Heavenly Bonds

Chapter 4: The Jewel of Four Souls

After receiving the command from the Water Deity of the Gods, the three young deities, Snow Sky Dog, Kurogami Masayuki, and Mizuchi Haruka, swiftly flew off to fulfill the assigned mission. They soared over the vast ocean and reached the southern forest.

Touching down in the southern forest, where the rebellious youkai emanated a dark power, they found themselves in the habitat of these creatures. Despite being a dwelling place for youkai, the forest appeared beautiful and romantic. It was autumn, and golden leaves covered the forest, evoking a poetic atmosphere.

"We've arrived, my companions!" Kurogami Masayuki spoke with a vigilant tone.

"I wonder how important this mission is that our master assigned it to all three of us," Mizuchi Haruka questioned.

"Of course, it's crucial, my dear sister! If it weren't important, our master wouldn't have sent all three of us to this desolate and dull forest!" Snow Sky-Dog nonchalantly replied.

"Desolate and dull? How can you say that? You lack an artistic soul! I find this forest enchanting and romantic," Mizuchi Haruka retorted, teasingly and resolutely.

"Do you feel that way? In that case, when I marry you, we'll live in this romantic and enchanting forest! Do you find my idea interesting, flower princess?" Snow Sky Dog teased back.

"Enough, both of you! Stop talking about love all the time. I'm getting sick of your intense romance!" Kurogami Masayuki said, whether in genuine annoyance or jesting with his friends was unclear.

"Oh! Someone is jealous! Big brother, you should support Snow Sky Dog and me being in love. Or do you see Snow Sky-Dog as a rival?" Mizuchi Haruka teased Kurogami Masayuki, clearly enjoying provoking him.

"As if I would be jealous of you two! Let me make it clear, because I'm not as promiscuous as a snow wolf if I wanted to, a hundred goddesses, all more beautiful than Mizuchi Haruka, would surround me as a normal occurrence," Kurogami Masayuki exaggeratedly asserted his charm.

"Are you implying a hundred goddesses surrounding you to beat you up, right?" Snow Sky-Dog joined in the banter.

"Snow wolf, you know nothing! Do you think you're the only handsome god here? You're just a study failure skilled at seducing women," Kurogami Masayuki fiercely retorted to Snow Sky Dog's teasing.

"Ha, ha, but I like Snow Sky-Dog just the way he is! As for you, Kurogami Masayuki, big brother, you're strong, but you're not as interesting as my snow wolf. Isn't that right, Snow Sky Dog, the one I love?" Mizuchi Haruka defended Snow Sky Dog.

"I hope the youkai eat you up." Kurogami Masayuki spoke, with a tone that was half irritation and half jest.

While the three friends were having a lively conversation, a menacing sound approached them. The threatening sound tore through the cheerful and peaceful atmosphere in the forest.

"Humph, the world of the gods is truly lacking capable individuals, which is why they sent three fools like you to deal with our youkai!"

All three friends turned their gaze towards the source of the voice. Strangely and frighteningly, the one emitting the intimidating sound was a youkai dragon. Its appearance was bizarre, and it radiated a dark aura.

"Hey, arrogant youkai dragon! You're not the first one to comment on us like that. But let me tell you, those who mock us like you, end up regretting it!" Snow Sky-Dog showed no fear of the youkai dragon, his eyes expressing determined and terrifying courage. This was the opportunity for him to make a significant achievement, and he wouldn't miss it.

"Snow Sky Dog, I leave this youkai dragon to you. Show it how strong you are and make it regret uttering those words," Kurogami Masayuki encouraged Snow Sky-Dog sincerely, with hope shining in his eyes.

"I know, big brother, rest assured, I'll 'take care' of this youkai dragon very well. If it dared to offend us, it's sure to regret it!" Snow Sky-Dog resolutely replied.

The youkai dragon scoffed at Snow Sky Dog.

"A weakling deserves contempt! Today, I, Ryujin, Dragon Deity of the Sea, will reveal to you the truth of your incompetence."

A strange light flashed, pulling the three friends into a parallel dimension. This was the magic creating a parallel world by Ryujin, the Dragon Deity of the Sea. Now, the three found themselves in a vast arena surrounded by the sea. Snow Sky Dog spoke to Kurogami Masayuki and Mizuchi Haruka:

"Both of you go up to the stands of this colossal arena to observe me defeat this youkai dragon. Rest assured, I won't lose!"

Kurogami Masayuki and Mizuchi Haruka flew up to the stands, taking their seats to watch the battle between Snow Sky Dog and Ryujin.

The battle began with an icy wind from Snow Sky Dog, creating massive ice blocks around the arena, sent rapidly toward Ryujin. Ryujin responded with a powerful strike from his hand, manipulating colossal waves to counter the incoming ice blocks. The clash of the power of snow and the power of the sea created a magnificent and spectacular confrontation.

Snow Sky-Dog agilely leaped over the waves, slid on the ice blocks, and used his icy sword to create powerful snowstorms. Ryujin retaliated by using the surrounding water to form towering walls, impeding the force of the snowstorm. The atmosphere grew tense as both sides exerted maximum effort.

Snow Sky-Dog suddenly intensified the chilling wind to a terrifying level, creating a thick layer of snow covering the ground. Ryujin struggled to avoid slipping on this snow layer. Seizing the opportunity, Snow Sky-Dog created a colossal ice column thrusting towards Ryujin. The youkai dragon had to use his hand to block, but the ice column pushed him back a step.

Seizing the moment, Snow Sky-Dog rushed in, generating a powerful snowstorm that engulfed Ryujin. He tried to regain his strength, but the relentless snowstorm weakened him. Finally, a fierce blow from Snow Sky-Dog knocked Ryujin down, causing him to collapse and shiver on the ground.

Wanting to conclude the battle quickly, Snow Sky-Dog raised his hand, preparing for a decisive strike, but Ryujin quickly retreated. While fleeing, a soul gem fell from Ryujin's pouch, and he had no mood to retrieve it.

Feeling Ryujin's defeat, Snow Sky-Dog quickly returned and informed Kurogami Masayuki and Mizuchi Haruka in the stands.

"Look, my companions! We have won this battle, and now we have the soul gem. Chase after Ryujin and retrieve it before he has a chance to recover!"

All three friends pursued the defeated Youkai dragon. However, after a while, Ryujin vanished from their sight. But most importantly, in this mission, they had successfully obtained the four-soul gem.