Arc: Danger
Chapter 7 – The First Clash
"You've taken a village hostage, but you don't realize… we've caged our fear too,"
Yusugo's voice carried the calm before a storm. Standing before him was Fushiken, a presence so heavy that the air itself felt strained.
Fushiken smiled faintly. "I've only brought peace. You're the ones calling it war."
"Peace?" Yusugo opened his Script. "Peace doesn't come at the edge of destruction."
Then, the wind trembled.
Yusugo's first word flashed in the air — "Pressure"
The ground beneath rippled with force as energy surged toward Fushiken. But he didn't flinch.
Fushiken opened his own Script — "Decay"
Yusugo's energy weakened midair, like time itself was corroding it.
Their clash sent waves through the earth. A blinding glow surrounded them, their powers grinding against each other.
Kitsui called out, "Sir! Should we assist?"
Without turning, Yusugo said, "Not yet!"
Fushiken spun in the air and whispered another word — "Pierce"
His ink shaped into a sharp needle that shot toward Yusugo. Though he tried to dodge, it struck him on the left side.
"Ugh…" Yusugo fell to his knees.
Bokuro's blood boiled. "That's enough!"
He opened his Script — "Burn"
Red-hot ink flared from his emotions. Behind him stood Nensudo, Kitsui, and Yamakaze.
"You're not alone," Kitsui said.
"What's the plan?" Tatsuto asked, his Script ready.
"No plan," Gekjin whispered. "Just stop Fushiken."
Fushiken now faced six Scriptors. There was no fear in their eyes—only resolve.
Yamakaze wrote in the air — "Flash"
He vanished and reappeared behind Fushiken in an instant.
Nensudo growled a word — "Weight"
Fushiken's movements slowed, his steps became heavy.
Gekjin calmly said — "Lock"
Fushiken's Script froze for a moment, as if lifeless.
Kitsui attacked from the left — "Shatter"
Cracks formed in the air around Fushiken, warping the space near him.
Bokuro and Tatsuto shouted in unison:
"Engulf!"
"Strike!"
A wave of flames burst from Bokuro while a crushing force struck from Tatsuto's side.
A cloud of dust erupted. Silence followed.
"Did we… get him?" Kitsui asked.
But from within the smoke, Fushiken's silhouette emerged once more. Tired, but still standing.
"A decent effort," he said. "But you're not ready... not yet."
Bokuro gripped his Script tighter, replying,
"Then we'll be ready."
Fushiken stepped back slowly. "Not today… we'll meet at the next word."
And with that, he vanished into thin air. Kitsui and Nensudo rushed to help the wounded Yusugo.
"We need to move him somewhere safe," Tatsuto said.
Bokuro looked up at the sky and whispered in his heart,
"If this is just the beginning… how terrifying will the end be?"