Let me tell you how Ryujin's plan worked. It wasn't just reckless improvisation—it relied on a natural phenomenon. Fires, especially large and hot ones, rapidly heat the surrounding air, causing it to rise. As that hot air ascends, it creates a low-pressure zone at the base, pulling in colder air from around it to fill the void. That incoming wind—clashing with the updraft—can spiral into a firenado or Flame Vortex.
Ryujin used that to his advantage. By setting the perimeter alight and waiting for the wind to respond, he created the perfect storm. And when that fire-whipped wind surged through, it overwhelmed the earth-type Seeles. The elements turned against them. Then, with a timed wave of salt water, Ryujin killed the flame and scattered the remnants.
The silence afterward was almost surreal.
The three of them stood outside the café, catching their breath.
Ayro: We seriously need a wind user, Ryujin.
Ryujin (exhaling): Yeah... but South America's a bit too far. And it's not like we're cleared to go near there. So... pray for luck.
Far in the woods, the same silhouette from before observed them through binoculars. A faint smirk played on his lips.
"Not bad... though ultimately futile."
Suddenly, rustling from the underbrush pulled his attention downward.
"Ah... some more practice."
Back at the café, Ayro stood quietly, still staring toward the woods.
The seawater Ryujin had summoned slowly retreated back into the ocean, leaving behind slick patches on the broken road. Ayro swept away a few remaining Seeles with the faintest gust he could muster using his shadow powers, mimicking wind just enough to get the job done.
As it all settled, Itoshi asked.
"Hey... if they come back, what do we do? We've burned everything we had."
As he scratched the bottom of his chin.
To which Ryujin replied,
"We pray."
Itoshi blinked, before he jolted back in confusion. As Ryujin retreated back into the cafe.
"What?! You're joking, right?"
Ayro: Nope. He's serious.
Itoshi nearly panicked.
Ryujin: Relax. After what we did, they'll be cautious. They'll think we can take them all out again.
Ayro: Which we definitely can't. Not again. Not like that.
Itoshi: So we just... sit around and wait?
Ryujin sat down by the door frame.
"We stay alert. That's all we can do."
He paused.
"By the way, how's your sister still sleeping through all of this?"
Itoshi then looked away, seemingly looking for an answer in the cold walls.
"Things happened."
They stood in silence at the café entrance for a few minutes, letting the tension settle. Then Ryujin's expression shifted as a thought crossed his mind. Something important. Something he should've asked before taking this mission.
He pulled out his comms and made a call.
"Hello? Hachi-san?"
Hachi (casual): Yo! Ryujin.
Ryujin: How long are we supposed to stay in Hedo Cape?
Hachi: Until every Seele in the area's been flushed out.
Ryujin: Are they all earth-types?
Hachi: Most likely.
Ryujin suddenly jolted up, hearing the answer from the man handling them.
"You didn't think to mention that earlier?! We don't even have a wind user!"
Hachi then sarcastically replied,
"You didn't ask."
Ryujin gritted his teeth, slightly annoyed. But he kept his cool and he took a deep breath.
"Unbelievable..."
"Oh, and we've picked up traces of unusual wind patterns there. Records go back to 2157."
Click.
The line went dead.
"Hachi-san?! Damn it..."
Ayro then walked towards Ryujin.
"What happened?"
Ryujin face palmed, brows furrowed and eyes closed.
"He's messing with us again."
Ayro looked down as he shook his head, eyes closed.
"Figured."
Silence fell. Yet the confusion lingering in Itoshi's eyes refused to disappear.
"Okay... but seriously, what's going on?"
[3:30am]
Itoshi had dozed off by the front door, sitting with his back against the frame. His head hung low, breaths soft and steady. The quiet night wrapped around the café like a blanket, save for the distant crash of waves against Hedo's jagged rocks.
Ayro remained awake, eyes half-lidded as he focused on the subtle shifts in the air—on movement only he could sense.
"Hey. Ryujin."
He whispered.
Beside him, Ryujin had his head down, trying to rest — but he quickly raised it to reply.
"Yeah?"
"There's a large cluster of Seeles... southwest from here. All packed into one area."
Ryujin raised a brow.
"That's not normal."
Ayro: Exactly. And here's the weird part... I feel someone in the middle of it.
Ryujin: Someone?
Ayro: Yeah. A person. Their aura—it moves like wind.
Ryujin turned slightly, intrigued.
Ayro then chuckled.
"Guess one of us really said a powerful prayer."
Ryujin scoffed.
"Gods don't exist."
"Mmhm. Keep preaching."
Ayro paused.
"Wanna meet our mysterious wind user?"
Ayro expected Ryujin to quickly agree, but to his surprise, Ryujin did not.
"Nah. If he's smart enough to mess with Seeles like that, he doesn't need us hovering around."
Ayro shrugged it off.
"Fair enough."
He took a breath and he continued.
"I'm gonna nap a bit."
Ryujin then sat down once more, as he looked at Ayro.
"Go ahead."
Ayro leaned back against the wall, arms crossed, and let sleep take him. His breathing soon joined Itoshi's in the soft rhythm of temporary peace.
Outside, the full moon cast silver light over Hedo Cape, reflecting off the sea's surface. The tide had risen, and waves slammed against the rocks with fierce persistence. The wind that whispered through the trees was cool and constant—like it carried a secret.
Ryujin sat alone by the edge of the old parking lot, staring out toward the horizon. The salty air brushed his face as he listened to the distant roar of the ocean and the faint rustle of leaves.
"Tell me... what's next?"
He whispered softly to the air.
[4:03am]
Ryujin stood up and walked toward the back of the café. The scorched remains of the bushes crackled beneath his feet, still warm from the earlier blaze.
"The fire did more damage than I expected... I'll need a backup plan. Something—final."
He quietly muttered to himself.
A sudden "psst" echoed from nearby.
Ryujin (sharply): Who's there?
Unknown voice: Someone trying to kill you wouldn't tell you who he is.
To which Ryujin dryly asked.
"So I assume you're not trying to kill me... since you're still talking."
A gust of wind suddenly brushed past him. Instinct took over—Ryujin whipped out a small blade from his pocket and spun, sensing the incoming strike just in time.
"What do you want?"
He blocked the strangers attack just before he could slice his throat.
The stranger scoffed as he gave a small compliment to Ryujin.
"Nice reflexes."
Ryujin retaliated with a quick push, forcing the stranger back a few paces.
"Nice katana."
The stranger raised his blade, seemingly admiring it's beauty.
"Thanks. It was my grandpa's."
Once again, with no warning. The hooded wind user lunged forward. Steel met steel as the two clashed, the force of their duel throwing gusts of wind and water droplets into the air.
"He's fast. Ayro might've sensed him earlier..."
Ryujin thought to himself.
"Wind, huh?"
The stranger pressed forward, swinging with precision. Ryujin blocked each strike, his brows furrowed.
"That's right. Got more questions?"
Their battle paused for a short time.
"Why are you here? What do you want?"
The stranger replied, as he pressed Ryujin more and more.
"Shouldn't I be asking that? This is my playground."
Ryujin clenched his jaw, sparks bursting from the grinding blades and showering their faces.
"We're here to wipe out the Seeles."
They kept fighting, blades glinting in the moonlight.
"WESCU?"
The stranger asked.
"UWDS."
The hooded stranger clicked his tongue, Frustrated.
"Tch. Screw you."
Ryujin abruptly stepped back, pausing the fight.
"Problem with that?"
Stranger: Plenty.
They lunged again.
Meanwhile, inside the café, Itoshi stirred. Rubbing his eyes, he peeked out and saw the battle.
"What the—who's he fighting?!"
He shook Ayro awake.
"Ayro! Look!"
Ayro opened one eye, glanced outside, and watched the duel calmly.
Itoshi (in awe): I can't even see them properly... Can you?
Ayro peeked with Itoshi. Just a single look, he pulled a sly grin.
"Ryujin's holding back."
Itoshi turned to Ayro.
"What?! How can you tell?"
Ayro sat back down as he crossed his arms.
"Just watch. Oh—and Seeles incoming."
"What?! Shouldn't you tell them?!"
Ayro then grinned.
"I'm curious how this ends."
As Ayro spoke, the duel slowed. Both fighters were panting, their blades lowered slightly.
"You're wasting your strength and skill with that worthless organization."
The stranger argued.
"Got a problem with UWDS?"
Ryujin replied as he wiped his sweat.
Meanwhile, Itoshi continued to push his ears to the cold wall, trying to catch a voice.
"What are they talking about?"
Ayro (Deadpan): Beats me. Can't hear clearly either.
Suddenly, the stranger turned his head sharply, sensing something.
"Playtime's over. You three—leave."
Ryujin gripped his small dagger as he smiled.
"Make me."
The stranger pointed his blade to the direction where the beast are coming, and he argued.
"These are earth-type Seeles. You can't do anything to stop them."
"And how exactly do you know that?"
Ryujin shot,
The stranger clenched his jaw.
"I've lived here for nine years."
"Nine years... That lines up with Hachi-san's notes.. 2157... twelve years ago."
Ryujin thought to himself.
Ryujin then laughed, As he mocked the man.
"Nine years all alone out here? Talking about wasting "my strength and skill" and you're out here."
The man gripped his blade as he walked towards Ryujin.
"Watch your mouth, wet boy."
The stranger grabbed Ryujin by the neck and pressed his katana against his throat.
"Go ahead. Do it."
After a pause, the stranger let go and turned away. Without a word, he sprinted toward the oncoming Seeles. Ryujin adjusted his tie and followed. They stopped at a hill overlooking the approaching swarm.
"I was going to prove a point... but maybe there's nothing to prove."
"You hate UWDS that much?"
Ryujin thought to himself before he smiled.
From behind, Ayro and Itoshi moved closer, careful not to be seen.
The stranger scanned the horizon as Ryujin followed behind him.
"You've got a flame user?"
Ayro and Itoshi flinched but stayed hidden.
Ryujin stood beside the man.
"We do. And if you don't join us, this place is done."
The stranger shrugged as he mocked them.
"I don't think your guy can handle it alone."
To which Ryujin shot.
"He's not alone. He's got me."
Meanwhile, Itoshi turned his face closer to Ayro as he whispered.
"What is happening?"
Ayro took a peek.
"Looks like Ryujin's recruiting him."
Stranger: Alright. Prove it. Take out what's coming—and I'll help you reach that dream of yours.
Ayro (to Itoshi): Looks like the spotlight's yours.
Itoshi jolted.
"Wait, what?!"
Ayro (calmly): Judging by how they're talking, we're about to get hit by wind-type Seeles.
Itoshi (relieved): Oh. That's manageable.
Ayro then turned to Itoshi.
"Matter of fact.. There's about 160."
Itoshi's heart fell, hearing how many beast he's about to face.
"...I'm going to die."
Ayro: Yup.
To be Continued