UNKILLABLE IN ISEKAI: THE LAST

Chapter 5: Shadows Awakened

Joseph stood at the window of his chamber, a specially designed comfortable dungeon. As he gazed out, the sunlight danced across his face. He spotted Yoshi and Yoshito training in their secret courtyard, their movements a blur of fluid precision. Their skills were honed to perfection, a testament to their hyperversal prowess. Joseph's curiosity piqued, he wondered what lay beyond their rigorous training.

Joseph watched, captivated, as Yoshi and Yoshito clashed swords, their powerful blows echoing through the courtyard. Yoshi caught his eye and waved; Joseph reciprocated, feeling a connection.

As their training intensified, Yoshi broached the subject of Joseph's confinement. "Brother, if we're to trust Joseph, why not give him freedom to explore the kingdom? Holding him captive only fosters distrust."

Yoshito raised an eyebrow. "And what of his abilities? The Rada'Han and markings can only contain him for so long."

Yoshi's enthusiasm was unwavering. "His potential is unparalleled! His experiences, unimaginable. He's a wonder, brother."

Yoshito scoffed, his tone laced with skepticism. "Has he enchanted you with fantastical tales, Yoshi? Or perhaps something more?"

Yoshi's cheeks flushed, caught off guard. "What are you insinuating?"

Yoshito's gaze pierced. "Don't think I haven't noticed how you gaze at him, entranced. Even if his stories are true, it doesn't make him our savior or guarantee his intentions."

Their training session continued, with other knights, hunters, and knight hunters observing from the shadows.

Yoshito caught Yoshi off guard with a swift counterattack, gaining the upper hand once more. "Stay focused, brother," Yoshito urged, offering Yoshi a hand up. "The kingdom and the four lands depend on it. Our days as revered gods among allies and enemies alike are behind us. Now, even the most fearsome warriors can be brought down by the most unlikely foes."

Yoshito's eyes narrowed. "You're captivated by him, Yoshi. But let's not forget: truthfulness doesn't equate or guarantee benevolence. His intentions remain unclear. Joseph's own words betray his uncertainty – he's still searching for his purpose."

Yoshi's face fell, his expression tinged with sadness. Yoshito sensed his brother's unspoken thoughts and intervened before Yoshi could voice them.

"Family ties bind others to their own paths," Yoshito said, his tone firm. "Those who share our blood have their own burdens, just as our ancestors' legacy extends beyond our realm. The family's ancient oath binds more than just us, weaving a complex tapestry of responsibilities."

He paused, his gaze locked on Yoshi's.

"They, too, have duties to their lands and people, just as we have our obligations to our kingdom. Brother, we cannot forget our own duties."

Yoshi's eyes dropped, his shoulders sagging beneath the weight of Yoshito's words. The air was heavy with unspoken meaning as Yoshi whispered to himself, repeating the phrases like a mantra:

"Family ties bind others... Their own paths.

Shared blood, shared burdens.

A common heritage, binding obligations.

An ancestral legacy beyond our realm.

An ancient oath, weaving us together.

A complex tapestry of bloodlines."

His voice barely audible, Yoshi's gaze slowly rose, meeting Yoshito's intense stare. A flicker of understanding danced in his eyes, as if the truth was slowly unraveling.

Just as Yoshi and Yoshito concluded their training, a group of travelers arrived at the kingdom's gates. Their worn, tattered clothing and weary expressions told a tale of hardship.

Yoshi and Yoshito noticed the travelers and immediately stopped their training. Curiosity piqued, they approached the kingdom's entrance, alongside the travelers.

The travelers sought an audience with King Yusuke Kazuhiro, bearing dire news from their cities, prefectures, towns, villages and Islands.

Upon arriving at the castle, the travelers relayed their tale to the king and queen. "Monsters and supernatural attacks have ravaged our homes," one of them said. "Treasures, powerful relics hidden for safekeeping, have been taken by these beasts."

King Yusuke's expression turned grave. Queen Naomi's hands clenched, her eyes flashing with concern.

"Tell me, where exactly did these events occur?" King Yusuke asked.

The lead traveler pointed to the east. "Our city, Hakodate, lies three days' ride from here."

Yoshi and Yoshito exchanged knowing glances. This was no ordinary attack.

"Father, the outbreaks are spreading faster than we anticipated," Yoshito warned. "You mentioned these catastrophes just days ago. Time is crucial, but we're barely prepared."

King Yusuke's expression turned grave.

"Father, with your permission, I'd like to investigate these attacks," Yoshi requested. "Yoshito and Lyra can stay behind and defend the Kingdom while I lead a small team to uncover the truth."

King Yusuke exchanged a brief, knowing glance with Queen Naomi before nodding.

The solemn atmosphere was interrupted by a soft knock on the door. A high council member entered, seeking an audience with the monarchs regarding the impending council meeting.

The king discreetly received the message, his expression unwavering. Queen Naomi ensured their guest was comfortably accommodated while also preparing her sons for their perilous journey ahead.

As the group prepared to depart, Queen Naomi approached Yoshi. "Be cautious, son. There's more to this than mere monster attacks. I sense a darker force at play."

Yoshi nodded, determination etched on his face. "We'll uncover the truth, Mother."

With the mission set, the group gathered their gear, ready to face the unknown dangers ahead.

Meanwhile, in Joseph's chamber, where he had just finished eating and charming the maiden who brought his meal, an unexpected guest arrived—none other than Lyra herself. She entered silently, her presence commanding the room. Joseph, surprised by her sudden appearance, flashed a playful smile.

“To what do I owe this pleasure?” he asked, his tone light. “Am I in trouble? Last I checked, I'm still here, not causing any chaos. Besides, I barely see you around—except for that one time.”

Lyra stood still, her gaze sharp and unyielding, as she hummed softly, her silence unsettling.

“Aren't you going to say anything?” Joseph prodded, a hint of curiosity in his voice. When she remained silent, he added, “Ah, I see. You’re giving me the ‘Batman vibe.’ Pretty dope—for a witch!”

He continued teasingly, “So, are you the female version of Merlin from Camelot or maybe the Seven Deadly Sins? Or perhaps Zeddicus Zu'l Zorander or Shota from the *Sword of Truth*?” 

Lyra finally broke her silence, her voice cutting through the air. “You talk too much for someone like you.”

Joseph was taken aback, a slight gasp escaping him as he watched her closely.

“I believe we haven't formally introduced ourselves,” Lyra said, her tone calm but firm. “I am Lyra, the royal witch and protector of the family royalty and the kingdom. Your presence has caused an anomaly in this kingdom. I sense a dark uprising looming, tied to you.”

Joseph’s playful demeanor shifted as Lyra's words grew serious. “What are your true intentions, Joseph?” she asked pointedly. “Why are you really here?”

Joseph’s expression darkened. “Why do you see me as a threat? Why do you and Yoshito treat me like some unpredictable force? Yoshi doesn’t view me that way, but you all do. And now you have scholars and mages treating me like some experiment.”

Lyra hummed softly again. “You didn’t answer my question,” she said.

“I’m done answering questions,” Joseph shot back, his voice firm, his gaze locking with hers. “I need answers.”

Lyra lowered her head for a moment, then raised it again, her eyes betraying a mix of emotions. “You want to know why we see you as a threat?” she asked. “It’s not just because of the prophecy. It’s because of the seal on your forehead.”

Joseph's brow furrowed in confusion. “The seal?”

“Yes,” Lyra continued, her voice steady but burdened. “Even with the seal, I can still sense an unprecedented power within you—raw, uncontrolled. Your aura is boundless, surpassing anything we’ve encountered in all the kingdoms and empires.”

She paused, her eyes reflecting pain and doubt. “Not even those whose aura spans God-level outerversal power can match yours. Your aura aligns with what is described as the *Infinite Tier*.”

The name struck a chord in Joseph’s memory—*Infinite Tier*—a term Yoshi had mentioned in passing during one of their conversations. For a moment, Joseph was silent, processing Lyra’s words. He could hear the weight of hurt in her voice, the vulnerability she tried to mask.

“Lyra…” he called softly. “You're hurt. I’m sorry.”

Lyra averted her gaze, trying to hide her emotions, but it was too late. Joseph had already sensed her pain. Just as he was about to speak again, the door creaked open, and Xiao Xiao entered, requesting an audience with Joseph regarding the Xentrocurnia Prime Tech Orb.

The tension in the room shifted, but the questions hanging between Joseph and Lyra remained, waiting for another time to be addressed.

As Lyra was about to leave, granting Joseph and Xiao Xiao privacy to discuss, Xiao Xiao’s voice halted her. She insisted that someone remain present in case Joseph attempted anything suspicious. Joseph rolled his eyes, muttering sarcastically, “How wonderful.”

Xiao Xiao then began questioning Joseph about the Xentrocurnia Prime Tech Orb. Joseph quickly deduced that Xiao Xiao had somehow activated the device.

“Yes, Joseph. I activated it—with some help,” Xiao Xiao admitted, a hint of pride in her voice. “Your technology is incredible. How did you come across it?”

Joseph smirked. “Well, it doesn’t belong to me specifically. It’s actually from a female variant of mine.”

“XPT,” Joseph said aloud, causing the orb to react. Its activation stunned both Xiao Xiao and Lyra as the device floated from Xiao Xiao’s hand to Joseph. Lyra instinctively prepared herself for any suspicious action from Joseph, but Xiao Xiao remained calm, observing the scene closely.

Noticing Lyra’s tension, Joseph reassured her. “I’m not going to do anything rash. I only want to check its status,” he said calmly. “No need for alarm, Lyra. If I wanted to escape, I would have done so the moment Xiao Xiao brought it in.”

He then requested a status update from the Xentrocurnia Prime Tech Orb. The orb responded, displaying its condition. Xiao Xiao marveled at the sight, while Lyra, though still cautious, eased her posture.

“It’s in good shape,” Joseph said, glancing at Xiao Xiao. “Overcharged, actually. It seems your mage’s magic amplified it a bit.”

He handed the device back to Xiao Xiao as Lyra relaxed. “You’re the first human to make contact with it in a while. But, knowing the orb, it can be overly flattering. Probably just means it hasn’t had a human host in a long time,” Joseph added with a smile.

He continued to explain, “The Xentrocurnia Prime Tech Orb is essentially a device that can create anything you can imagine. But, being a prototype, it quickly drains energy, depending on the task.”

Xiao Xiao listened intently as Joseph detailed its capabilities. “It can do almost anything, but it has limits. It drains faster when performing tasks like time travel, reversing or stopping time, resurrecting the dead, and more. It can create pocket dimensions, scan and mimic life forms and abilities, perform limited magic, and manipulate science-based energies. It even charges itself through solar energy.”

"Additionally, beyond its solar-based recharging, it can also self-recharge using its internal energy reserves or autonomously, though the latter process takes longer. Its power can be amplified or enhanced through both magical and scientific methods. Moreover, any ammunition fired can be recalled and reloaded for reuse. Furthermore, it has the ability to amplify external forms of magic or scientific processes, making it a versatile tool for boosting other systems or abilities it interacts with," he explained.

Joseph elaborated further, “It’s nearly indestructible for a prototype but not invincible. It can multitask and sustain limited damage, and its holographic weaponry can incapacitate or kill, depending on how it’s used.”

He smiled and added, “If my female variant had waited and acquired the original instead of the prototype, she would have been a *Techno-God*.”

"I suppose that's how Tekno-Boy would describe it," he added with a grin. "That guy's tech is on another level, and the hacking skills he picked up from his sister, the Hacker, are nothing short of badass."

Joseph explained how the device had been used to save entire planets and races across the galaxy, and how his female variant had entrusted several allies in other worlds with its power.

“Incredible,” Xiao Xiao muttered, awestruck. “With this, anything is possible.”

“Exactly,” Joseph nodded. “But don’t push it too hard. The recharge process is a pain if you overuse it, not to mention the risk of overheating.”

Joseph then grinned. “So, when can I have my tech back?”

Xiao Xiao smiled but didn’t budge. “Don’t be too hasty, Joseph. We need to fully assess your potential first.”

Satisfied with her newfound knowledge, Xiao Xiao thanked Joseph for his help and made her way out, leaving Joseph and Lyra to their lingering conversation.

As Lyra paused at Joseph's voice, he spoke with a calm sincerity that caught her off guard. “I’m sorry for any hurt you’ve been through, Lyra. I hope we can be on good terms.”

He continued, “I’m not a threat. As much as you need answers about my existence, I’m also searching for the same answers. I don’t mean to be upsetting or rude, but I’d love to know you better—at your convenience.”

"In that way, we can both help each other understand one another better," Joseph said warmly.

Lyra’s expression softened, and she nodded gently, a faint smile breaking through her serious demeanor before she turned and left, her mind swirling with questions and uncertainties.

***

Meanwhile, in the grand hall of the kingdom, the high council convened for an urgent meeting. The atmosphere was tense as they discussed the dire situation facing their kingdom and its territories. Reports of unrest and unusual occurrences were rising, and the prophecy of the savior loomed over their discussions like a shadow.

“The prophecy states that a great power will rise to either save or doom us,” one elder spoke gravely. “We must prepare for both possibilities. We cannot let our guard down.”

Elsewhere, in the shadows of the kingdom’s outskirts, several groups of renegades gathered, each one simmering with their own agendas and motives. They were poised to launch a coordinated attack on the kingdom, intent on sowing chaos, division, and ultimately, conquering the land.

In a hidden chamber, a diabolical ritual unfolded. Cloaked figures surrounded a dark altar, chanting incantations in an ancient language. The air crackled with malevolent energy as they summoned something of great evil, a force that would bring about utter destruction if unleashed. The flickering candlelight illuminated twisted symbols carved into the stone, the atmosphere thick with anticipation and dread as they awaited the arrival of their summoned darkness. 

The kingdom's fate hung in the balance, teetering between hope and despair.