4 hours later At the Auction
The dim hallway reeked of mold and metal. The only light came from flickering lamps mounted crookedly along the stone walls. Two men pushed a rusted cage slowly down the corridor, the wheels creaking with every step. Inside, the prisoners sat in silence, their eyes heavy with fear and resignation.
At the end of the hallway, the path opened into the back of a stage—cloaked by heavy curtains and loud with murmurs of wealthy voices beyond.
One by one, the prisoners were dragged out and chained. Iron clasps were locked around their wrists and ankles, ensuring no escape once they were on display.
All of them submitted quietly.
All except one.
"Alright, your turn, blue-haired feisty girl," one of the men said, grinning as he opened the cage door.
He grabbed Misa roughly by the arm, yanking her forward. Her wrists were already bound, but as he crouched down to chain her ankles, she made her move.
CRACK!
Her knee shot upward—slamming into his nose.
"Gah—!" he staggered back, clutching his face. Blood spilled between his fingers.
"Damn it… you stupid girl!" he snarled. "Come here—!"
He lunged, trying to grab her arm again.
Misa jumped up, spun, and delivered a clean kick to his chest, knocking him back further.
"Hey!" the man shouted, wheezing. "Guys! This stupid brat wants to resist!"
He pulled himself up, glaring through teary eyes.
"Let's calm her down."
The six men rushed at her like wild animals.
One lunged forward, fist flying. Misa twisted to the side, dodging the punch with ease. She swept his legs in one fluid motion, then spun into a brutal kick that sent him crashing into the wall.
Another came at her with a high kick. She backflipped, narrowly avoiding it. As he charged again, Misa surged forward and slammed her knee into his chest. He hit the ground, groaning.
Two more men screamed as they charged in.
The first threw a wild punch—but Misa leapt onto his arm and used it as a springboard, twisting midair and kicking him clean across the face. Before her feet touched the ground, she pounced on the second man, bit down hard on his arm, and drove her fist between his legs.
He collapsed, howling.
The final two men drew knives.
One slashed—Misa ducked, the blade missing her by inches. She spun low and kicked the weapon from his grip, then followed with a sharp kick to his throat. The knife clattered to the ground… but not for long.
Misa caught it mid-fall.
Without hesitating, she dashed forward and slit the last man's throat, his eyes wide with shock as he fell.
Misa crept through the shadows, chains clinking softly against her wrists. Her heart pounded. Just a little further—just one more door and she'd be free.
She pushed it open—
"Hmm? I think you're lost, sweetie," a voice purred.
A man stepped into view from the shadows and placed a hand on her shoulder.
The moment he touched her, Misa's legs weakened. Her vision blurred.
"…What is this? I… I'm starting to feel… sleepy…" she murmured. Her knees buckled. "It… was you… you're the one who kidnapped me…"
With a thud, Misa collapsed to the ground.
Nearby, one of the men scrambled to his feet. "Mr. Hawk! I'm very sorry!"
A tall man stepped into the light. Slick black hair, wine glass in hand, and cold, narrowed eyes.
Hawk.
"Don't be," he said coolly. "You weak fool. Can't even handle one girl in chains. Pathetic."
He glanced at the unconscious Misa, then at his golden watch.
"The auction begins in thirty minutes."
All the guards bowed and apologized in unison.
Hawk let out a sigh, waved them off, and walked out of the room.
The Auction Floor
Golden chandeliers lit the wide, luxurious hall. A bar shimmered along the back, and laughter echoed across gambling tables. The wealthiest of nobles, criminals, and collectors mingled with wine in hand and twisted anticipation in their hearts.
Vel Draven stood tall, sipping his drink.
Aboard the Plane
Bzzzt. The intercom crackled.
"Pilot speaking. You'll be arriving at your destination in one minute."
Ryju stood from his seat, tightening his gloves. "Finally."
Azar smirked. "It's time."
Zanden cracked his knuckles. "We're ready."
Taro nodded. "Time to save Misa."
Kenshiro's eyes sharpened. "Let's complete this mission."
Kaien said nothing—only shook his head, serious and focused.
Shun grinned. "Time to shine."
Goro's fist lit with a flicker of heat. "I know. I'm pumped!"
Rei whispered, "Misa… we're here."
Jett leaned back with his guns in hand. "Locked and loaded."
The intercom buzzed again.
"Due to security cameras around the auction grounds, I'll be dropping you a few miles out. When the action begins, I'll stay in the air. Oh, and one more thing…"
The back of the plane creaked open.
"…You're all jumping."
"WHAT?!" they all shouted.
At the Spiritual King's Office
The Spiritual King stood at the window, arms folded.
"They should be arriving now."
Gio blinked. "Really?"
"Thirty minutes before the auction begins."
Okata smiled. "They've got this."
Kaji grinned with fire in his eyes. "Azar… you better kick ass."
Back at the Auction
Clink. Clink. Hawk tapped his spoon against his wine glass.
"I have an announcement," he said coolly. "The leader is coming out."
Vel Draven stepped Infront of the crowd, his presence commanding.
"Hello, fine people," he said, raising a hand. "Thank you for attending tonight's auction. We offer the finest merchandise in the world. I hope you all enjoy yourselves."
A round of applause thundered through the room. Cheers, laughter, and music filled the air.
Back in the Sky
Ryju stood at the edge of the ramp. "We have to jump."
Azar smirked. "If we have to, we have to."
The pilot's voice boomed again. "Jump now. This is the destination."
Azar was the first to leap, flames bursting from his feet as he dove through the sky.
"Vel Draven… I'm coming," he growled.
Rei front-flipped out next, wind rushing past her.
"Misa, we're on our way!"
Taro stepped up. "Guess it's time."
Goro cracked his neck. "Let's go, bro."
Together, the brothers dove.
"Misa! We're coming!" Taro shouted.
"What he said!" Goro echoed.
Kaien dove wordlessly, eyes narrowed.
Jett jumped after him, spinning through the air with guns drawn. "Oh, Misa—we're coming for you!"
Shun followed with a backflip. "It's time—and we're here, baby!"
Zanden nodded once, then leapt. "Misa… hang on tight."
Kenshiro turned to Ryju at the open ramp. "You ready?"
Ryju nodded. "You bet."
"See you down there."
Kenshiro stepped off the edge and vanished into a swirling black hole, reappearing safely at ground level.
Now only Ryju remained.
He stepped toward the open hatch. The wind howled around him, roaring like a beast. He looked down at the darkened land far below—his target, his mission… his purpose.
Then he turned his back to the open sky and let himself fall.
The air whipped past him violently.
Suddenly—his hat flew off, caught by the gust.
Ryju's eyes snapped open.
With a swift motion, he twisted in midair, snatched the hat from the air, and pressed it firmly against his chest.
For a moment, he closed his eyes.
"…We're here," he whispered.
Azar hit the ground first—flames bursting from his feet, slowing his descent. His boots touched down hard, smoke swirling around him as the ground scorched beneath him.
Rei followed, both hands glowing with spiritual energy. Two rusty arms formed behind her, gently pressing against the air to slow her fall. She landed gracefully, bending her knees as she absorbed the impact.
Taro soared through the air with his falcon wings extended, gliding in a wide arc before landing beside his brother. His wings faded into light.
Goro dropped like a meteor. Just before hitting the ground, he released a blast of heat from his feet, burning the air and cushioning his fall. He landed with a skid, smoke rising from his boots.
Kaien reached out mid-fall and tossed a glowing chain to the ground. The moment it struck, he disappeared—and reappeared instantly at its anchor point, landing silently in a crouch.
Jett was falling fast, two pistols in hand, but slightly off balance—
"Gotcha!" Rei extended one of her spiritual arms and caught his wrist, pulling him into a controlled spin.
"Thanks, Rei!" Jett said, panting.
"No problem…" Rei replied, cheeks suddenly red.
Shun descended with a wide grin, summoning wooden platforms beneath his feet in midair. Each platform broke his fall as he stepped down like a staircase made of trees, landing with a flip.
Zanden followed, lifting one hand. A giant sand structure rose from the earth beneath him, forming into a ramp that slowed his landing until he stepped off with a smirk.
Kenshiro opened a swirling black hole in the air beneath him and vanished—only to reappear through a second one at ground level, stepping out with calm precision.
And finally—Ryju.
Still falling, he flipped in midair, eyes focused. He pulled his hat down low and surrounded his fist with red roaring Spiritual Force.
As he landed—
BOOM!
His punch collided with the earth, shaking the ground and kicking up a massive cloud of smoke and debris.
When the dust cleared, Ryju stood at the center of a shallow crater, his fist still embedded in the cracked earth.
Around him, his allies stood tall—battle-ready, silent, and burning with resolve.
At the Auction
The guests continued to drink, laugh, and gamble under the golden lights.
Vel Draven sipped his wine with a faint smile… but then he paused.
His eyes narrowed.
"I don't know why," he muttered. "But something doesn't feel right…"
To Be Continued.