Act Four: The Converging Paths

Shiori’s Diary

Shingo, my brother was still alive, it was all that mattered.

I immediately tried to reach out to him by telepathy, only in vain. Nothing worked. I couldn’t channel my spiritual and mental energy and broadcast it.

Strangely, I could still use most of my magical powers. Somebody must’ve blocked my telepathy, deliberately.

But, why did he do that? Did he know something about Shingo? If Hannya or the lab people did that, the best way for me was to confront Hannya and ask him directly. Bleed the truth out from him, if necessary.

But, wait. From the way he abducted Daigo Katoh, I didn’t think I, Keiji, and Nishi were a match for him now.

One thing was clear. I needed more help to overcome Hannya. A very powerful help.

The Hikari International Hotel and Casino in Daitoshi Downtown was a sight to behold. Its towering structure loomed over the city, casting a glow that seemed to beckon to the nighttime crowd.

Shiori, Nishi, and Keiji came out from their car, their fantastical costumes from the Arcane Age in Everna made them blend in with the colorful array of cosplayers that filled the space.

As they approached the magnificent building, the distant sound of music grew louder, and they could hear the sweet voice of the Shimanese international diva, Reika Diose.

Nishi’s eyes lit up with awe. “Reika Diose is having a concert here! This is gonna be amazing!”

Shiori agreed, but Keiji’s grim expression reminded them of the task at hand. “According to our informant, there’s a bomb planted in this place, and it’s going to go off soon.”

Shiori’s heart pounded at the thought of the chaos that would ensue if the bomb detonated in such a crowded place.

“We have to stop the concert and find that bomb,” she said.

Nishi nodded, but Keiji had one more troubling piece of information.

“Remember our briefing. Rumor has it that Reika Diose is involved with the Yakuza champion, Hayato Mori. We might have to force her to tell us where the bomb is planted.”

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As they entered the building and walked along the lobby, the three of them noticed a group of cosplayers lingering along the hotel corridors. They were dressed in elaborate costumes, but something about their demeanor made Shiori’s instincts kick in.

“Be careful,” she whispered to her companions. “Those cosplayers might be Yakuza gangsters in disguise.”

Shiori’s heart raced as she darted through the hotel corridors on the ground floor, her katana at the ready. She could hear the footsteps closing in on them.

Keiji shouted, “Here come the gangsters! On guard, agents!”

The gangsters disguised as cosplayers were closing in fast, but Shiori was ready. She swung her katana, sending a shower of sparks flying as it clashed with one of the gangster’s swords.

She stepped back, her eyes locked onto her opponent. He was dressed in a bright white-and-red armor cosplay outfit of an Everna Saga movie hero, but Shiori could tell he was no mere fan.

Keiji and Nishi were holding their own, but there were too many gangsters. Shiori could hear the sounds of battle echoing down the halls. She gritted her teeth, her mind racing as she tried to come up with a plan.

“Shiori, we’re outnumbered!” Keiji shouted, parrying a strike from one of the gangsters.

Shiori glanced at Nishi, who nodded in agreement. “We need to draw them out into the open,” she said. “Lead them into the lobby.”

Keiji and Nishi nodded, and together they began to fall back towards the hotel lobby. The gangsters pursued them, their swords flashing in the light.

As they emerged into the lobby, Shiori’s eyes scanned the area for potential weapons. She spotted a nearby vase, and with a quick motion, she smashed it against the wall, sending shards of pottery flying toward the gangsters.

The distraction worked, and Keiji and Nishi launched a coordinated attack, striking at the gangsters from both sides. Shiori moved in, her katana slashing through the air as she took out one gangster after another.

The fight was intense, but they were winning. Shiori’s heart was pounding, her senses on high alert as she fought for her life. She could hear the sound of metal striking metal, and the grunts of her companions as they battled on.

Finally, the last of the gangsters fell to the ground, defeated. Shiori and her companions stood panting, their weapons at the ready. The hotel lobby was now littered with broken pottery and the bodies of their fallen foes.

“We did it,” Nishi said, his voice filled with relief.

Shiori nodded, feeling a sense of pride wash over her. They had faced down their enemies and emerged victorious. But she knew that there would be more battles to come and that they would have to be ready.