"The real test had begun," I whispered as I dashed alongside others into the thickest path of the forest. It looked gory, but the outcome might be convincingly good.
Suddenly, I heard a loud scream that echoed from the thick forest. I stopped running, using my legs as breaks, as I and some people came to a halt.Almost immediately, the forest flipped over, it looked like I was falling......."Damn!" I shouted in my heart, I felt a pinch of fear, my heart started beating like it was the drums of rock musicians.Still struggling to avoid falling, I tried to swerve my body in the process, but it was to late. Sequentially, everything went back to normal.At our front, I saw a desolate land it that had little bushes, but still it was so silent, wait! Don't tell me..........."It's an illusion" someone whispered to one of his fellas"Damn! It seems like we are missing something." I thought to myself.--------------------------------------------------------*General Hiroshi's (POV).Huff! I Wonder how fushi's coping."Hinata, you think he's really gonna make it?" I asked."Yeah but, I'm only sure about the practical aspect, I'm sure he is at least intelligent enough to scale through". she replied."Yeah, but the second batch trials would be eight times tougher than the first" I said"So? That doesn't mean everyone's gonna fail because of that, so have faith in your son for once!" She retorted."Well then, let's hope for the best""Now you're talking" she smiled as she says this."Give me a minute, I'll be back" she says"Yeah whatevs." I replied her with a boring look.I let out a deep sigh as I tried to encourage myself that he'll scale through.I never thought that a situation that'll make him to enlist in the army would be as gruesome as that.Teresa, I've missed you so much.Son, Hikaru, why did you guys have to make fushi pass through the middle of the sun, it isn't easy for me to play all the roles of the family but, I know it wasn't your fault, it was those damned bandits, why did i even have to be a soldier in the first place, I said with clenched fists.Oh! That's because I attended army schools, because it was my ambition.I let out another sigh, then I smiled, muttering to myself, saying:"Nothing comes easy in life".I pointed at the sky and said,"Don't go down without a fight son".----------------------------------------------MC's POV(point of view)***"I can't go down without a fight." I told myself, trying to I calm myself for a moment, then a broad smile can be seen glaringly on my face."As if a mere illusion can stop me" I said loudly as I dashed into the forest that was so silent and desolate."He has gone bananas""He's lost it"_People whispered to themselves as they saw me running hopelessly.They we're right, who the hell will tread into this forest But I couldn't stay looking,could I?As I looked back, I noticed that some people followed me. They also believed that it was the best and only option left.I faced my front, not tending to care, then I smiled & shouted "let's go!","Yeah!!!" They echoed in unison, which boosted the morale of everyone that followed me, including myself, then we moved at a faster pace, entering right into danger.***"Make sure you're on guard!" I shouted as I called their attention.It's been twenty minutes since we scrambled, it's now getting annoying.And luckily I have to lead this guys pfft!They be looking up to me, I don't have the slightest clue."But, that doesn't mean we are backing down" I echoed."Oooohh!!!" The others echoed also in synchronization.Urrrgh! Must they reply every single thing I say, so dumb!"This is surely interesting."I was now grinning in excitement.Suddenly,.........Thick roots emerges from the ground and sweeps at us, it grabs few of us, but I didn't seem to care because, there were a lot of people so how would I save them all?"Well I just need to survive" I muttered to myself."Yes!!!". They all echoed.Wait! How the hell are they hearing me?Ah ha!, it's because this forest is very desolate."Well then, save yourselves."I dashed through the forest with a higher pace than before, as I & others kept running, it was like another veil was placed or removed but, I couldn't tell.I turned back in awe, and everyone that I was indirectly leading were gone, it seemed that the game was over for me, as I swerved my head in different directions.--------------------------------------------"Hey", I heard a voice, that almost made me trip.He was sitting on a log of wood,"Welcome." He said coldly."It seems like you've been placed under the namizagi." He nods in disappointment"What? And what the hell is a nami..."_He interrupts_"Namizagi is a top tier spell that causes illusion or in other words misapprehension. It causes the victim to have a misconception or misunderstanding, which leads to seeing things that seems to be but, it's not."I was so clueless of the situation, so I had to exercise patience but time was running out, so I asked."How do you know, and who told you that?"."I know because, I'm also a participant,It was gramps that told me"_He said frenziedly."My name is Shinsui kyonotaro." He said"Oh!" I said blankly.I keep entering sh*tty situations."And we are both at a point of no return." He said in a scary manner,I removed his hands away from my body and asked,"What do you mean?"He begins to explain,"When the test started, everyone was running towards the same direction, as I ran further, I looked back & saw ten people, who didn't move a morsel.Oh yeah!, that's true, I also looked back, and there were ten individuals standing firm, they weren't even flinching, where did I get it wrong?_I thought.When we dashed towards the Forest, some set of people paused on hearing a loud scream emanating from the thick forest, approximately, nine hundred people are in the thick forest.The thing is, there were only two options at the beginning, either you wait or you tread into danger. Anyone that doesn't do one of the two options, is one step away from failing".Crap! I guess this is all I can offer. This is not good."But!,There's also another way to pass the test, to those who halted & got flipped into namizagi must walk as a synchronized group, if they encounter any disaster they mustn't get caught in it or else, they will fail."What?! So those ones that the root caught had already lost?" I inquired.He nods in affirmation, then explains the reasons. It seemed like he was well informed."The reason behind them failing will be the second occurrence of flipped dimensions, to those who escaped that scene, they would be granted a new permit to enter the thick forest with the other nine hundred individuals, it's like a risky shortcut but those ten who waited have already passed the test".Damn! Here I was, thinking that getting into sync was a drag but now it looks like I'm the one losing."How did they pass the test"_I asked."Well, they we're careful enough to wait and observe, then they witnessed the flipping of dimensions with their eyes, while they we're thinking of what to do, they we're awarded the top ten positions in the tests which gives them the opportunity to be ranked in the lowest unit of the military, which is the 'private class', the two things they're testing us for is calmness & bravery.The first ten passed through the easiest and most technical way which is; Calmness, and observation.While the rest of us have to pass through bravery and the nine hundred people that entered into the forest despite the loud screams and goriness, have the edge over the rest at the moment.I let out a depressed sigh after hearing this."so what's our status?"I asked while holding my forehead with my palm."Our status? I thought I said we were at a point of no return." He said. "We've failed, we are the only two with no chances of passing, apart from the ones who got flipped twice."No! This can't be possible, man!I was so full of myself, think! think! think!"How come you have much Intel on this test?". I asked to test if he was lying or saying the truth."Well I was already aware of some because gramps told me, the rest was with my IQ.I mean, don't you know the same also?"I chuckled and replied,"I'm not that intelligent"."Well what are we going to do now?"He asked, placing his hand on my shoulderI removed his hands off me"I'll just keep running till I enter right into the competition"_I said with a glimpse of hope."You'll keep running? What about me?" He sulked."I don't care, do what you want to do, off I go!". I said audibly."Please! Let me follow you, this place is so gory!". He was now holding my legs,As I removed his hands from my body, he clings to my leg even harderI let out a deep sigh. "Alright! Just follow me""I'm to scared!" He says as he begins to forge crocodile tears"As if that'll will fool me." I whispered. "Well please yourself". I said, before dashing into the depths of the field but then, I felt a little extra weight on my ankles, then I noticed..........."How the hell, did you?..." I mumbled, not completing the statement.He was clinging to my leg this whole time! His cloth was torn in some places as he was unknowingly dragged by me."Please, I'm so scared!" He says comically.Jeez! Is this guy really scared or he's just a coward? Well, I'll go with he is a lazy coward."Fine! I'll walk with you but, you must walk fast.""No problem, thank you you're a lifesaver!" He cried."Whatever!" I said blankly as I tried to remove his hands from my legs."Whatever" I said blankly as I tried to remove his hands from my legs.***After another ten minutes of intense running, I seemed to be wearing out, and Shinsui's complaints and discouragements made matters worse."Keep quiet! Jeez! I'm trying to find a way out of here, and all you're doing is lamenting and discouraging me"I talked to him in a cool manner but I was obviously frustrated, he kept saying we should turn back, and accept defeat. Never!."B...bu....but.. I'm so scared" He muttered, twiddling his index fingers."Then turn back" I said coldly"I can't turn back except you accept to turn back also!" He protested."Arrrrrgh! Then just follow me. In fact why are you even following me?" I said with a frustrated look."Okay! I'll follow you!" He says as he wipes his tears. Although, I still feel that he's faking his tears just to allow me to accompany him.Just then, It felt as if I was hearing some minimal noises which isn't meant to be heard, like the strange and continuous rust
"No need to thank me, I know I'm to awesome." He smiled as he said those words, it was evident that he was already blushing,But, were we gonna make it in time?"Don't let my little praise get to your head, you understand?" I said in a friendly but, commanding manner."Yes!" He replied almost immediately."Man, he's really scary." He said inwardly.We continued moving at a slow-fast pace,Man! My body hurts! It now looked as if he was now dragging me, I could hardly walk."Are you sure you don't want me to carry you?" He asks. "I...me..mean, aren't you tired?""As if this could stop Me!"I scoffed, but before I could finish the statement, blood ran down my jaws as I fell on my knees, then got back up almost immediately.I pretended to be fine, as I wiped the blood with a napkin, before disposing it."Ahhhh!. I said in a relieved manner "This is a drag.""Just make sure you keep holding on to me" Shinsui whispered.Phew! I managed to make him believe that I'm fine but, within me I was b
Oh! I didn't pay attention, just imagine what would have happened if I hadn't met this guy.Huff! I don't know but,it seems like bitterness is sweeter than sweetness itself.I'm so confused, there are a lot of questions unanswered in my life."Arrghh! What the hell I'm I thinking of?" I shook my head from one side to another, as I tried to clear my mind of any negative thought.I don't know but, the main aim for joining the army is to protect the country and it's people but, I guess I just want to exterminate all forms of evil, I don't mind if I make an universal war to spring up.All I want to do is to exterminate evil, that's all I want......"I just sounded like a tyrant." I mumbled, as I laughed inwardly."Man! I don't know what gets into me sometimes but."Oh! We're almost visible to others now, and Shinsui was still helping me. Wait! What if we get disqualified from the tests for helping each other, since this test is done individually, I mustn't risk it. Not when we've almost re
"That's all? Tsk!" I thought, as I slightly clenched my fists.Oh! I forgot to ask whether i was in the top five thousand, arrgghh! What a drag!It was now evening, the weather was cool, and the atmosphere was dull and boring, as I kept staring at the ceiling till I slept off.I rolled from Left to right, then after few seconds of rolling, I woke up."Is it morning already?" I muttered to myself as I stretched my body. I was now feeling healthier and comfortable than yesterday.I got up from the bed, then walked towards the mini bathroom."It's nice to be well treated." I thought.After I entered, I brushed my teeth, then took my bath. As I was drying up my body, I stared at the mirror. My (thin) moustache was already getting evident, it made me look more matured and handsome but, I didn't like it that much. Although I barely had beards, but I felt they were way cooler than moustaches, soo......I shaved the moustache off. As I finished shaving the poor moustache, I washed my face wit
"Now to the top five thousand!" He says audibly."It's nice knowing this year's application for the army is very high. The top five thousand (4990) like I promised, will get their reward.Every year, the top five thousand most impressive during both waves of trials, which equals to ten thousand can choose to belong to the marine, air force or militias. But, this is only applicable when you pass the written aspect.""Cmon, why the hell did we go through all those sh*tty situations?" An unknown voice echoed and it was backed up by the remaining applicants but, silence followed thereafter. No one wanted to test the army's patience."You see," General Minamino continues his speech, not minding the person that questioned his authority indirectly."The practical aspect, is another method of eliminating unnecessary numbers, the top five thousand will still retain their reward, only if they pass the written aspect. And, this is for all of you apart from the top ten that were promoted, if you f
With ten minutes left, tons of people have been sent out, and my page is still empty."Jeez! What am I going to do?" I pondered.How am I going to scale through this? Man this is not good....As I was pondering on the next thing to do, she walks up to me."Have I done something wrong?" I thought."Hello, are you having any problems?" She asks with a broad smile."Yes of course, why do you think everyone's staring at the ceiling, and chewing their writing pens?" I said Inwardly."I'm sorry, you say what?" I asked in the politest way, so as to prevent any problems. You know, it could get to her head, and she decides to send me out so, I must take the safest route in communicating with her."That's a bit rude." She says as she kept smiling."Okay that's creepy." I thought."Well no need to panic, my name is Leonard Iris. You can call me Iris." she says with no malicious intention."Sorry mam," I said, almost being sarcastic. "What do you want?" I asked humbly, "Eh! You're really interest
I stared at her blankly as she looked at me in awe.I don't know but it felt like she was expecting me to pacify her, even though it was with just a word. It looked like joy had been restored to her heart, as she was smiling broadly in no time."Everyone submit." She said with authority.Eh! Su... bb...... mi..mit? Is time over?Damn I've failed this exam, how the hell was time up?As I tried to look into my script, it was already gone.I looked back up, and everyone's script was now with Iris."Arrrgghh! I never wanted to fall into her trap but, it looks like she got me." I thought, as I gave her a lazy stare."Crap! And this was how I failed." I whispered to myself.Iris was still smiling at me but, I was already crying internally.H.. How did the time move so fast?"I hope you did your best?." She said as she walked past me.Yes, I did my worst! I'm done for this time!.----------------------------------->"I summoned y'all to this meeting because of the casualtie
We were told to go to the place where instructions was given to us by the general of the army before the practicals took place, it looked like there was an update in our test results.Still standing at the said location for five minutes without any of the generals or officers around, was so annoying. Especially when I was aware that I was in no position of being lucky enough, to pass the written aspect.After all I didn't write down a single alphabet, apart from my name and personal details until I submitted. Or should I say until it was hijacked!I was still soliloquising until I noticed that everyone was now silent. As I looked up, I saw the whole crew that coordinated the exams except for my aunt and dad.General Minamino removes his jacket, placing them on his shoulders as he prepared to take his speech."I can see your faces are brimming with joy. Despair not, for you all did a great job!" General Minamino announced."A great job? That's nice of you to be mocking us ironical
They searched the area meticulously, but there were no signs of struggle, no footprints, and no clues beyond the strange symbols Binary had found. It was as if William had been plucked from the battlefield by an unseen force.As the sun began to set, they decided to set up camp nearby. They needed rest and a chance to regroup before continuing their search. But Fushi’s mind refused to settle. He couldn’t shake the feeling that something—or someone—was watching them.*_*The team approached a hidden lair on the outskirts of Sangotaro, their footsteps soundless against the forest floor. They had followed every clue, traced every lingering trail of magic and whispers across enemy territories, and now, after months of relentless searching, they were finally here.The lair stood half-buried within a hill, camouflaged by creeping vines and ancient stone. A dull hum of power radiated from within, as if the walls themselves pulsed with restraine
A full year had passed since the infamous battle with Joe, and though the Sangotaro forces had emerged victorious, peace was still a fleeting illusion. Tensions simmered just beneath the surface of diplomacy. Joe and Laina had been dispatched to a neutral territory, Norlund, a nation within the W-5 alliance that still maintained treaty talks with Sangotaro. While they served as emissaries, the rest of the W-5 alliance grew more hostile, viewing Sangotaro’s growing influence as a threat. Meanwhile, Sangotaro’s generals, eager to prevent any coalition from fully forming, launched a series of covert attacks across the W-5 nations. Troops were sent on sabotage missions, engaging in brutal skirmishes that saw both modern weapons and supernatural powers clash on the battlefield. Soldiers armed with rifles and grenades fought alongside those who wielded abilities capable of bending reality itself. Flames and bullets filled the air, explosions rocked cities, and the skies darkened with smok
The towering gates of the Sangotaro army base loomed ahead as Fushi and Arianne made their way back. The journey had been quiet, both of them lost in their own thoughts. Fushi was unsure how his father, General Hiroshi, and the head of the army, General Minamino, would react to his plea on Arianne’s behalf. She had been an enemy not too long ago, and bringing her back into the fold of the Sangotaro forces was a gamble. As they approached the main hall, Fushi steeled himself. Arianne, beside him, had her face set in determined resolve, though a flicker of anxiety remained in her eyes. Inside the hall, General Hiroshi and General Minamino stood conversing in low tones, with General Nazumoto leaning casually against a nearby wall. Fushi could feel his heart beating in his chest, each step toward them heavier than the last. “Father,” Fushi started, bowing his head in respect, “I come with a request.” Hiroshi, his sharp eyes focused on his son, raised an eyebrow. “What is it, Fushi?” F
Fushi drifted in the depths of unconsciousness, his body still and unmoving, yet his mind was far from at peace. A voice echoed in the void, a cold, sinister whisper that sliced through the darkness like a blade.“Coward,” the voice sneered. “Why don’t you just sleep forever? You’re nothing but a failure.”Fushi, though disoriented, tried to respond. “Who are you?” he asked, his voice a shaky echo in the empty space around him.The answer came quickly, almost mockingly. “I am your conscience, the part of you that will soon take over. You’re weak, and I’m tired of waiting. Soon, this body will be mine.”Suddenly, Fushi was no longer floating in the darkness. His vision shifted, and he found himself standing in what seemed like his own sea of consciousness. The sky above was a void, starless and black, with only faint streaks of red lightning breaking through the oppressive gloom. The ground beneath his feet was cold and damp, littered wit
The news of Joe’s defeat spread like wildfire across Sangotaro. Whispers filled the air like a relentless storm, carrying both shock and relief. Joe, the once-feared leader of the Nefarious Team, had been brought down. His defeat was a major victory for the Sangotaro armed forces, but not all was well. The sudden disappearance of William, added a shadow of concern that no one could shake off. The army felt it deeply—a lingering unease, like the calm before another storm.As the Sangotaro forces began to return to base, their footsteps heavy with the weight of the war, the scene was a grim reminder of what battles leave behind. Death, injuries, and the bittersweet taste of victory. Soldiers limped back, their faces etched with pain and loss. The victory over Joe’s forces didn’t erase the scars left behind. The Limo clan, once on the brink of chaos, was now back in check. A new leader was appointed to replace the fallen, and the clan slowly returned to its former st
Joe lay on the ground, his body broken and bloodied, the spear wound in his chest leaking the last of his strength. His cosmic aura had long since faded, leaving him looking small and fragile against the towering forms of General Hiroshi and General Nazumoto. His breathing was ragged, each gasp seeming to pull him closer to the edge of death.Yet, even in his defeated state, his eyes burned with a mix of fury and disbelief as he gazed up at Kenji, his once trusted friend who now stood over him, the wooden spear still dripping with Joe’s dark blood.“Why, Kenji?” Joe rasped, his voice a mere whisper of the thunderous power it once held. “Why would you betray us? Betray me?”Kenji’s purple eyes flickered with an emotion Joe couldn’t quite place. Sorrow? Regret? Whatever it was, it didn’t change the fact that the man who had stood by his side through countless battles was now the one to bring him down. Kenji knelt beside him, his expression calm but filled with a deep weariness. “I saw
The air grew thick with tension as Joe faced the two generals—Nazumoto, a figure wreathed in mist, and Hiroshi, with his steely eyes and unyielding gun. The battlefield felt small beneath the enormity of their powers. Dust and debris scattered with every impact, and the ground beneath them quivered as though terrified of what was to come.Nazumoto’s mist swirled around Joe, obscuring his vision, but Joe’s eyes never wavered. He could feel Nazumoto’s presence, the way the air shifted when the general moved. Without warning, a fist as large as a boulder slammed into Joe’s side, sending him skidding across the ground, his boots tearing through the earth like a plow through soil. Joe gritted his teeth, twisting his body mid-slide to brace himself for the next blow.Nazumoto appeared from the fog again, his fists hammering down like thunder. Joe barely had time to dodge, each punch creating shockwaves that shattered the rocks beneath him. He swung back, his ow
A deep, unsettling hum reverberated through the battlefield as the blue, maze-like borders began to form around Joe’s feet, glowing with unnatural light. The lines traced the air around him, like cracks spreading across the very fabric of reality. The energy swirling around him intensified, a dark storm brewing in the heart of Joe’s aura. His eyes glowed with a malevolent gleam as he locked onto his two adversaries—General Hiroshi and General Nazumoto.The two generals stood their ground, their expressions hardened, but even they could feel the oppressive weight of Joe's power pressing down on them. It was like standing on the edge of an abyss, staring into the unknown depths.Joe’s voice was a cold whisper, barely audible but filled with malice. “You think you’re ready for me? Let’s see how long you can last.”Nazumoto was the first to move. His massive frame suddenly blurred as a thick mist began to rise around him, obscuring his form in a shroud of gray fog. The mist curled and t
Clark’s face was tight with worry as he paced back and forth, his fists clenched in frustration. The weight of the situation was suffocating, and he couldn't shake the image of Fushi being dragged away. He needed answers, and fast.“You said they took him?” Leonard Iris asked, her voice measured, though there was a sharp edge to her words. She stood with her arms crossed, watching Clark intently.Clark nodded, his voice strained as he explained, “They took him, Leonard. Fushi is gone, and I don’t know where they’ve taken him.” He ran a hand through his hair, exhaling sharply. “How bad is it, Leonard? Tell me straight.”Leonard sighed, her eyes darkening. "It’s bad, Clark. Not as bad as it could be, but bad enough. We’ve got most places under control. The soldiers Joe’s been funding with W-5 money? Defeated. The Limo clan? They’re neutralized. But Joe and the rest of his nefarious crew are still out there. And they’re not going to go down easily.”Before Clark could respond, a brillia