The Plan...

Majuro leaned back in his chair, eyes half-shadowed beneath the dim light.

He turned his head — slowly — until he faced the reader directly. A faint grin crossed his face, as though he could see beyond the page.

And then... He broke the fourth wall, speaking directly to the Reader.

“Let me tell you…”

The light around him dimmed. His tone dropped low, almost like a whisper between thunderclaps.

“Hiroshi was trapped in that chamber… for exactly two hundred years.

That day—two centuries ago—something terrible happened.”

[200 Years Ago]

[17th September, 2196]

[Location: Hiroshi’s Apartment – Hong Kong]

The evening light poured through the window, dyeing the small room in golden warmth. A circular table stood in the center, its surface reflecting the flickering flames of small birthday candles arranged neatly atop a modest cake. The candles spelled out 18.

On one side of the table stood Krimson and Ryumi.

Ryumi wore a gray hoodie and blue jeans, her pink hair cascading softly over her shoulders, catching the glow of the candles. Her bright pink eyes sparkled with joy.

Beside her, Krimson looked more composed — white shirt, black jeans, his neatly kept dark hair giving him the air of a quiet gentleman.

On the opposite side stood Hiroshi, dressed in black from head to toe — shirt, jeans, and a grin that could light up the entire room.

“Happy birthday, Hiroshi!” Krimson said warmly, his smile genuine.

“Happy birthday, Hiroshi!” Ryumi echoed, practically jumping in place with excitement.

The three laughed as Hiroshi blew out the flames. The smoke curled into the air, the faint scent of sugar and wax lingering. He sliced the cake, feeding each of them a piece before they returned the gesture.

“Thanks, guys,” Hiroshi said, smiling as he wiped a smudge of cream from his lip.

The moment lingered, bright and simple — until Krimson’s expression shifted.

“Well…” he began, his voice turning serious, “you turned eighteen today. And as per our plan…” He looked up, eyes sharp. “We’re going to wipe out the remaining seven Tyrants today.”

Ryumi froze, her pink eyes widening. “What!? You guys didn’t tell me about this!”

Krimson smirked, calm and confident. “Chill. It’s not a big deal. Hiroshi and I spread fake news that we’re planning to face the Tyrants all at once. They’re all gathered in their Central Meeting Office right now.”

He leaned back casually, explaining as if it were a game. “I’ll go disguised as a Varkonian guard and tell them I know Hiroshi’s location. When they come here, our traps will immobilize them — and Hiroshi will finish them off instantly. So yes… Hiroshi is the bait.”

Ryumi’s breath hitched, her voice trembling. “Are you out of your mind!? It’s too risky! For Hiroshi, for you — for all of us!”

Hiroshi placed a calm hand on her shoulder. His voice was steady, reassuring. “No, Ryumi. Listen. He’s right. We’ve planned this thoroughly, checked every flaw, every possibility. Victory will be ours.”

“But…” she whispered, eyes glistening.

“Don’t worry,” Hiroshi said softly, smiling at her. “Nothing will happen. I’ll surely come back.”

Unable to contain her fear, Ryumi threw her arms around him, hugging tightly. He stood still for a moment, then gently returned the embrace. The warmth between them said more than words could.

[Majuro Narrating]

Majuro’s tone darkened.

“This… was Hiroshi’s biggest mistake. Because after this… they all got captured.”

[Continuing the Story]

Hiroshi and his companions soon arrived at Bajuro’s residence.

“Master Bajuro,” Hiroshi said respectfully, bowing his head. “Can you lend us your Special Bracelets? We’re on a mission.”

Bajuro — the old mage with hair like silver fire — narrowed his eyes, voice heavy with foresight. “I know, Hiroshi. But it is my order that you must not do this. I have predicted every possible outcome. Your chances of being captured are… one hundred percent.”

Hiroshi’s gaze dropped. “I’m sorry, Master… but I can’t obey that order. Please. Lend us the bracelets.”

Bajuro sighed, long and weary. “Fine… but on one condition.”

“What is it?” Hiroshi asked.

Bajuro closed his eyes. His eyeballs were moving inside, as if Bajuro was seeing a vision. He suddenly opened his eyes.

“I will go with Krimson,” Bajuro said quietly. “To make sure things stay under control. Even though I already know… they won’t. But me going may be the only way you survive.”

Hiroshi blinked in confusion. “You’ll go with Krimson? How will that help me?”

Bajuro’s eyes flickered with something unspoken. “You’ll understand… later.”

Krimson shrugged. “Fine. You can come.”

Bajuro lifted his hand, and four glowing bracelets materialized, shimmering with blue runes. “These are the Bracelets. If there’s an emergency, say the phrase — Our Freedom is at Risk.”

Hiroshi clenched one in his fist. “Understood. Let’s go.”

[Majuro Narrating]

“After this,” Majuro said, “Hiroshi and Ryumi fought through the Rebel Jail’s guards, clearing their path to the High Security Chamber in Hong Kong.

Meanwhile, Krimson and my great-great-great-grandfather, Bajuro, went straight to the Tyrants’ Central Meeting Office.”

[Location: Tyrants’ Central Meeting Office]

Hiroshi whispered into his bracelet, his voice low. “Krimson, did you reach there?”

“Yeah,” came Krimson’s reply. “I took down a Varkonian guard and wore his clothes. I’m going into the room now. I’ll switch off my bracelet so I don’t get caught. Mr. Bajuro will stay outside to contact you if there’s an emergency.”

“Be safe,” Hiroshi said.

Krimson switched off the bracelet and entered the massive chamber.

Inside, seven figures sat around a black marble table, the air thick with arrogance and authority. The aroma of hot coffee filled the air.

Krimson bowed. “Dear Lords, I have small information to share.”

Akuma smirked, setting down his cup. “Well then… tell us.”

Riyaku leaned forward, his sharp glare slicing through the air. “If it’s worthless,” he said coldly, “I’ll rip off your limbs and drink your blood.”

Krimson swallowed hard. “The guards of the Rebel Jail in Hong Kong… have captured him. Hiroshi Soraya.”

A beat of silence.

Then—

PFFFFT!

Every Tyrant in the room spat out their coffee at once.

Izoto slammed his cup down. “They captured whom!?”

Yataro blinked, his jaw nearly hitting the table. “You mean… they actually captured that bastard!?”

Krimson nodded stiffly. “Yes. They did.”

Gorokko stood abruptly, his deep voice echoing. “We must go there and check ourselves!”

But Akuma’s sharp eyes caught a faint glint on Krimson’s wrist.

He leaned forward. “Hmm… that’s a Telepathic Bracelet, isn’t it? See, I am a collector. And, Bajuro being a well-known artistic mage, I am able to recognize his crafts anywhere.”

Krimson’s heart stopped. “N-No… it isn’t.”

Akuma’s grin widened. “Don’t lie to me. You and Hiroshi are working together, aren’t you?”

Krimson’s breath stuttered. “N-No, I— I don’t even know him!”

Akuma’s smile turned cruel. He snatched the bracelet and crushed it with one hand. “GUARDS! Take this fool away!”

“Izoto,” Gorokko said, his tone darkly eager, “release the robot.”

“Which one?” Yataro asked, confused.

“The one I, Jinah, and Akuma made together,” Gorokko said proudly. “Its shell is made from my titanium alloys. Its spikes are coated with Jinah’s paralyzing poison… and filled with Akuma’s freezing power — strong enough to freeze Hiroshi’s healing factor.”

Tashoi grinned. “Sounds perfect. Send it immediately!”

Krimson shouted, struggling as guards grabbed him. “NO! Don’t do it, you bastards!”

He was dragged out as Bajuro, standing outside, overheard everything. His eyes widened.

He grabbed his bracelet and shouted, “MAYDAY! Our freedom is at risk!”

Through the static came Hiroshi’s confused voice: “I beg your pardon?”

Before Bajuro could reply, Akuma burst through the door, his grin stretching wide. “Ah, Bajuro… my favorite mage. But I’m afraid I have to destroy your little arts.”

He crushed Bajuro’s bracelet to dust.

“Leave the kids alone!” Bajuro roared.

Akuma hushed him with a dark chuckle. “Shhh. No one asked you.”

Gorokko turned toward the others. “The robot’s been released. It’s heading straight to the Rebel Jail.”

Jinah crossed her arms. “Shouldn’t we go there too?”

“Sure,” Akuma said casually. “Let’s go. Take Bajuro and the boy with us.”

[Location: Rebel Jail — Hong Kong]

“Hiroshi!” Ryumi’s panicked voice came through the bracelet. “We’ve lost contact with Bajuro and Krimson! Are they okay?”

“I don’t know…” Hiroshi replied, pacing. “Bajuro tried to contact me, but something happened.”

“Maybe the Tyrants are coming!” she shouted. “I’ll check from the Watch Tower.”

“Be safe,” Hiroshi said quickly.

She ran off.

[A Few Hours Later]

The wind howled across the prison walls. Ryumi’s eyes widened as she spotted a colossal figure moving through the clouds — a mechanical scorpion-like beast cutting through the mist.

She shouted into her bracelet, “HIROSHI! Something big is coming towards you! Nine o’clock!”

“I’ll take care of it,” he said.

Moments later, a metal tail smashed through the wall in an explosion of dust and sparks.

“What the—!?” Hiroshi barely dodged before the robotic creature lunged, wrapping him in its claws. Spiked cuffs clamped around his wrists and ankles.

Venomous needles dug into his flesh, injecting freezing poison that crawled like fire through his veins. The needles tore holes through his black clothes.

His body convulsed. “It’s… not worth it… my body… slowing down…”

And then everything went dark.

[Two Hours Later]

The Tyrants arrived — dragging Krimson, Bajuro, and Ryumi as prisoners.

They had captured Ryumi on their way inside.

Yataro laughed, almost in disbelief. “Well, well, well… what all one hundred and ninety-five older Tyrants and we seven couldn’t do, this machine did.”

“Should we kill him?” Izoto asked.

Gorokko raised a hand. “Not yet. If his unstable powers leak, the entire continent will explode.”

Akuma turned toward Bajuro. “Extract his powers. Or I’ll kill this brat and the girl right before your eyes.”

Bajuro stared back calmly. “I’ll do it. But on two conditions.”

Akuma groaned. “Speak.”

“First,” Bajuro said, “you won’t kill him.”

Izoto snapped, “That’s too dangerous for us!”

But Gorokko cut him off. “No. If Hiroshi has no powers, he’s harmless.”

Akuma smirked. “Fine. We won’t kill him.”

“Second,” Bajuro continued, “I keep one power.”

Akuma frowned. “How can you keep a power? They’re not physical — they’re energy.”

“I’ll use Blaze Embers,” Bajuro said, lifting his hand. “They’re magical glass vessels that can store power physically.”

Seven fiery crystals formed before him, glowing in different colors.

“These will hold Hiroshi’s powers,” Bajuro explained. “Fast Reflexes in the White Ember, Fire Manioulation in the Red, Lightning Speed in the Yellow, Rock Solid Body in the Orange, Super Jumps in the Blue, Regeneration in the Green, and his Transformation in the Scarlet-Pink.

I will take Fast Reflexes.”

they all looked at each other, and agreed.

Akuma waved a hand impatiently. “Fine! Take it. But hurry.”

“I also cannot extract his natural abilities,” Bajuro added. “Superhuman strength, slow regeneration, never aging beyond forty, and never dying naturally. Those are part of his body — not his powers.”

“Understood,” Akuma said. “Proceed.”

The extraction began. Flames of color burst from Hiroshi’s unconscious body, condensing into seven glowing embers.

Gorokko said. "Take embers according to your number as a tyrant.

Riyaku took the Red Fire Ember.

Akuma took the Yellow Lightning Ember.

Tashoi took the Orange Rock Body Ember.

Gorokko took the Blue Super Jump Ember.

Yataro took the Green Regeneration Ember.

Jinah took the Scarlet-Pink Transformation Ember.

Everyone received one — except Izoto.

“What about me!?” Izoto shouted in frustration.

Gorokko smirked. “Too bad. None left.”

When it was done, Bajuro lowered his head. “Your work is finished. Let the kids go.”

Akuma chuckled. “Your condition said to leave Hiroshi alive, not to let them leave.”

He opened a cryogenic chamber — cold mist spilling out like a ghost’s breath.

“Behold. My greatest creation. This will make Hiroshi sleep in eternal hibernation.”

Riyaku spoke up. “Before we seal him, let’s take his blood. It carries his immortality — the power to never age or die naturally.”

Gorokko nodded. “Exactly. No one can kill us but him… and he’s going to sleep.”

Tashoi laughed softly. “I’ll share some with Kurumi — my son should be immortal too.”

They took Hiroshi’s blood, storing it for themselves, then locked his frozen body inside the chamber.

As they carried Bajuro, Krimson and Ryumi out, they all unconscious.

Bajuro's eyes opened slowly, he realised the situation.

He waved his fingers and opened a small, blue portal — dragging Krimson through it and escaping at the last second. But he left Ryumi behind.

Izoto lunged forward. “CATCH THEM!”

But Gorokko stopped him with a raised hand. “It’s fine. We still have the girl.”

Akuma turned. “What should we do with her?”

Riyaku’s tone was cold. “She has Hiroshi’s blood too.”

Gorokko smirked. “Then I’ll imprison her — deep beneath the world. She’ll rot in that hell for eternity.”

[Location: Bajuro’s Residence]

Krimson stumbled out of the glowing portal and fell to the ground beside Bajuro.

“WHY did you only let us escape!?” Krimson shouted, voice cracking with anger.

“Why not Ryumi!? And why did you help them extract Hiroshi’s powers!?” he clutched his fists in anger.

Bajuro looked at him calmly. “I predicted every possible outcome. The only way to save Hiroshi… was to let him be captured.”

Krimson froze. “What?”

“He’ll be released one day,” Bajuro said softly. “But for that to happen, we must do two things.

I and my bloodline will guard the Blaze Ember vessels until his return.

And you… must form a Rebel Army. Destroy the weaker Varkonians.”

Krimson clenched his fists. “…I don’t understand why. But I trust you. I’ll do it.”

He hesitated. “But what about Ryumi?”

“She will be safe,” Bajuro said, eyes glinting with quiet certainty. “She will assist Hiroshi… when the time comes.”

[Present Time]

Majuro smiled faintly at the reader. “Dear Readers… this was the story of how Hiroshi got captured.”

To Be Continued...