Chapter 21 -- Storming

AIO: Somehow there's immersion in Japanese food.

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BOOM.

The ground beneath Ishi explodes as he seemingly projects around the corner.

Thorn and Reach have no time to wait as they follow him immediately.

Reach jumps high into the air and scouts the area in a flash.

He confirms no signs of danger and nods to Tomo who remains with the woman.

Tomo nods in return as if to say 'leave her to me'.

Reach darts to catch up to Thorn.

The three of them pass countless maroon flames and damaged buildings as Ishi continues to move at ridiculous speed.

Reach: Incredible...

...

Thorn tried to predict where Ishi was going.

Thorn: Is he heading straight to the source?

Ishi moved using a combination of large jumps and quick dashes.

His after-image looked like it was phasing around obstacles.

He looked vengeful and angry.

Eyes set straight ahead.

Reach: He's like a whole other person.

In the distance they sighted the widest building in town.

It was not particularly tall, but it covered a notable mass.

Ishi came to a quick stop.

They weren't far from the building, but a group of people stood in their way.

????: "Haha..."

...

????: "Didn't think you'd take the bait."

The one at the front spoke.

He had black and purple hair, slicked backwards.

Light purple eyes with small black dots.

????: "Fuck what Gatriox says."

????: "Fuck Ryane and Benn, too."

Reach and Thorn watched on from behind Ishi.

????: "I only arrived here the other day."

The man smiled confidently.

Matrox: "They call me Matrox."

...

Matrox: "You'll find I'm not like the others."

He laughed softly, then paused.

His eyes began to light up...

Matrox: "This is what I'm-"

FWOOP.

Ishi stood right in front of him, holding his disembodied torso by the arm which was still attached.

That entire portion literally ripped from Matrox's body.

All that remained was his head, opposite arm, and lower body.

Matrox: Wh-

He could not find the breath for another word.

Thunk.

He fell.

????: ?!!!

The remaining members were divided - either petrified and aware of the risk Ishi posed, or aligned to Matrox and ready to fight steadfast.

Reach and Thorn were thrilled.

Thorn: He...

Thorn: He can fight!!!

She grinned.

Reach: We knew there was something to him.

Reach: Some kind of power.

...

Reach: But this...

His eyes brightened.

Reach: This is something else...

...

Reach: He is...

Reach: ...Strong!!

Half of the defending group began to run.

????: "Hey! Come on you g-"

Splat.

Ishi drove the person's head into the ground, face-first.

They never moved again.

...

Three aggressors circled Ishi and threw down sizeable hammers at the same time.

Ishi sighed.

A deep voice came out quietly.

Ishi: "We all know how this plays out... Don't we?"

Bang.

The hammers erupt with Ishi nowhere to be found.

He flips in the air above them and comes soaring down with a two-footed kick into the ground.

The impact sends everyone within the vicinity floating - reminiscent of a shockwave.

Sparks of dark red lightning reverberate throughout.

You could see the scared eyes of one of the hammer-bearers... As they realised their inevitable retribution...

Their final view was of Ishi's impending, destructive fist.

Crunch.

...

It did not matter if they were hesitant or determined.

Crack.

Their fate was all the same.

Thwap.

Moments like this really did make you think.

Chunk.

About the fragility of human life.

Smash.

...

...

...

Reach: ...

Reach compared the view of Vork standing among the slaughtered invaders, to Ishi doing the same with what appeared to be Vork's subordinates.

10, 20...

The number didn't matter.

Reach: This kind of enemy...

Reach: ...Is too easy for Ishi.

Thorn found herself subconsciously grinning, which seemed to be a new trend around Ishi.

...

Heavy footsteps proceeded from the significantly wide building.

The timing felt like a summons.

Ishi: ...

The person faltered.

A disgruntled, anxious yet deep voice.

...

Vork: "L... Leave..."

Ishi: ...

Thorn: The Asagi.

...

Vork huffed.

Vork: "G-Get-"

Ishi: "Don't talk."

Ishi: "I'm sick of your voice."

Ishi's dark red eyes locked onto their next target.

A voice that made the Asagi's seem weak.

Ishi: "You can burn with your friends."

[Chapter 21 -- End]