Sword Conquest 3 - Fight for the Future

Chapter Four: [The Boy's Vanishment, Ancients set Abalze]

From the forest emerged Matsuri, finding herself in the city of Black Noise. A dark but hopeful city, filled with rooftops and skyscrapers, bringing the world not despair but enlightenment in their spirits. Children ecstatic over the city's dawn, the sunlight shined over the buildings revealing the virtuous life that hid in the shadows. Walking down the street, she checked her phone. Both Hiori and Kasai were in her contacts, though, Matsuri was hesitant. Unsure of how to communicate with them, with the visions haunting her and the Monarchy rising. The life of Black Noise did not aid her, a sudden spark of energy released from her fingertips. Her finger moved on its own on the screen, she did not resist. This was but a wake-up call from Lobos himself, her eyes flashed. Perceiving two paths leading to either confession or illumination.

"Kasai..." She whispered, tapping on the call button. His phone rang near the gateway to the school. He reached into his pocket, carelessly dropping everything he had inside to the pavement. As his phone fell, he noticed Matsuri's number on it. He kneeled down and quickly picked it up and answered it.

"H-hello? Matsuri?" Stuttering on the line, Matsuri cleared her throat to speak.

"Kasai. I have something to ask..." She said, Kasai, stood up. Puzzled by this new attitude portrayed by her. "What does your dad know about the souls?" She asked.

"The souls? As in the swords by the 6th soul? I mean. I know that they were created to flourish the world. Why?" Perplexed by Matsuri's question, it was silent for the moment. She broke it by revealing her secret.

"Kasai, I think. I can see into the future..." She muttered.

"What?! Wait, are you trying to say that you can actually see what's going to happen like, today? Or right now?" Such questions bewildered her, Matsuri broke down his fleet of queries.

"No-no, I mean. It's just these random visions that I keep seeing. This has never happened before either. This just started about yesterday when you guys found me laid out. Kasai...I worry that something may happen to you guys..." Said Matsuri.

"Matsuri, so that's what's been going on. That guy said something about seeing what lies ahead. Are you going to be okay?" He asked.

"I hope so...Kasai, whatever happens. I will protect you guys." The same aura from before that had discharged itself from his finger, glowed beyond her eyes. "Even if it kills me." Stated Matsuri. She hung up the phone, looking above she saw the city's clock hit 8:00. Within a flash, she transitioned herself down the street to reach school grounds.

"The future, huh." Muttered Kasai, he sensed a slimmer of energy around here which forced him to keep his guard up. Black tendrils protruded from the ground and enveloped Kasai in its imprisonment.

"Believe me when I say it, I don't believe in 'futures'. There is only now and then." Kasai gripped onto the tendrils, try as he might, they wouldn't budge. A black-cloaked figure leaped out from the shadows, standing before Kasai. He lifted his finger, black and blue streams of energy poured out and attached itself onto the barrier. "Now, begone." He said, the tendrils binded Kasai tightly by crushing him in its clutches. A portal beneath him appeared and the tendrils forced him down. Two envoys appeared behind the cloaked individual kneeling at his presence.

"Sir, Nihlas. The heads have decided to ambush this vicinity." Said one of the envoys. Nihlas walked past the two, manifesting a long katana in his palm.