"Hey Marcel, are you listening to me?" Jackson shouted.
"I can hear you perfectly fine," Marcel replied, his face pale.
"What's with that look? Don't give up yet—there's always a way to find them. I've still got a few tricks up my sleeve. But first, we need to get the hell out of here, then we can plan our next move," Jackson said.
"Whatever it is... I just don't want to die here or get lost forever. I can't imagine life if we can't get back home—it'll be a living hell," Marcel replied.
"Don't worry, Marcel. I got this under control. Let's get rid of this wind freak first," Jackson assured.
"Are you done with your little chat? Now it's time to go home," said the man who had emerged from the wind.
"Who the hell are you? We're not going anywhere with you!" Jackson snapped.
"It's not a request, kids. I'm taking you with or without your permission," the man said calmly. With just two fingers, he cast a wind-based spell that paralyzed both boys, locking their bodies in place. He then began to levitate them toward him.
"So oppressive… we can't move," Marcel gasped.
"This is bad," Jackson muttered. "I knew he was strong, but not this strong. He's almost on the same level as my papa…"
As they were drawn closer, the man gripped them both by the neck.
"Smile, kiddos. We're going home," he said.
Suddenly, Renshical arrows burst in from all directions. The man quickly summoned a tornado around himself and the boys, deflecting the attack.
"You persistent fool! What are you doing here?!" the man shouted.
"Don't be mad, Daimo. I had no choice," a voice called from below.
"If you keep interfering, I'll kill you without hesitation!" Daimo—the name of the wind-user—growled.
"I'd love to see you try. If you still remember your past life, you'd recall you never beat me in a duel," said the voice from below.
"I don't have time for your nonsense. I've got a delivery to make," Daimo replied.
"That's exactly why I'm here—to stop you," the man said, revealing himself as Bash. He drew an arrow, concentrated his Renshi, and fired a massive shot at Daimo.
Daimo barely dodged the arrow while still holding Jackson and Marcel.
"Let go of the kids, Daimo. No one has to get hurt," Bash demanded.
"If anyone's getting hurt, it's you!" Daimo roared. He released the boys, letting them fall from the sky.
"Ahhhhhhh!" they screamed.
Bash quickly fired two arrows, which grew in size and gently caught the boys mid-air, placing them safely on the ground.
"Amazing... I never imagined someone could use arrows like this," Marcel said in awe.
"These aren't ordinary arrows. They're made from Renshi. That's a very advanced skill. He's probably a pro darkside knight," Jackson explained.
"We're the worst match-up for each other—your wind versus my arrows," Bash said, smiling.
"Don't smile too much, Bash. I'll end your misery soon. You're pathetic—just arrows and no close combat. What a weak excuse for a Shinra," Daimo mocked.
"Don't get cocky. You know nothing about me," Bash replied calmly.
"Your smile disgusts me. I want to see it crumble. I want you to feel fear—know I'm superior. I am Dan Daimo, the son of the wind! Your arrows can't pierce me!" he shouted, crafting a sword from the wind.
"So that's your plan... but sorry to disappoint. You weren't the only one training close combat," Bash said, transforming his bow into a sparking blue sword.
"Let's see who's better in close combat!" Daimo roared, diving down.
"Hey kids! You might want to get out of here. This is going to be rough," Bash warned as he activated Switch Mode.
---
About Switch Mode
Switch Mode activates when a Shinra reaches a certain stage of evolution. It allows the user to instantly move to any place within their line of sight or memory near by. This power emerges at Phase Zero of cultivation—a state where your level of becoming strong becomes limitless learning limitless skills. Few achieve Phase Zero, but those who fails to breakthrough to the phase zero of cultivation. Forces themselves to use switch mode by practicing a advance skill call the "Self Spells" also allows the Shinra to cultivate unlimited skills though using many skills at once requires mastery. Shinras with Phase Zero possess nearly three times the Renshi of those without it including Self spells users.
---
Bash and Daimo clashed, switching rapidly and exchanging sword blows. Jackson and Marcel backed away.
"Let's go now, Jack! This is our chance!" Marcel said urgently.
"I want to, but this man might help us find my papa. If we run, we may never find him. Let's wait till the battle ends," Jackson replied.
"Don't be foolish! What if he loses? Then we're screwed!" Marcel argued.
"Look closely—they're evenly matched," Jackson said.
As Bash and Daimo continued their high-speed battle, switching and clashing in bursts of energy.
---
Meanwhile, in the Kingdom of Sunflower
Lyon and Sasaki arrived in the capital city after teleporting.
"Come on, Exca, put your nose to work. The sun's going down," Lyon said.
"Roger that," Sasaki replied, dropping down from a rooftop with Lyon.
"We're in the capital now. I'm sure the special darkside knight already sensed our presence," Lyon thought.
"I can't detect the kid's Renshi. He's not here yet. We'll have to wait," Sasaki said.
"Phew, finally a break..." Lyon sighed. "Let's eat something."
"Not a bad idea," Sasaki replied.
"Then let's go, Exca," Lyon said.
"Are you really hungry, or are you wasting time?" Sasaki asked, his tone shifting. It was Exca taking control again.
"Stop doing that! If you keep switching in and out like this, Sasaki's going to notice. I'm grabbing food,suit yourself," Lyon said and walked toward a nearby restaurant.
"Damn that Lyon," Exca muttered, releasing the full-body takeover as Sasaki resumed control.
"Wait for me, partner. How long have I been standing here?" Sasaki asked.
"Few seconds. You just blacked out," Lyon replied casually.
They both entered the restaurant and ordered ramen and beef.
---
Meanwhile, in the Kingdom of Eminence
Alfie, Rebekah, and Lucy stopped at a hot spring. Lucy booked a room nearby for the night.
"This is so unfair! I don't want a bath anymore—this place is full of old men!" Alfie shouted, dunking his head in the water.
"I think Alfie doesn't like this place. That's why he's acting out," Lucy said from the other part of the female hot spring spot,a wall separates the male hot spring from female's,but they can still hear Alfie voice.
"He just can't do anything alone. He's used to being with us," Rebekah replied.
"Oh? Want him to join us in the bath?" Lucy teased, laughing.
"No! That's not what I meant, Master!" Rebekah blushed.
"Why's your face all red?" Lucy smirked.
"It's nothing! Don't get the wrong idea!" Rebekah said and stormed out.
"Guess I went too far," Lucy chuckled.
"Hey honey badger, you're out already?" Alfie said as Rebekah approached.
She gave him a hard punch to the face, sending him flying.
"Ow! What was that for, you psycho?!" Alfie shouted.
"You ruined our bath with your yelling. You're hopeless without me or Master!" Rebekah yelled back.
"Don't act like you've kept me alive. I lived ten years without you or Master. Don't think I've been holding on because of you guys,you know nothing about me," Alfie said, eyes serious. He turned and walked to the motel alone.
"That wasn't nice, Rebekah... I think you went overboard this time," Lucy said softly.