The Mad Magus

Renji banked hard over the river, moonlight catching the spray as Kevin’s massive body crashed into the water below, sending a wall of white foam into the night sky.

The river churned. Renji folded his bat wings and plunged into the cold current, his sight adapting to the murky depths. He thrust his hands forward. The river responded, spiraling into a whirlpool around Kevin’s body that dragged the dragon toward the riverbed.

Kevin’s jaws opened, releasing a pulse of water magic that shattered the whirlpool’s structure. The opposing currents collided, exploding into a geyser.

The fight spilled across the surface. Renji skimmed low over the water, his wings barely clearing the waves. Behind him, Kevin surged forward, his massive wings sending gusts that rippled the water. Renji dodged the dragon’s snapped bites before a whipping tail forced him to roll mid-air.

Diving beneath the surface once more, Renji forged dozens of ice spears crackling with lightning and laced with shadow. He launched them upward from the depths, a barrage striking Kevin’s underbelly and throat.

The dragon roared as blood streamed from a dozen shallow wounds, darkening the current. His thick scales absorbed the brunt of the impact.

“Impressive,” Kevin growled, his voice reverberating through the water. “But not enough.”

Renji surfaced, treading water. He concentrated, and a dozen mist clones materialized around him, each wielding a copy of Pochi. They charged Kevin from every angle.

Kevin swept his tail in a massive arc. Wind magic erupted from his body, dispersing the clones into harmless vapor. He turned, scanning the river. “Where are you, little magus?”

Renji stood atop the river watchtower, posing with Pochi raised while his tattered cloak fluttered in the wind. Above him, Kevin circled the tower.

“How about we make a deal?” Renji called up. “We can share the world. Live peacefully.”

Kevin’s laugh was a deep rumble. “A bargain requires equal standing and enforcing power, of which humanity has none.” His scales knitted together as his wounds closed. “You’ve already lost.”

“Do you wish to fight to the death to accomplish your vision?” Renji asked.

“You’re just stalling,” Kevin replied. “Your human body can’t stand your monstrous power. You’re burning from the inside, aren’t you?”

Renji didn’t answer. The truth was written in his trembling hands and the dark veins creeping up his forearms.

Fully healed, Kevin charged, slamming his massive body into the tower. The stone collapsed in a cascade of rubble as Renji dove back into the river.

His bat wings transformed, the leathery membranes stretching into broad, flowing fins. He swam with inhuman grace, though rising steam betrayed his path.

Kevin retracted his wings, his body elongating into a streamlined water dragon. He chased Renji through the depths, far faster than before.

The water dragon had speed, but Renji had agility.

Renji cut a sharp turn, doubling back just as Kevin’s jaws snapped through the space he had occupied a heartbeat prior. The dragon’s momentum dragged him forward, slowing his turn.

Renji channeled his mana, weaving ice, lightning, and shadow into a single spell. A massive spear formed in his hands, its tip crackling with dark energy. He thrust it at Kevin point-blank.

Kevin’s serpentine neck coiled back. His jaws opened, unleashing a torrent of superheated plasma that vaporized the surrounding water.

Renji’s spell split the edge of the blast, allowing him to press forward until the spear tip hovered near Kevin’s head. But the dragon’s raw power proved overwhelming.

The breath intensified, shattering Renji’s spear and incinerating his cloak. The river itself vaporized, exposing the bare stone below.

When the steam cleared, only ash and scattered embers drifted on the dry riverbed.

Kevin stood on the exposed stone, his scales glistening with residual heat. He surveyed the scorched riverbed, eyes narrowing.

“Foolish human,” he growled. “You chose the wrong path.”

Then the sky cracked.

The Kinto barrier shattered, raining fragments of light that dissolved into nothing.

Kevin’s head snapped up. “Damn those humans.”

His body condensed as wings burst from his back. His sky dragon form took shape, though the transformation dragged, bogged down by his spent mana.

He flew toward the vault, wings beating against the cold mountain air. Below, the Veil Sealer Company marched out of the monastery, their lanterns forming a steady line through the carnage.

Kevin opened his jaws, energy building in his throat.

Suddenly, Renji appeared out of the night sky, wearing only his underpants with his bare chest painted with a sealing rune crafted from a mix of Kevin’s blood and his own. In his hand, Pochi gleamed.

Renji raised the wolf skull. A dark cloud spiraled in front of him, morphing into a giant wolf’s maw that snapped onto Kevin’s body, icy teeth biting deep into his scales. Kevin roared, thrashing to shake it off, but the construct held firm.

“Do you think you can defeat me with this?” Kevin bellowed.

“No,” Renji replied. “I don’t think I can.”

Kevin realized too late that neither of them could move. The sealing rune on Renji’s chest bound them both in mutual paralysis.

“What did you do to me?” Kevin growled.

“Erika, Gio!” Renji shouted. “Aim the Friendship at this lord of doom!”

“Friendship fully charged and ready!” Gio called out.

“All clear!” Erika added.

“Taste the power of Friendship,” Renji ordered. “Fire!”

The Veil Sealer unleashed a high-intensity mana beam that gouged a hole clean through Kevin’s chest. The dragon’s eyes widened. His body convulsed, then went limp, crashing into the monastery courtyard below. His form shrank until only his humanoid lizard shape remained.

Silence fell over the monastery.

The Friendship’s arrays dimmed. The stasis coffin’s lid slid open, and Princess Aoi sat up, blinking against the light. Her gaze landed on Renji, who stood in the courtyard covered in blood and ash, half-naked with the faint mark of the rune on his chest.

Princess Aoi raised her hands to shield her eyes.

“Princess Aoi!” Gio screamed, wrapping the princess in a crushing hug.

“Let go of me, you sultry woman!” Aoi protested, her voice muffled against Gio’s shoulder.

Renji watched with a tired smile, then turned and walked out into the night beneath the unchained stars.

***

In a private room at the Lotus Pavilion, Master Amakusa and Commander Takahara sat on silk cushions around a lacquered wooden table. The air smelled of incense and fresh tea.

“How is your wound, Takahara?” Amakusa asked.

“Improving,” Takahara replied. “Though I wish I had taken worse to save more people that night.”

“The rift at Nagashima two days ago was beyond our predictions,” Amakusa said. “Fortunately, we saved many.”

“Thousands still died.”

“Their blood is added to the Temple’s sins.”

A servant poured their tea.

“Thank you, Lady Fujiwara,” Amakusa said.

Fujiwara Akane set down the teapot. “You see right through my disguise, Master Amakusa.”

“Are you Inquisitor Fujiwara?” Takahara asked, stopping his cup mid-air.

“Indeed, Takahara the Hunter.”

“Any other developments?” Amakusa asked, lifting his cup.

“Inquisitor Hideo’s head was found on a pike,” Takahara reported. “His body was left in a nearby latrine.”

“Furuta is a master of dirty work,” Amakusa remarked.

“As expected of the Legendary Assassin,” Fujiwara added.

A bland-looking man entered the room. “Sorry I’m late,” he muttered. “Wait, I’m not late. You just arrived early.”

“Excuse me,” Takahara said, adjusting his posture. “This is a private meeting.”

“Welcome, Furuta,” Amakusa said. “Take a seat.”

Takahara’s eyes widened. “Furuta? Forgive me, I didn’t recognize you. The disguise is remarkable.”

“As expected of Furuta,” Fujiwara agreed.

“This is my actual face,” Furuta said flatly. “Are you insulting me?”

“Now, now, relax,” Amakusa said, raising his cup. “Let us enjoy our tea before we continue.”

The four drank in quiet comfort as the weight of their missions slowly lifted.

***

At Hisui Harbor, Renji and his companions boarded the Seaflower.

“Renji,” Princess Aoi said from the gangplank. “Father… I mean the Emperor wishes to reward you at the Imperial Palace. Will you attend?”

“Sorry, Princess,” Renji replied. “I’d prefer cash.”

Miko smacked the back of his head.

“I mean,” Renji quickly corrected, rubbing his skull, “the Emperor is busy with the crisis. I shouldn’t intrude.”

A small smile touched the Princess’s lips. “Very well. I shall return to Miyako no Mori. You remain our honored guest. Good bye for now.”

“Farewell, Princess.”

The Seaflower pulled away from the dock, its engine humming as Hisui shrank into the distance. Renji sat on the deck while the women unloaded their baggage inside the cabin.

“Why are you joining us?” Erika asked Miko, her tone sharp.

“Why wouldn’t I?” Miko countered. “I’ve known Renji since childhood.”

“What is that supposed to mean?”

“Interpret it however you like.”

“This journey will be interesting,” Gio concluded, lounging on a crate with a satisfied grin.

Renji leaned back, Pochi resting on his lap. The wolf skull’s empty sockets stared up at the morning sky.