Kuraido : Hey! Shinji!!, where did you go?, you are almost one and half hours missing, and here you are back again in the place where you disappear.
Shinji (He scratched his head) : well...HEHEHE...
Light Sabre : ohh kiddo where did you go?, young kuraido panicked when you vanished earlier.
Shinji (He smiled) :I apologize sir, my arcane glitched, anyways sirwell sir I'll tell you later.
Light : forget that...actually I'm here because I will guide you home. you did a great job. Young Tenryu!, good job but please be honest to your feelings. And you young shinji, I know that you... already know the truth.
A half an hour past. Shinji Got home safely. Shinji thinking about his power. (What is this my mana is overflowing.) He snap is finger...and somewhat, somehow a dark purple gate appeared inside his house.
Shinji: oh shit!. This is amazing!
He stepped in... And then.. (power flickering).
"Tch. I need to grow stronger"(the flick of mana stopped)
He saw the ambush but didn't flinch.
The portal shimmered with an eerie light as Shinji stepped through, his black-violet aura pulsing with restrained energy. He emerged into a vast, desolate arena, the air thick with anticipation and ancient power. Before him stood the Eight Legendary Yokai Knights, their imposing figures radiating disdain and skepticism.
Kurogitsune, the Black Fox Emperor, sneered, his nine flaming tails flickering.
> "So this is our 'king'? A mere child cloaked in shadows? I expected more."
Shiragami, the Pale Warden, stood silently, his cracked white armor glowing faintly.
Aokami, the Verdant Wolf Sovereign, growled.
> "He doesn't even smell of battle. This is an insult."
Shinji clenched his fists, eyes narrowing. The words pierced deep. He had clawed his way to power—but still, they saw him as a pretender.
> "You doubt me?" he said, voice low. "Then let me show you the strength forged from despair."
Suddenly, Abyssal Surge activated. Shinji's aura exploded, casting the arena in a black-violet hue. The ground trembled as he charged directly at Kurogitsune.
---
Skill: Rotterdam Rampage
A blur of movement—Shinji unleashed a barrage of kinetic punches, so fast Kurogitsune's illusions faltered.
> "You're faster than you look, but speed alone won't save you," the fox emperor growled.
---
Skill: Utrecht Uprising
Shinji soared into the air, then slammed down, releasing a shockwave that disrupted the footing of the knights.
---
Aokami howled, calling a lightning storm.
> "Feel the wrath of nature!"
---
Skill: Eindhoven Eclipse
Shinji vanished into shadows, reappearing behind Aokami with a devastating blow to the back.
---
Shiragami stepped forward, still composed.
> "Your tricks won't work on me."
---
Skill: Amsterdam Annihilation
A massive wave of energy burst from Shinji's core. Shiragami raised his shield, blocking it—but cracks spidered across the surface.
> "Impressive," Shiragami murmured.
---
Akahime, the Crimson Blade Princess, laughed joyfully.
> "Finally, a worthy opponent!"
---
Skill: Leiden Laceration
Their blades clashed in a flurry of strikes—Shinji met her speed and precision with raw instinct and timing.
---
Onibashira, the Demon Pillar, bellowed and swung his giant club.
---
Skill: Groningen Grind
Shinji ducked the swing and countered with an uppercut that made the giant stumble.
---
Yureihime, the Phantom Mist Empress, whispered:
> "Can you fight what you cannot see?"
Mist engulfed the field.
---
Skill: Delft Dusk
Shinji focused and struck precisely through the fog—shattering it and revealing Yureihime's hidden position.
---
From above, Raiōmaru, the Thunder Sovereign Beast, descended.
> "Face the judgment of the heavens!"
---
Skill: Haarlem Havoc
Shinji absorbed the lightning and redirected it back with a blast that forced Raiōmaru to retreat, roaring.
---
Walther, the Fallen Moon Knight, finally moved.
> "You've proven your strength. But can you withstand the full might of the moon?"
---
Skill: Maastricht Maelstrom
Shinji summoned a vortex of raw energy, colliding with Walther's lunar wave. The arena shook from the impact.
---
When the dust cleared, the knights stood battered but quiet. Kurogitsune chuckled:
> "Perhaps you are our king after all."
Shiragami gave a solemn nod.
> "You have our acknowledgment."
Shinji, bruised but unbowed, replied:
> "I didn't fight to prove myself to you. I fought because I had to. Because I won't let anyone else define my worth."
The arena fell silent. In that moment, Shinji didn't just earn their respect—he earned his place as their king.
As the dust settled and Shinji stood tall in the aftermath of the brutal battle, the air around him felt heavier—but not with hostility. It was reverence. One by one, the Eight Yokai Knights stepped forward, their presence now calmer, more solemn.
Kurogitsune, the Black Fox Emperor, stepped first. His nine tails flickered low in respect.
> "I am Kurogitsune. Trickster, warrior, and judge of worth. I led this trial... not out of hatred, but necessity. The title of King cannot be inherited—it must be earned. You survived my illusions, shattered our doubts, and struck with conviction. You are not a shadow of the past—you are something new."
Next came Shiragami, the Pale Warden, standing tall with his cracked shield in hand.
> "I am Shiragami. Keeper of law, protector of legacy. We did not attack you in cruelty, Shinji. We needed to know if you would break under pressure... or rise. You rose."
Aokami, the Verdant Wolf Sovereign, gave a respectful bow.
> "A warrior's worth is shown through battle. I am Aokami. I wanted to see the fire in your heart, not the crown on your head. I saw it… and I honor it."
Akahime, the Crimson Blade Princess, spun her blade and sheathed it with a smirk.
> "I'm Akahime. Blood dances and blades sing. We didn't want a king who hides behind titles or fear. We needed to see your edge—sharp, unyielding. And we did."
Onibashira, the Demon Pillar, thundered with laughter.
> "Ha! You hit harder than I expected, runt. I'm Onibashira. Strength respects strength. That's the only truth I live by. Now? You've got mine."
Yureihime, the Phantom Mist Empress, hovered quietly before speaking, her voice a whisper on the wind.
> "I tested your mind, not just your might. I am Yureihime. Doubt clings to new kings like fog to graves. But you... pierced through. You cleared the mist within us all."
Raiōmaru, the Thunder Sovereign Beast, nodded solemnly.
> "I am Raiōmaru. Stormcaller. Protector. For centuries, we waited for a sign... not just of power, but of balance. You redirected lightning with will. You've become that sign."
Finally, Walther, the Fallen Moon Knight, stepped forward, kneeling slowly.
> "I am Walther. Watcher from the dark. Bearer of the burden when the night grows long. I fought you not out of malice—but to see if you'd carry the burdens we once did. You do. And more."
The knights stood as one now, forming a semi-circle around Shinji.
Kurogitsune raised his hand.
> "The ambush wasn't betrayal—it was a rite. A final crucible. The last king... died with his convictions untested. We swore we'd never follow blind faith again."
Shiragami added:
> "Now, you've walked through the fire. And we no longer see a boy pretending to be king. We see a king who was forged by battle."
They knelt, one by one, as the black-violet energy around Shinji dimmed, now steady and calm.
> "Shinji," Kurogitsune declared, "King of the Abyss, Ruler of the Yokai and prince of moon elvens… You have our blades, our power, and our loyalty."
Shinji's fists unclenched.
He had come to prove he belonged.
Now, they would follow him—not because he inherited the crown… but because he earned it.
[To be continued.]