Chapter 24: Yuzo's Initiative

Kaosuru looked at him for a moment, different from the rest.

-So that's what you want to do... interesting.

A brief pause.

-I'll make you a proposal. If you defeat my best guard, I'll forget about claiming that place that was once your home. What do you say?

Joshido stepped forward.

Yuzo stopped him.

-I want to do this. Leave it to me.

Joshido looked at him.

His younger brother was serious. There was no doubt on his face.

Kaosuru let out a short laugh.

-Well. The angry one has guts. Alright, if that's what you want...

He signaled with his hand.

A hooded figure stepped forward from the back of the hall.

Yuzo stood in front of him, watching.

Mozir frowned.

-He smells different from the others. Something about this hooded figure doesn't sit right with me.

-You're worrying too much -said Eldren-. Yuzo will handle this fast.

Joshido heard what Mozir said.

-Yuzo, be careful. Don't underestimate the enemy.

-Relax -Yuzo answered-. I'll be fine.

This is for every inhabitant of this village.

Kaosuru looked at both of them.

-If you're ready... begin.

Yuzo didn't wait.

He threw a direct hit to the stomach that pushed the hooded figure back. Without losing momentum, he moved above his head in an instant and landed a hard kick that sent him straight to the ground.

Yuzo took some distance.

He watched the hooded figure on the ground without moving.

-That's supposed to be his best guard? -Eldren couldn't contain himself-. Don't make me laugh.

-Shut up -said Heliya without looking at him-. This fight isn't going to end that easily.

And she was right.

The hooded figure got up.

Like nothing had happened.

Yuzo didn't wait. He moved in and threw a combination of punches from every angle, hitting different parts of the body. The hooded figure didn't defend himself. He just stood there taking every hit.

Yuzo caught him on the jaw.

The impact lifted him off the ground.

Yuzo jumped, positioned himself above him in the air and drove both legs into his stomach, sending him crashing into the ground with everything he had.

The impact kicked up dust across the entire hall.

-Yuzo has really improved -said Renir, genuinely surprised.

-Did he actually already defeat him? -said Joshido.

Eldren looked at him.

-What's wrong with you? How are you going to doubt your own brother? Of course he defeated him!

-There's no way he's getting up from that -said Naiden.

-Well done, Yuzo -said Heliya with a smile.

Yuzo looked directly at Kaosuru.

-It's over. And you're going to stop erasing everyone's memories.

Kaosuru didn't respond.

He just sat there on his throne in silence.

When the dust cleared, the group confirmed what they thought.

The hooded figure was still on the ground.

Yuzo had defeated him.

But then he moved.

Slowly, with a calm that made no sense, the hooded figure got to his feet. The hood had taken damage and for the first time left his face visible.

He was unlike any living being they had ever seen.

Dark green skin, thin like someone who hadn't eaten properly in years, his face covered in scars from top to bottom. Long hair of a light green, long pointed ears, oval eyes the same color.

Nobody spoke.

The group stared at him without being able to process what was in front of them.

They had never seen a living being of another race.

Yuzo couldn't believe he was standing either.

Kaosuru let out a slow laugh.

-It's a privilege to introduce you to my best guard. Yusaro. The Master of the Infernal Chains.

Yusaro fixed his eyes on Yuzo.

His body began to be covered in chains that appeared from nowhere, coiling around him with a metallic sound that filled the hall.

-Is that all you can do?