:You both go check on Mr.Creative! I'll check on Tenacious Inferno!
Multiple teams of mages arrived with loud footsteps, everyone was scattered around in the team.
Medic:Keep out from the way! Please!
The medics are rushing towards Inferno and Mr.Creative, the place was crowded with mages and medics.
Medic:Their pulse is fading! Quick!
A medic felt their pulse. The team of medics rushed and carried Inferno along with Mr.Creative to the ambulance, with their wet faces full of sweat.
As the sun began to set, the mages were busy surveying the town, making sure no anomalies remained in the town.
Mr.Creative and Tenacious Inferno were eventually saved, but were in critical condition.
Elite Mage:We barely made it on time, if not they would've ended up worse. Phew!
The elite mage wipes off his sweat and sighed.
As the sun disappeared into the mountains, the town was dead silent, fire was still burning through the houses and the streets, blood was splashed everywhere.
Even though the mages lost to the anomalies, they still managed to save the town while dealing with the anomalies. Most of the citizens were saved without being injured. At the cost of that, multiple sacrifices have to be made.
-The Void-
George:Where am I?! What is this place?!
My eyes snapped open, I was in a place full of umbra. I couldn't feel anything. There was absolutely no sound in here. It's just an...empty void.
???:Hello George, I'm glad to meet you once again.
The voice was familiar, it spoke to me in unison. A chill shivered down to my spine.
As I turned around, my life was presented in front of my eyes, from the beginning where I stumbled across the relic.
I saw it, the exact mysterious silhouette who appeared not only in my house, but also in a flashback.
George:Who are you?! Why do you keep appearing?! What is your goal?!
???:That's not important for now, we're in a "memory". Every second matters.
George:What do you possibly want from me?!
???:My goal is simple. I want you to work with me.
George:Work...with you?
???:Yes, your power has amazing potential. With your power and mine...We will be unstoppable.
George:No way! I don't even know who you are!
???:You've lost enough, think about it. Don't you want power?
My life flashed before my eyes, my body began fading away, as my vision was getting blurry.
???:Touch my hand, and we shall go together.
The mysterious silhouette pulled his hand out.
???:I'm giving you a great offer, George Fujimura. You're making a big mistake.
His voice changed into a deep, layered voice.
???:Very well. If you're not accepting the offer, I'll kill you myself. Count your days, George Fujimura.
The mysterious figure faded away, it was just me in the "memory" left.
Light began to penetrate through the barriers of the "memory".
-Hospital-
My eyes snapped open, I saw my battered body covered in bandages lying on the hospital bed. Was it all just a dream?
George:Was that...a message?
I was sweating, the lights were off as it was midnight. The curtains blocked the moonlight, and my bed felt warmer than usual. I was staggered, my pants were wet, soggy and cold. I realized I had pissed on the hospital bed.
(What did he want from me?)
(Who is he?)
I gasped for air, my pillow was wet. I glanced at my palm, it was bleeding. The blood stained the bed and I felt extremely dizzy.
(Join me.)
Two words. "Join me" repeated in my head, and my vision became dark. I collapsed.
End Of Volume 1:Arrival Of The Longman
(Hello readers! This is a message from the author, this chapter will be rewritten soon. If you're enjoying this, you could leave a comment. That will be appreciated! Thank you! This will be the official ending of Volume 1 of Aether Riftbound.)