Part 1: Training
After the defeat of Smokewraith, everything changed for Hikaru.
He still went to university, attended classes, and spent time with his friends.
But now–
He had a secret.
The Order of the Elements.
The Element of Light.
Every day, after class, he made his way to the safehouse, helping Satoshi and Reina search for the other nine Elemental Warriors.
And Teshii?
Teshii had become his mentor.
Their relationship was... unique.
A mix of brutal training, constant bickering, and occasional moments of wisdom.
Hikaru had improved.
He was now in control of the Element of Light.
But–
There was one question that had been on his mind since the fight with Smokewraith.
And today–
He was going to ask it.
Training Session
WHAM!
Hikaru barely dodged Teshii's punch, rolling to the side as the attack crashed into the ground where he had just stood.
A small dent was left in the training mat.
Hikaru scowled. "You're ridiculous."
Teshii smirked, shaking out his hands. "And you're too slow."
Sweat dripped down Hikaru's forehead.
He exhaled sharply, focusing.
His hands began to glow.
A golden energy flickered around his fists.
"YES!" Teshii grinned, stepping back. "COME AT ME!"
Hikaru thrust his palm forward.
"RADIANT BLAST!"
A powerful golden energy burst from his hand–
But–
Teshii dodged effortless.
Before Hikaru could react–
Teshii was behind him.
"Too slow, Sunshine."
POW!
BAM!
WHACK!
Hikaru crashed to the ground, groaning. "Ow."
Teshii laughed. "Man, I could do this all day."
A Question on His Mind
After the training session, Hikaru slumped onto the floor, exhausted.
Meanwhile–
Teshii?
Completely fine.
As if he hadn't just spent the last hour dodging and beating Hikaru into the mat.
Hikaru glared at him. "Do you ever run out of energy?"
Teshii grinned. "Nope. Unlimited gas."
Hikaru sighed, leaning against the wall.
His mind drifted back to their fight against Smokewraith.
Something had been bugging him.
He hesitated, then–
"...Hey, Teshii."
Teshii turned to him. "What's up?"
Hikaru sat up. "That fight against Smokewraith... you said he was a mutant."
Teshii nodded. "Yeah, I did."
Hikaru paused. "What... exactly are mutants?"
The Truth About Mutants
Teshii closed his eyes.
Then – he leaned against the wall, crossing his arms.
"Mutants are people with special abilities."
Hikaru listened carefully.
"It's a genetic thing," Teshii continued. "Most of them are born with it. Their DNA is different from normal humans, which is why they can do things like control smoke, enhance their strength, or do other crazy stuff."
Hikaru thought back to Smokewraith. "So... Smokewraith was a mutant who could smoke."
"Yep."
Hikaru hesitated. "Then… does that mean I'm a mutant too?"
Teshii opened one eye. "Huh?"
Hikaru looked at his own hands. "I can control light. So, doesn't that mean I'm a mutant too?"
Teshii shook his head immediately. "Nope."
Hikaru raised an eyebrow. "Why not?"
Teshii grinned. "Because you're an Element, not a mutant."
Hikaru frowned. "What's the difference?"
Teshii uncrossed his arms.
"Mutants are genetically born with their powers."
"Elements are chosen."
Hikaru froze.
"There are only ten Elements in the world."
Teshii's voice was serious now.
"And you? You're one of them."
The Weight of Destiny
Hikaru stared at the floor.
Only ten.
And he was one of them.
"Elements have existed for centuries," Teshii explained. "Unlike mutants, who are just lucky – or unlucky, depending on how you look at it – Elemental Warriors are destined for something greater."
Hikaru felt a strange weight settle over him.
"So… what does that mean for me?"
Teshii smirked. "It means you better start living up to that destiny, Sunsihne."
Hikaru sighed. "Great. No pressure or anything."
Teshii chuckled. "Exactly."
Then–
Teshii's expression changed.
The usual cocky smirk disappeared.
For the first time…
Teshii looked serious.
"Sunshine."
Hikaru turned toward him. "Yeah?"
Teshii met his eyes.
"Promise me something."
Hikaru raised an eyebrow. "What?"
Teshii took a breath.
"Don't assume every mutant is evil."
Hikaru blinked.
Teshii's tone was firm. "Some of them never even wanted to be born as mutants."
Hikaru stared at him.
Then–
Slowly, he nodded. "Okay."
For a moment, there was silence.
Then–
"TESHII! HIKARU!"
They both turned.
Satoshi was standing in the doorway.
Part 2: Another Element Found?
"What's wrong, bossman?" Teshii asked.
Satoshi sighed. "First, don't call me that."
"Okay, bossman."
Satoshi exhaled sharply, deciding to ignore him.
Then – his expression hardened.
"Me and Reina might have found another Element."
Teshii and Hikari's eyes widened.
"Which one?" Hikaru asked.
Satoshi crossed his arms. "We don't know for sure. But… we may have found their location."
On the Way to the Meeting Room
Hikaru and Teshii followed Satoshi down the hall.
Hikaru's hands clenched into fists.
He felt… uneasy.
Teshii noticed.
"What's wrong, Sunshine?"
Hikaru hesitated. "I don't know."
Teshii grinned. "If this is about your 'destiny' as the Element of Light, don't overthink it."
Hikaru gave him a small nod. "Alright."
But deep down…
It wasn't about his destiny.
It was about meeting another Element.
Were they friend?
Or foe?
The Meeting Room
Inside, Reina was already waiting.
She wasted no time.
She handed them a tablet.
An image appeared on the screen.
A festival in Tokyo.
The crowd was cheering.
And on stage–
A performer.
But… something was off.
Water moved unnaturally around them, twisting and shaping as if responding to their will.
"This was from last year," Reina explained. "We believe this person might be the Element of Water."
Teshii whistled. "The Element of Water, huh? Interesting."
Satoshi nodded. "There's another festival next week."
Hikaru leaned forward. "You think they'll show up again?"
"Possibly." Reina folded her arms. "We're not sure, but it's worth investigating."
Teshii grinned, clapping his hands. "Looks like me and Hikaru gets to deal with a performer!"
Hikaru glanced back at the screen.
The Element of Water.
Will they join us…
Or stand against us?
Meanwhile in an Alleyway
A group of delinquents laughed as they loitered in a dark alley.
They smoked, drank, and cursed loudly, shoving each other playfully.
Then–
A woman stepped into the alley.
She was dressed in red.
Red hair.
Red eyes.
Red lipstick.
Red clothes.
One of the delinquents grinned, stepping toward her.
"Well, well. Look who we have here."
The others turned toward her.
"You lost, miss?"
The woman said nothing.
The delinquent placed his hand on her waist.
"Why don't we have some fun?"
Then–
Screams.
"AAAAAHHHHHHHH!"
The alley was painted red.
The delinquents lay dead.
The woman stood among the corpses.
Bathed in their blood.
She smiled.
"Hope the leader is happy with these humas dead," she whispered to herself.
TO BE CONTINUE!!!