Chrono Vanguard

Chrono Vanguard - Chapter 4: Strix's Revelation

Emi and her team stood amongst the ruins, their spirits burdened by the recent battle and the weight of their unfulfilled mission. As they considered making their next move, a stranger named Strix suddenly appeared before them, his presence both mysterious and intriguing.

"Emi, I've been sent by our leader," Strix began, his voice carrying an air of authority. "We are allies, and I played a role in your Chronoportation Watch's manifestation. That lightning strike was unintentional; it could have hit anyone."

Emi and her friends quickly looked at each other. They had so many questions, and Strix seemed to hold the answers. Without hesitation, he led them to a seemingly ordinary water well.

"This well is your passage," Strix explained. "But the true entrance lies beneath."

With a wave of his hand, the ground shifted, revealing a hidden passage that led to an amazing underground forest. The air was filled with the scent of exotic flowers, and beautiful colors painted the surroundings. Unfamiliar creatures roamed freelyas there was no conflict there.

Emi's team was left speechless by the breathtaking beauty surrounding them. Strix turned to them and said. "Welcome to the leader's sanctuary."

As they went further down into the underground forest, Strix began to uncover a harsh reality.Emi, "You need to understand, that there are 14 more Cuchillos even stronger than Ryuga."

Their expressions grew more serious as they felt the gravity of their situation. Strix continued, "If you all hope to survive then your survival will depend on you becoming stronger than all the Cuchillos combined. This is especially true for you, Emi, since you are the current holder of the chronoportation watch and with your Chronoportation abilities acheiveing greater heights should not be a difficult task."

Emi nodded in understanding as she felt the weight of her responsibilities intensifying.

Strix revealed that Emi's Chronoportation Watch would be fully repaired in about three months, with a focus on one-on-one combat training during that time. He mentioned that he had been sent by his leader specifically to train Emi, indicating her importance in the upcoming battles.

Training was extremely tiring, and the wounds from their encounter with Ryuga still resonated. To their dissapointment, news reached them that Ryuga, the 15th Cuchillo, had reappeared, fully healed and infuriated. He went on a rampage, destroying buildings and causing casualties, all in pursuit of his grudge against Emi but Strix told emi and rei that they were not ready yet to face Ryuga so they ignored Ryuga's rampage.

With each day of training, Emi's stamina improved. Strix pushed her to the limit, determined to make her stronger. However, Ryuga's rampage haunted over their progress as they found out that in his unchecked fury, he killed 55 people and injured 78 more. Four towering buildings, reaching heights of up to 200 meters, crumbled under his devastating power.

Emi and her comrades knew that the consequences of their battles with the Cuchillos were extremely important. Innocent lives hung in the balance, and they carried the weights of these deaths heavily.

Finally, after three long months, Emi's Chronoportation Watch was fully repaired. But as she put it on, a hologram appeared, revealing itself as the spirit within the watch. It explained the watch's new limitations, including the need to balance the time spent in the past with time in their original timeline. Furthermore, it could only be used once every two weeks. In exchange for these limitations, it could temporarily boost Emi's speed, although at the cost of increased tiredness.

With newfound insights into her abilities, Emi and her team prepared to face Ryuga, who was altering the past with serious consequences. But when Emi asked about Strix's true identity and that of his leader, he merely revealed that they were the rulers of Ravenwood, leaving their true motives covered in mystery.

Strix sent Emi and Rei, the ninja, to confront Ryuga, who had appeared once again but this time it was as if Ryuga knew they were coming. This time, Emi and Rei aimed to lure him far from civilization to prevent further alterations to the timeline.

The battle with Ryuga began , each strike and movement moving with tremendous power. Emi's newfound speed and Rei's exceptional strength pushed Ryuga to his limits. However, Emi was unable to continue as she was worn out and with rei left to fight alone he did not stand a chance of winning but fought hard until the fight ended in with him exhausted and Ryuga pushed to his limits, their clash ended in a draw, with less desrtuction caused this time, and as Ryuga wnet for the final blow to kill Rei he was suddenly struck by lightning 𝖆𝖌𝖆𝖎𝖓!!! leaving him unconcoius.

Strix confirmed that Ryuga would awaken in four days. During that time, Emi and her friends had a crucial mission: to return to their timeline and prevent further changes to the past. However, they faced a difficult choice regarding Kenzo, who remained unconscious and in a fragile state inside a box. Removing him could result n his death, and the risks weighed heavily on their minds as they prepared to journey back to their timeline.

[To be continued...]