Chapter 2 The Fool and the Shadow Hunter

First, maps were far more complicated than people liked to admit.

Second, roads had an irritating habit of splitting into other roads.

And third—

“Okay.”

Kai lowered the map.

“I’m definitely lost.”

Trees surrounded him in every direction.

The road beneath his feet curved through the forest, disappearing behind thick brush in one direction and a steep hill in the other.

Kai rotated the map.

Then rotated it again.

Then turned it upside down.

The bracelet around his wrist gave a faint glow.

A familiar voice emerged from it.

“You’ve been staring at that map for ten minutes.”

Kai frowned.

“I’m thinking.”

“You’re holding it upside down.”

Kai looked.

He was.

He slowly turned it around.

“I knew that.”

“Of course.”

Kai glared at his wrist.

“Aren’t you supposed to be busy?”

“I am Death, Kai. I’m always busy.”

“Then go do Death things.”

“I am.”

There was a pause.

“I’m watching you slowly die of stupidity.”

Kai’s eye twitched.

“I was doing fine before you started talking.”

“You walked past the same tree three times.”

Kai glanced beside him.

Someone had scratched an X into the bark.

He stared at it.

“…I was checking the area.”

“Thoroughly.”

Kai shoved the map into his bag.

“Whatever. Rebecca’s father said Chris was seen east of the mountains. I’m going east.”

“You don’t know which direction east is.”

Kai confidently pointed down the road.

“That way.”

“That’s north.”

Kai pointed behind him.

“That way.”

“West.”

His arm slowly dropped.

“…You could help.”

“I could.”

Silence.

Kai waited.

Nothing.

“You’re not going to?”

“No.”

“I really hate you.”

“So you keep saying.”

The bracelet went dark.

Kai sighed.

Somewhere beyond those trees was Chris Ryushi.

The Shadow Hunter.

A swordsman who traveled wherever shadow creatures appeared and cut them down for reasons nobody seemed to know.

Kai had never met him.

He knew almost nothing about him.

Chris could have been dangerous.

Unstable.

Completely insane.

Kai smiled.

“Perfect.”

He continued walking.

Two hours later, the forest opened around a wide river.

Beside the road stood a weathered sign.

KANOI — FOLLOW RIVER SOUTH

Kai stared at it.

Then at his map.

Then back at the sign.

“I knew I was going the right way.”

The bracelet remained silent.

Kai frowned.

“You heard me.”

Nothing.

“You only talk when I’m wrong?”

“Yes.”

Kai kicked a pebble into the water.

Kanoi.

Rebecca’s father had mentioned the town.

Travelers passing through the mountains had reported seeing Chris there several times.

If Kai wanted to find the Shadow Hunter, Kanoi was his best lead.

Unfortunately, the road following the river seemed to stretch forever.

Kai looked downriver.

Then toward his aching feet.

Then toward a small fishing boat tied to the bank.

He slowly smiled.

The bracelet lit immediately.

“No.”

Kai looked at it.

“I didn’t say anything.”

“You didn’t have to.”

“The boat is right there.”

“It belongs to someone.”

“They’re not using it.”

“There is literally a fishing basket inside.”

Kai untied the rope.

“I’ll bring it back.”

“You have no idea where you are.”

“I’ll figure it out.”

“You don’t know how to operate a boat.”

Kai found a long wooden pole resting inside.

He lifted it triumphantly.

“How hard can it be?”

Death said nothing.

Kai frowned.

“That silence was disrespectful.”

He pushed away from shore.

For approximately twenty seconds, everything went beautifully.

The current carried him downstream.

Wind moved through his hair.

Birds soared overhead.

Kai leaned proudly against the side of the boat.

“See?”

The river began moving faster.

His smile weakened.

“Death?”

No answer.

The current pulled harder.

Kai grabbed the pole.

“Death?”

“Busy.”

“With what?”

“Enjoying this.”

The boat shot around a bend.

Kai’s eyes widened.

The river dropped sharply between two rocky banks.

“Oh.”

The boat accelerated.

“Oh no.”

Kai plunged the pole into the water.

It snapped in half.

He stared at the broken wood.

“…That seems bad.”

Ahead, buildings appeared along the riverbanks.

A town.

Kanoi.

Stone walls protected the outer districts. Wooden bridges crossed above the water. Boats crowded several docks.

And beyond everything stood an enormous iron structure built into the mountainside.

Black smoke poured from towering chimneys.

Kai barely had time to register any of it.

Because directly ahead stood a wooden checkpoint.

Six armed guards occupied it.

One looked toward the river.

His eyes widened.

“What the—?”

Kai waved both arms.

“MOVE!”

They stared.

“MOVE!”

The guards scattered.

The boat smashed into the checkpoint.

CRASH!

Wood exploded.

Kai flew through the air.

He sailed over one guard.

“Sorry!”

Then another.

“Sorry!”

A third threw himself aside.

“VERY SORRY!”

Kai disappeared into a stack of empty shipping crates.

BOOM!

Silence.

A broken board fell onto his head.

The bracelet glowed.

“I told you.”

Kai raised one finger from the wreckage.

“Not. A word.”

Kanoi was not what Kai expected.

Rebecca’s family had described it as a trading town.

Technically, that was true.

Merchants crowded the markets. Fishing boats lined the river. Smoke curled from chimneys. Workers pushed carts through narrow stone streets.

But the longer Kai walked, the more the town felt wrong.

People didn’t linger outside.

Children weren’t playing.

Doors closed when armed patrols passed.

Shopkeepers lowered their voices.

Everyone seemed to be waiting for something bad to happen.

And above them all loomed the factory.

It had been constructed directly into the mountainside.

Iron walls surrounded it.

Watchtowers rose over the town.

Enormous furnaces burned day and night.

Black smoke poured from pipes thick enough for a person to crawl through.

Kai stopped.

Something twisted inside the smoke.

Darkness.

Barely visible.

But familiar.

His expression changed.

He had seen that kind of energy before.

Koi Town.

The ritual.

Shadow creatures.

The bracelet pulsed.

Death’s voice lost its usual humor.

“You feel it.”

Kai nodded.

“That smoke.”

“Shadow energy.”

“What’s it doing here?”

“I don’t know.”

Kai looked down at the bracelet.

That bothered him.

Death usually sounded like he had an answer for everything.

Kai continued into town.

Near a broken stone fountain, several men in black jackets surrounded a merchant.

A silver symbol resembling a jagged fang had been stitched onto their backs.

One man held out his hand.

“Payment.”

The merchant looked exhausted.

“I already paid Braga yesterday.”

The man struck him across the face.

Kai stopped walking.

“Yesterday was yesterday.”

The merchant fell against his stall.

“You want the Shadow Gang protecting your business tonight, you pay tonight.”

The merchant wiped blood from his lip.

“Protecting it from who?”

The gang member smiled.

“Us.”

His friends laughed.

Kai’s fingers curled.

He started toward them.

Then stopped himself.

Find Chris.

That was why he was here.

Not to save every person who crossed his path.

Not to start a fight less than five minutes after entering town.

For once, Kai could mind his own business.

He turned away.

A crash sounded behind him.

Kai froze.

Slowly, painfully, he looked back.

The gang member had overturned the merchant’s stall.

Fruit rolled across the stones.

Kai closed his eyes.

“Four minutes.”

He sighed.

“New record.”

The first gang member never saw him coming.

Kai grabbed his shoulder and spun him around.

“What—?”

Kai punched him square in the face.

WHAM!

The man crashed into two of his friends.

The street went silent.

Kai pointed toward the destroyed stall.

“Pick it up.”

The men stared.

Then laughed.

The largest stepped forward.

“Do you know who we are?”

“No.”

Kai pointed toward their matching jackets.

“But either you’re criminals or the world’s worst dance troupe.”

The laughter stopped.

Behind Kai, the merchant whispered,

“Kid…”

Kai glanced back.

“You should probably go inside.”

“You should probably run.”

Kai considered that.

“That too.”

The large man cracked his knuckles.

“You’re either brave or stupid.”

Kai smiled.

“I hear that a lot.”

Five minutes later, he was running.

“I THOUGHT THERE WERE FOUR OF YOU!”

A bottle shattered against the wall beside his head.

Apparently there had been fourteen.

Kai sprinted through a narrow alley while the Shadow Gang thundered after him.

“You could help!” he shouted at his bracelet.

Death responded immediately.

“With what?”

“ANYTHING!”

“I resurrected you.”

“THAT WAS YESTERDAY!”

“Exactly. I’ve contributed.”

Kai vaulted over a barrel.

Two gang members collided with it behind him.

He rounded another corner.

A weathered sign swung above a doorway.

THE BROKEN FANG

Music and shouting came from inside.

Kai grinned.

“Perfect.”

He threw open the doors.

The Broken Fang was exactly the kind of tavern Kai had imagined dangerous swordsmen spending their time in.

Dark wood.

Poor lighting.

Suspicious-looking strangers.

Weapons everywhere.

One man was asleep facedown in a bowl.

Kai stopped.

“Wow.”

The Shadow Gang burst through the door behind him.

“There!”

Kai immediately moved.

“NOT WOW!”

He vaulted over a table.

A chair flew after him.

Patrons shouted as drinks spilled.

Someone punched a man who had nothing whatsoever to do with the chase.

Within seconds, half the tavern had joined the fight.

Kai ducked beneath a bottle.

“WHY IS EVERYBODY FIGHTING?!”

A sailor swung at him.

Kai dodged.

“I DON’T EVEN KNOW YOU!”

The sailor shrugged.

“Neither do I!”

He swung again.

Kai punched him.

“Fair enough!”

The bartender climbed onto the counter.

“BRAGA!”

The room slowly went quiet.

Even the Shadow Gang stopped.

A massive man rose from a table near the fireplace.

Braga looked like someone had taken an ordinary man and added another half-man to him.

His head was shaved.

A scar crossed one eye.

Metal rings covered his fingers.

Kai looked up at him.

Then farther up.

“…You eat a lot of vegetables?”

Braga stared.

“Who are you?”

“Kai.”

“Never heard of you.”

“That’s fair. We just met.”

One gang member pointed at Kai.

“He attacked us in the market.”

Kai raised a finger.

“I attacked one of you.”

Braga stepped forward.

The floorboards groaned beneath him.

“This town belongs to Commander Kuro.”

Kai glanced toward the window.

“The giant factory guy?”

Braga’s expression sharpened.

“You know about the factory?”

“It’s enormous.”

Braga grabbed Kai by the shirt and lifted him off the floor.

Kai looked down.

“Okay. Personal space.”

“You’ve got guts.”

“Thanks.”

“That wasn’t a compliment.”

“Oh.”

Someone laughed.

Quietly.

But enough.

Braga turned.

A lone figure sat in the darkest corner of the tavern.

A hood covered his face.

A cup rested in one hand.

Two swords leaned against the wall beside him.

One black.

One white.

Braga narrowed his eyes.

“Something funny?”

The stranger raised his drink.

“A little.”

Braga released Kai.

Kai hit the floor.

“Ow.”

The stranger continued.

“You called him stupid.”

He tilted the cup toward Kai.

“He agreed.”

Several patrons tried not to laugh.

Braga’s jaw tightened.

“This doesn’t concern you.”

“Good.”

The stranger took another drink.

“Then keep it away from my table.”

Braga marched toward him.

Kai watched.

Something about the man caught his attention.

The twin swords.

Rebecca’s father’s words returned.

A swordsman.

Whenever shadow creatures appear, he follows.

Kai’s eyes widened.

Braga slammed both hands onto the stranger’s table.

“I said—”

Steel flashed.

The table split cleanly in two.

Both halves crashed apart.

The stranger remained seated.

His sword was already back in its sheath.

Nobody moved.

Braga slowly looked down.

Then at him.

“You…”

The stranger sighed.

“I liked that table.”

Braga swung.

The hooded man leaned aside.

The fist missed.

The stranger kicked his chair backward, rose in one smooth motion, and struck Braga beneath the chin with the sheath of his sword.

THUD!

Braga staggered.

His men charged.

Both swords came free.

Black.

White.

Kai stared.

The stranger moved almost lazily.

One blade redirected an attacker’s weapon.

The second struck his wrist.

Another gang member attacked from behind.

The black blade blocked.

The white sword’s pommel drove into the man’s stomach.

Two more rushed him together.

The stranger stepped between them.

Turned.

Their weapons collided.

Before either understood what had happened, both were on the floor.

No wasted movement.

No panic.

No unnecessary brutality.

Everything was controlled.

Braga roared and charged again.

The stranger crossed both blades.

Braga froze.

Two edges rested against his throat.

“You finished?”

Braga swallowed.

“…Yeah.”

“Good.”

The swords vanished into their sheaths.

The stranger grabbed his cloak and walked toward the door.

Kai stared.

Then snapped back to reality.

“Wait!”

The stranger stopped.

Kai pointed.

“You’re him.”

The hood turned slightly.

“Him who?”

“The guy.”

“That narrows it down.”

“The swordsman!”

The stranger looked around.

“We’re in a tavern.”

“The Shadow Hunter!”

Several people flinched.

The stranger sighed.

Kai rushed toward him.

“You’re Chris Ryushi.”

“No.”

Kai stopped.

“…No?”

“No.”

“Oh.”

Chris continued toward the door.

Kai looked at the swords.

Then Braga.

Then the door.

His eyes narrowed.

“Wait a minute!”

Kai caught up outside.

“Hey!”

Chris ignored him.

“Hey!”

Nothing.

“Chris!”

Nothing.

“SHADOW HUNTER!”

Chris stopped.

Very slowly.

Kai grinned.

“Knew it.”

Chris looked over his shoulder.

“I stopped because you shouted something stupid across an entire street.”

“So you’re not Chris?”

“No.”

“Why do you have two swords?”

“Because three would be excessive.”

Kai stared.

“You’re sarcastic.”

“You’re observant.”

“You hunt shadow creatures.”

Silence.

“And everybody in there was terrified when you moved.”

“Maybe I’m unpleasant.”

“You definitely are.”

Chris resumed walking.

Kai followed.

“Rebecca’s father told me about you.”

“Don’t know Rebecca.”

“He said travelers talk about a swordsman who follows shadow creatures.”

“Travelers talk too much.”

“They said his name was Chris.”

“Common name.”

“Chris Ryushi.”

Chris stopped.

Kai walked in front of him.

“Come on.”

Silence.

Kai smiled.

“I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”

Chris lowered his hood.

Dark hair fell around his face.

His eyes were sharp, but there was a tiredness beneath them that didn’t match his age.

Chris Ryushi looked at Kai like meeting him had personally offended the universe.

Kai’s smile widened.

“I knew it.”

Chris sighed.

“Congratulations.”

“You really are the Shadow Hunter.”

“Unfortunately.”

Kai thrust out his hand.

“My name’s Kai.”

Chris looked at the hand.

Then at him.

“I know.”

Kai lowered it.

“You do?”

“You screamed your name inside the tavern.”

“Oh.”

Chris walked away.

Kai followed.

“Why did you help me?”

“I didn’t.”

“You fought Braga.”

“He annoyed me.”

“He was annoyed because of me.”

“That sounds like your problem.”

“You’re difficult.”

“And yet you keep following me.”

“Because I need your help.”

“No.”

“You don’t know what I need.”

“No.”

“I haven’t asked.”

“No.”

Kai’s eyebrow twitched.

“Can you say anything else?”

“Yes.”

Kai waited.

Chris continued walking.

“…Well?”

“I just did.”

Kai stared.

Then burst out laughing.

Chris glanced back.

“What?”

“You’re funny.”

“I wasn’t trying to be.”

“That makes it better.”

Chris groaned.

Chris’s hideout sat beneath an abandoned building near Kanoi’s outskirts.

Kai had followed him there despite being told not to six different times.

Chris opened the cellar door.

Kai stepped inside.

Chris stopped.

“Why are you here?”

Kai pointed downstairs.

“Because we came here.”

“I came here.”

“So did I.”

“Uninvited.”

“You never said I couldn’t.”

“I told you to stop following me.”

“That’s different.”

Chris stared at him.

Kai smiled.

Chris appeared to reconsider every decision he had ever made.

“Fine.”

He descended.

Kai followed.

The basement was larger than expected.

Maps covered one wall.

Weapons rested on a workbench.

Books had been stacked beside a narrow cot.

Pinned across the largest map were notes detailing Kanoi and the factory.

Kai’s joking expression faded.

Chris noticed.

“You wanted to know why I’m here?”

Kai approached the map.

Several buildings had been circled.

Names were written beside them.

Some crossed out.

“What are these?”

“Missing people.”

Kai looked toward him.

“How many?”

“Forty-three.”

Kai’s face hardened.

Chris pointed toward the factory.

“Kuro’s been taking people for months.”

“For workers?”

“Some.”

Chris opened a small metal box.

Inside rested a glass vial.

Black smoke churned behind the glass.

Kai’s bracelet reacted immediately.

“And the others?” Kai asked.

“Experiments.”

Chris placed the vial on the table.

Kai stared.

“What is that?”

“Shadow residue.”

The word settled heavily.

Chris continued.

“The factory produces concentrated shadow smoke. Kuro releases small amounts around Kanoi.”

“Why?”

“Shadow creatures are drawn to it.”

Kai’s stomach tightened.

Chris looked toward the map.

“And people exposed to enough of it start changing.”

Kai’s mind immediately returned to Rebecca’s attacker.

Its black body.

The smoke leaving it when it died.

“Changing into what?”

Chris met his eyes.

He didn’t need to answer.

Kai turned toward the factory.

“He’s turning people into monsters?”

“Trying.”

“Why?”

“I haven’t figured that out.”

“Then let’s ask.”

Chris looked at him.

“No.”

“We go inside—”

“No.”

“Find Kuro—”

“No.”

“Punch him until he starts explaining—”

“No.”

Kai crossed his arms.

“You say that a lot.”

“You say a lot of stupid things.”

Chris turned back toward the map.

“I’ve spent two weeks watching that factory. Patrol rotations. Deliveries. Guard posts. Furnace cycles.”

Kai looked impressed.

“You have a plan.”

“Yes.”

“Great. I’m coming.”

“No.”

Kai slapped both hands against the table.

“That’s what I came here to ask you!”

Chris frowned.

“What?”

“Come with me.”

“Where?”

“To find the Elementals.”

Silence.

Chris’s expression changed.

“You have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“I do.”

“No, you don’t.”

“I’ve seen them.”

Chris narrowed his eyes.

Kai looked toward the floor.

“Koi Town.”

Chris went still.

“That was my home.”

Neither spoke for a moment.

“They destroyed it.”

Kai looked at the bracelet.

“And they killed me.”

Chris stared.

“What?”

“Death brought me back.”

Chris blinked.

“You hit your head harder than I thought.”

“I’m serious.”

“That makes it worse.”

Kai lifted his wrist.

The bracelet glowed.

Death’s voice emerged.

“He is, unfortunately, telling the truth.”

Chris’s hands went immediately to his swords.

Kai threw both arms up.

“WHOA!”

Chris stared at the bracelet.

“What is that?”

“Death.”

Chris looked at Kai.

“Death.”

“Yes.”

“The Death.”

“I assume so.”

“There are departments,” Death said.

Kai looked down.

“There are WHAT?”

“Not important.”

The light faded.

Chris stared at Kai for several seconds.

Then rubbed his forehead.

“I miss this morning.”

Kai grinned.

“So?”

“So what?”

“Come with me.”

“No.”

Kai sighed.

“Why?”

“Because resurrection doesn’t make your suicide mission smarter.”

Chris moved closer.

“You barely survived Braga’s men.”

“I was doing fine.”

“You were running.”

“Tactical repositioning.”

“You’re an idiot.”

“That doesn’t mean I’m wrong.”

Chris stared.

Kai’s smile slowly vanished.

“I’m going either way.”

Chris’s expression softened almost imperceptibly.

“I know.”

Kai blinked.

“I can see it.”

Chris looked away.

“I’ve seen that look before.”

“What look?”

“The one someone gets when revenge is the only road they can see.”

For a moment, there was something behind Chris’s eyes.

Fire.

Grief.

A memory too painful to touch.

His hand rested against one sword.

Kai noticed.

But didn’t ask.

Not yet.

Chris continued.

“If you’re going after the Elementals, find an army.”

“I don’t want an army.”

“Then find somebody stupid.”

Kai smiled.

“I found you.”

Chris stared.

“I walked directly into that.”

“Yep.”

Kai glanced at the factory map.

“Let me help tonight.”

“No.”

“If I survive, reconsider.”

“No.”

“If I save your life?”

“No.”

“If I’m useful?”

Chris hesitated.

Barely.

Kai pointed.

“Aha!”

“I didn’t say yes.”

“You thought about it.”

“I thought about throwing you outside.”

“So?”

Chris stared toward the factory.

“One rule.”

Kai’s face brightened.

“I’m in?”

“One rule.”

“Anything.”

“You do exactly what I tell you.”

Kai nodded immediately.

Chris looked worried.

“That agreement happened much too fast.”

An hour later, Chris discovered why.

“Stop.”

Kai stopped.

They crouched behind a rocky ridge overlooking the factory walls.

Two guards patrolled below.

Chris pointed.

“We wait until they pass.”

Kai nodded.

“Got it.”

“Good.”

Kai stood.

Chris grabbed the back of his shirt and yanked him down.

“What are you doing?”

“Going after they passed.”

“They haven’t passed.”

“They were looking the other way.”

“That is not the same thing.”

“Oh.”

Chris closed his eyes.

“You said you understood.”

“I thought I did.”

“I regret this.”

“You say that a lot.”

The patrol finally disappeared.

Chris motioned forward.

They descended.

A drainage tunnel ran beneath the outer wall.

Chris pulled away the grate.

Kai peered inside.

“That smells terrible.”

“It’s a sewer.”

Kai stepped back.

“No.”

Chris smiled.

Kai pointed.

“Don’t.”

“You promised to follow instructions.”

“I promised before sewage was mentioned.”

Chris crawled inside.

Kai looked toward the tunnel.

Then the guards.

Then the tunnel again.

“I hate teamwork.”

He followed.

The factory smelled worse inside.

Not because of the sewer.

Because of the smoke.

Black vapor drifted through metal pipes overhead.

Machines thundered.

Huge furnaces glowed orange behind iron grates.

Workers moved between them under armed supervision.

Many coughed violently.

Some could barely stand.

Kai watched from behind several crates.

“They’re prisoners.”

Chris nodded.

“We find the main furnace.”

“And them.”

Chris looked at him.

“We can’t free everyone yet.”

Kai frowned.

“If we start a riot before the furnace goes down, Kuro seals every exit.”

Chris’s voice lowered.

“They all die.”

Kai hated it.

But he understood.

“Destroy the furnace first.”

“Then the cells.”

Kai nodded.

Chris looked surprised.

“What?”

“Nothing.”

“You expected me to argue.”

“I prepared for it.”

“I can listen.”

“You’ve provided very little evidence.”

Kai glared.

Then he heard something.

Crying.

He turned.

At the end of a corridor stood a barred door.

Behind it were people.

Dozens.

Men.

Women.

Children.

A little boy clung to the bars.

Dark veins crawled across part of his arm.

Kai froze.

Chris grabbed his shoulder.

“Not yet.”

“Look at him.”

“I see him.”

“We’re getting them out.”

“We will.”

“Now.”

“Kai.”

A guard turned the corner.

“Hey!”

Chris swore.

Kai was already moving.

He struck the guard before the man could draw his weapon.

An alarm bell rang.

Chris stared at Kai.

Kai gave a guilty smile.

“Sorry.”

The entire factory erupted.

Guards flooded the corridor.

Chris drew both swords.

“You lasted eleven minutes.”

“That’s pretty good.”

“It is absolutely not!”

Kai charged.

Everything became chaos.

Chris moved ahead, disarming guards while Kai fought behind him.

Prisoners shouted from their cells.

Kai grabbed a ring of keys from an unconscious soldier.

“Chris!”

“What?!”

“Catch!”

He threw them.

Chris ducked.

The keys sailed over his head.

“You were supposed to catch those!”

“I WAS FIGHTING!”

Kai chased after them.

Chris blocked three swords at once.

“This is why nobody works with you!”

“Nobody’s worked with me yet!”

“I UNDERSTAND WHY!”

Kai found the keys and opened the nearest cell.

“Everybody move!”

A prisoner stared.

“Who are you?”

“Kai!”

“Who?”

“No time!”

Chris shouted from farther down the corridor.

“LEFT!”

Kai turned.

A guard swung.

Kai ducked.

“Oh! Thanks!”

Chris groaned.

Prisoners poured toward the tunnel.

Then the floor shook.

BOOM.

Everyone froze.

Another impact.

BOOM.

Slow footsteps echoed down the corridor.

The guards moved aside.

A massive armored figure appeared.

Commander Kuro resembled a walking fortress.

Metal covered his chest and shoulders.

Both arms were encased in enormous mechanical gauntlets connected by thick tubes disappearing beneath his armor.

Kuro stared at Chris.

“The Shadow Hunter.”

Chris raised both swords.

“Kuro.”

Kuro’s eyes moved toward Kai.

“And the idiot who destroyed my river checkpoint.”

Kai pointed at himself.

“You heard about that?”

“You injured six men.”

“They should’ve moved.”

Chris glanced sideways.

“Not helping.”

Kuro slammed both gauntlets together.

A shockwave blasted through the corridor.

Kai flew backward.

Chris crossed his swords and skidded across the floor.

Kuro smiled.

“You’ve been hunting my men for weeks.”

Chris straightened.

“I prefer ‘discouraging employment.’”

“You think you can destroy what I built?”

Chris looked toward the prisoners.

“Yes.”

Kuro charged.

One fist struck the floor.

Stone exploded.

Kai barely avoided the blast.

“What are those things?!”

“Powered gauntlets!”

“HOW DO WE STOP THEM?!”

“I WAS HOPING YOU KNEW!”

“WHY WOULD I KNOW?!”

“You wanted to punch him!”

“Oh, right!”

Kuro attacked again.

Chris blocked.

The impact hurled him into a wall.

“Chris!”

Kai rushed forward.

Kuro backhanded him.

Kai crashed through several wooden crates.

His vision blurred.

For several seconds, all he could hear was ringing.

Then Death’s warning returned.

If you die again, there won’t be another return.

Kai pushed himself upright.

Kuro approached Chris.

One gauntlet rose.

Kai looked at his bracelet.

“Come on.”

Nothing.

“Destiny Quake.”

The bracelet flickered.

“Come on!”

Kuro swung.

Kai sprinted forward and slammed into Chris.

Both rolled away.

Kuro’s fist punched through the stone wall.

Chris looked at Kai.

“You saved me.”

Kai grinned.

“Does that mean you’re coming with me?”

“No.”

“Worth asking.”

Chris looked at Kuro’s gauntlet.

The metal casing had cracked.

His eyes sharpened.

“Kai.”

“Yeah?”

“Make him hit something harder than you.”

Kai looked toward several steel support columns.

Then toward Kuro.

“That’s your plan?”

“You said you wanted to help.”

Kai stood.

“HEY! KURO!”

Kuro turned.

Kai slapped his own backside.

“YOUR FACTORY SMELLS TERRIBLE!”

Chris stared.

“That was your taunt?”

“I PANICKED!”

Kuro roared and charged.

Kai ran.

“WORKED!”

The first fist missed.

The second smashed into a support column.

CRACK!

The gauntlet fractured.

Chris attacked.

Both blades flashed.

He struck the damaged joints.

Sparks exploded.

Kuro screamed.

“One!” Kai shouted.

Kuro’s remaining fist connected with Kai’s chest.

Kai flew across the room.

He slammed into the furnace controls.

Pain shot through his body.

The bracelet flashed.

Then he felt it.

The same force.

The same pulse beneath the earth.

The same strange power that had appeared when Rebecca was about to die.

Kai looked at his hand.

Kuro charged.

Kai planted his palm against the ground.

“Destiny…”

The floor trembled.

Chris looked toward him.

Kuro raised his fist.

Kai clenched his teeth.

“QUAKE!”

The earth erupted.

The blast wasn’t as powerful as before.

It didn’t need to be.

The floor buckled beneath Kuro.

He lost his footing.

His gauntlet slammed into the ground.

CRACK!

The casing split.

Chris moved.

Black and white crossed.

Both swords struck as one.

SHING!

The gauntlet broke apart.

Kuro stared at his unprotected hands.

Kai smiled.

“Uh-oh.”

Chris struck him with the hilts of both swords.

Kuro collapsed.

Silence filled the room.

Kai remained kneeling.

Chris stared at him.

“What was that?”

Kai looked at his palm.

“No idea.”

“You named it.”

“I named it yesterday.”

“You’re using attacks before knowing what they do?”

“Pretty much.”

Chris stared.

Kai smiled.

“Still want me around?”

“Less than ever.”

The main furnace contained several enormous glass tanks.

Shadow smoke twisted inside them like living things.

Kai felt sick looking at it.

“How do we destroy this?”

Chris removed several explosive charges from beneath his cloak.

Kai’s eyes lit up.

“Bombs.”

Chris pointed at him.

“No.”

“I didn’t say anything.”

“You looked excited.”

“I like explosions.”

“I guessed that from your transportation history.”

Chris attached the last charge.

“Five minutes.”

Kai looked toward the exit.

“Everybody out?”

“Almost.”

A worker appeared above them.

“Last group!”

Kai helped an elderly prisoner toward the door.

The little boy from the cell followed.

He looked up.

“Mister?”

Kai glanced down.

“Yeah?”

“Are you a hero?”

Kai stopped.

The question struck harder than Kuro’s gauntlets had.

Hero.

He thought about the ritual.

Koi Town.

Everything his mistake had released into the world.

“No.”

The boy looked confused.

Kai smiled.

“But I’m trying.”

He opened the exit.

“Go.”

They reached the rocky ridge just as the timer ran down.

Chris counted.

“Three.”

Kai looked back.

“Two.”

The factory windows glowed.

“One.”

Nothing happened.

Kai frowned.

“Did you break the bomb?”

Chris looked offended.

“No.”

“Because this would be really embarrassing.”

“I know how explosives work.”

They waited.

A bird chirped.

Kai slowly turned.

“Chris.”

“Don’t.”

Then—

BOOOOOOM!

The mountainside erupted.

Fire tore through the factory.

Windows shattered.

Iron towers folded.

The enormous chimneys split apart.

A wall of heat rolled over the valley.

Kai threw both fists into the air.

“YES!”

Chris tackled him behind the ridge.

A slab of burning metal crashed where Kai had just stood.

Kai stared.

Then looked at Chris.

“…Thanks.”

Chris stood.

“You’re welcome.”

Kai smiled.

Chris immediately realized his mistake.

“Don’t make a big deal out of that.”

“You said ‘you’re welcome.’”

“I can still leave you here.”

Below them, the prisoners watched the factory burn.

For several seconds there was silence.

Then someone cheered.

Another voice joined.

Then another.

Soon the valley filled with it.

Kai looked toward Kanoi.

Something inside his chest loosened.

He hadn’t repaired what happened to Koi Town.

He hadn’t stopped the Elementals.

He hadn’t even begun to fix everything he’d broken.

But today—

someone’s life was better because he had been there.

That had to count for something.

Chris stood beside him.

“You caused most of that mess.”

Kai grinned.

“You’re welcome.”

“That was not praise.”

“Too late.”

By morning, Kanoi looked different.

The factory still burned against the mountainside, but its black smoke was thinning.

Windows had opened.

People stood in the streets.

For the first time since Kai entered town, he heard children laughing.

Kai adjusted the bag over his shoulder.

Chris approached from behind.

“You leaving?”

“Yep.”

“Where?”

Kai pointed confidently down the road.

Chris looked.

“That leads back toward the mountains.”

Kai slowly lowered his hand.

“…I knew that.”

Chris sighed.

Kai turned the opposite direction.

“There.”

“Better.”

Kai started walking.

Chris remained behind.

After several steps, Kai glanced back.

“You coming?”

“No.”

Kai nodded.

“Okay.”

Then he continued.

Chris blinked.

That was not the reaction he had expected.

Kai walked farther.

Ten steps.

Twenty.

Thirty.

He lifted one hand.

“Bye, Shadow Hunter!”

“Don’t call me that!”

“Good luck being lonely!”

Chris’s eye twitched.

Kai continued down the road.

Chris looked toward Kanoi.

Then toward the horizon.

Then at the swords hanging beside him.

For a moment, the sarcasm disappeared.

Fire flashed through his memory.

A burning house.

A voice screaming his name.

Someone he couldn’t reach.

His younger brother.

Chris closed his eyes.

Dragon’s Fang.

He had his own journey.

His own answers to find.

The last thing he needed was some reckless kid dragging him into a war against the Elementals.

It was stupid.

Dangerous.

Probably suicidal.

Chris opened his eyes.

Kai was almost out of sight.

Chris groaned.

“Damn it.”

He started walking.

Kai heard footsteps behind him.

A smile slowly spread across his face.

He didn’t turn.

Chris caught up.

“You’re still going the wrong way.”

“I was testing you.”

“No, you weren’t.”

“Nope.”

They walked in silence for a few moments.

Kai finally glanced sideways.

“So that’s a yes?”

Chris drew one sword.

Kai immediately leaned away.

“Whoa.”

Chris pointed the blade down another road.

“No.”

Kai blinked.

Chris walked past him.

“But I’m coming anyway.”

Kai stared.

Then an enormous grin appeared.

He ran after him.

“That is literally a yes!”

“No, it isn’t.”

“You’re traveling with me!”

“Temporarily.”

“So we’re partners.”

“No.”

“Friends?”

“No.”

“Best friends?”

Chris stopped.

Kai nearly crashed into him.

“If you say that again, I’m leaving.”

Kai grinned.

“First mate?”

Chris stared.

“First what?”

“Never mind. I’ll workshop it.”

Chris resumed walking.

Kai hurried beside him.

“So where are we going?”

“East.”

“Why east?”

“Because unlike you, I know how to read a map.”

“Can you teach me?”

“No.”

“Can I use one of your swords?”

“No.”

“Can you teach me sword fighting?”

“No.”

“Do you have any cool special attacks?”

Chris’s shoulders dropped.

“I think I understand why Death sent you back.”

Kai’s eyes lit up.

“Really?”

Chris stared toward the horizon.

“He didn’t want you there either.”

Kai stopped walking.

Chris continued.

“HEY!”

For the first time since Kai had met him, Chris laughed.

Kai ran after him.

And together, the fool and the Shadow Hunter disappeared down the road.

Far from Kanoi, someone else was having a considerably worse morning.

“Again.”

A young girl stood alone in the center of a grassy clearing.

A wooden staff trembled between her hands.

Her breathing was heavy.

Several scorch marks covered the earth around her.

One bush was smoking.

Ryia stared at the small stone target positioned twenty feet away.

“Okay.”

She inhaled.

“Focus.”

She raised the staff.

A faint blue light formed above its tip.

Ryia’s eyes widened.

“Yes…”

The light grew.

Her hands began shaking.

“Come on…”

The spell wobbled.

“No, no, no—”

POP!

Smoke exploded into her face.

Ryia coughed violently.

When it cleared, her hair stood in every direction.

She stared at the staff.

“…I hate magic.”

A voice called from beyond the trees.

“Ryia!”

She froze.

“Coming!”

She quickly tried to fix her hair.

It refused.

Ryia looked toward the stone target.

Not a scratch.

Her shoulders fell.

Then—

A tiny spark landed against it.

Crack.

A thin fracture appeared across the stone.

Ryia stared.

Her eyes widened.

Slowly, she smiled.

“…I did it.”

“RYIA!”

“I SAID I’M COMING!”

She grabbed her bag and hurried toward the village.

The broken stone remained behind.

A tiny blue spark danced across its surface.

Then vanished.

Far beyond the mountains, Kai and Chris continued east.

Neither of them knew her name.

Neither of them knew the road ahead would eventually lead directly to her.

And Ryia had no idea that somewhere beyond the horizon—

two idiots were already on their way.