The Cursed Iris

Sprout 67: The End of Shangri-La

In this vast world there's multiple different types of magic from spirit energy to chi each one more amazing than the last. One country in particular is considered the specialty amongst them though, Shangri-La. Born from the blood of the Phoenix, the country goes through multiple deaths and rebirths with the Festival of Ashen Feathers. Although this year may be the last time this country experiences that cycle. That is unless the tyrant Neikan can be defeated.

Katsumi and Arthur made almost no progress against Neikan. Susanoo and Tsukuyomi were both silent, so neither of them could access the power of their gods. Katsumi wanted to use the Storm Surge mode but it drained his energy too fast.

"Damn it, it feels like he's just toying around with us..." Arthur scoffed in frustration.

Neikan hadn't used the gear he had stolen from Arthur's master. He was way out of their leagues, "Give it up fools-chi," he chuckled.

"Chi this, chi that. You talk too damn much." Arthur groaned.

"Susanoo, why the hell are you so silent?" Katsumi asked. He and Arthur both attacked Neikan again, "Fire Demon Griping Fang!" he yelled as his attack missed and he struck Arthur instead, knocking him away.

"You idiot!" Arthur yelled.

"Maybe you were getting in my way!" Katsumi yelled.

"You're the idiot that keeps on missing with his attacks!" Arthur responded.

Neikan grew annoyed with them, and he summoned multiple talisman, "Watch out," they both yelled at each other dodging his attack. They gathered themselves, then attacked him yet again.

Katsumi's Argonaut skill wouldn't activate because without Susanoo he couldn't do anything. Susanoo was his god half, but he was a pretty useless god half. He wondered did Arthur feel like this too with Tsukuyomi.

Neikan caught their attacks with ease, "Come now-chi," he smiled, "why aren't you using that full power of yours?"

He threw them, and they crashed into the ground. "You have such little time left before Shangri-La is no more-chi."

Katsumi scoffed in frustration. "We can't win, not like this."

"Hate to say it, but you're right. Susanoo and Tsukuyomi seem to be silent and not only that but it seems like he's not even trying at this point." Arthur regrettably agreed.

Katsumi knew of one way, but he didn't want to take that chance. Last time he let that part of him take over he had attacked and severely hurt Ayame. He couldn't do that again, "Damn it! Come on Susanoo, I thought I would still be able to use Storm Surge," he grumbled.

Stop it with your whining! Susanoo yelled at him.

"Finally!" Katsumi and Arthur yelled at their respective deities.

Neikan began to chuckle, not only that he turned his back to Katsumi and Arthur to face the orb, "It's beautiful that the end of this cursed country is almost near-chi. Those foolish citizens never even knew that they were all just pawns in a game-chi," he stated in victory.

Katsumi and Arthur stared at him felt their weakness shown against him. Everything they had done up to now was useless, he countered everything they had thrown at him.

My fate is yours and your fate is mine, Katsumi remembered his conversation with Ayame, then he thought about what she'd say to him for giving up so easily. He smiled as he raised his hands from the ground, then hit the ground with a loud slap. The slap resonated and his Strom Surge form activated; then in the next instant he attacked Neikan with a powerful multicolored flame punch to the face.