Yoshi and his companions embarked on an arduous journey to the ruined Iriomote Island, a trek that should have spanned fifty-four days. Yet, with sheer determination and an unyielding pace, they cut it short to forty-five days, traveling without pause. Most of their comrades were utterly drained upon arrival, but Lyra’s restorative magic swiftly revitalized them, returning them to full strength.
Yoshi, Lyra, and Joseph, however, showed no signs of exhaustion, their stamina seemingly inexhaustible. As they set foot on Iriomote Island, the scene before them was one of utter chaos—ruins scattered across the landscape, a stark reminder of the destruction wrought upon the land. Their arrival did not go unnoticed. Scouts quickly escorted them to the council chamber, where they were to meet the Lady of the Isle.
Yoko Yuna, the recently ordained Lady of the Isle, awaited them. A figure of striking authority, she carried herself with the confidence of a seasoned warrior. Despite her youthful appearance, her dwarf heritage and years of combat experience made her a formidable protector, reputedly capable of fending off solar system-level threats. Many revered her as the island’s unwavering guardian, a beacon of hope for her people in their darkest times.
But Yoko Yuna was far more than she seemed.
Once a Knight Huntress of considerable renown and ranked AB (Tier 6), she had defended the island valiantly alongside the former Lady of the Isle. In her final moments, the former Lady had allegedly entrusted Yoko to succeed her, naming her the island’s protector and leader. At least, that was the story Yoko told. The truth was far darker.
Yoko Yuna was an agent of chaos. Bound in allegiance to Ryujin, the malevolent force seeking to conquer the world, she had orchestrated the very attack that devastated Iriomote Island. It was she who struck down the former Lady of the Isle in a bitter duel, weaving lies of a dying wish to mask her betrayal. Her grip on power was secured through deception, her enemies within the council silenced before they could expose her. To the people of Iriomote, she was a hero. In reality, she was their greatest threat.
Yoshi and his companions, unaware of the depth of her treachery, stood before her in the council chamber. Yoko’s expression was grave as she addressed them, her voice steady, though a flicker of smugness lurked beneath her words.
“You’re too late,” she declared, her tone carrying the weight of supposed authority. “Ryujin and his forces have already taken the Relic of Creation. The island’s greatest treasure is now in their hands.”
Her words hung in the air like a stormcloud, heavy and ominous. Yoshi’s sharp eyes flicked to Lyra and Joseph, his companions exchanging brief but meaningful glances. They could feel the undercurrent of deceit in Yoko’s words, though they had yet to uncover the full scope of her betrayal.
As Yoko spoke, her confidence never wavered. She was the island’s hero, the chosen leader, the defender of her people. Yet behind that mask of valor lay the dark truth—one that Yoshi and his companions would soon seek to expose.
“Their next move is on the Treasure of Destruction,” Yoko declared, her voice calm but laced with urgency. “We fought against his minions, but they overwhelmed us. When he got what he wanted, he spared us—to ensure we would live to tell the tale.”
As the group absorbed her words, the atmosphere grew tense. Before the discussion could conclude, a burst of light illuminated the chamber. A portal materialized, unleashing a horde of monstrous beings and supernatural creatures. Yoshi wasted no time, unsheathing his blade and releasing a devastating blast of energy. In a brilliant flash, the first wave was obliterated, leaving behind a scorched, empty space.
But the respite was brief. More portals appeared, spilling forth even greater hordes. Civilians screamed and scrambled to safety as chaos erupted across the island. The group rallied, weapons drawn and magic at the ready. Yoko stepped forward, channeling her immense power to combat the relentless tide of invaders. Her strikes were precise and devastating, but the portals kept multiplying, and the creatures kept coming.
“Go,” Yoko shouted to Yoshi and his companions. “Protect Yakushima Island! Ryujin and his forces are likely there, closing in on the Treasure of Destruction.” She raised her hand, conjuring a shimmering portal leading directly to Yakushima.
Yoshi hesitated, his grip tightening on his sword. “What about you?”
“I’ll handle things here,” Yoko said confidently. “The island needs me.”
Joseph stepped forward, his expression resolute. “I’ll stay. I’ll fight alongside you.”
Yoko turned to him, momentarily surprised. “Are you sure?”
Joseph nodded. “You’ll need all the help you can get.”
Yoshi and Lyra exchanged a meaningful glance with Joseph, a silent acknowledgment of his decision. Without another word, they stepped through the portal, vanishing in a burst of light.
As the portal closed, Yoko smiled faintly. “You’re brave, Joseph. Foolishly so.”
“I’m here to fight,” Joseph said firmly, unaware of the trap he had willingly walked into. Together, they charged into the fray, but Joseph would soon discover Yoko’s treacherous nature.
***
On Yakushima Island, Yoshi and Lyra materialized amidst an eerie calm. The tranquil scene belied the urgency of their mission. No signs of danger, no traces of destruction—just an unnatural peace.
“This doesn’t feel right,” Lyra murmured, her instincts tingling.
As they ventured further, the illusion shattered. Reality twisted around them, revealing the island’s true state—a wasteland of destruction. The ground was littered with lifeless bodies of humans, animals, and demi-humans alike. The ocean had nearly engulfed the land, and the stench of death hung heavy in the air.
Before they could process the devastation, a voice echoed through the ruins. “Welcome, Yoshi. Lyra.”
From the flames and rubble emerged Yoko Yuna, her eyes glowing with power and hatred. In her hands, she held the fused Relic of Creation and Treasure of Destruction, now a single, glowing coin. One half shone with the silver radiance of the moon, the other with the golden brilliance of the sun. The air around her pulsed with raw, unbridled energy.
“You’re just in time to witness true power,” Yoko said, a malicious smile curling her lips. “Are you unimpressed by my deeds?”
Her words barely registered before she unleashed a devastating blast of energy. Yoshi and Lyra prepared to counter, but before they could act, a familiar voice rang out.
“Full counter!”
Joseph appeared in a flash, intercepting the attack and reflecting it back with amplified force. The energy slammed toward Yoko, but she effortlessly dissipated it with a wave of her hand, her power unmatched.
Yoko’s gaze narrowed as she regarded Joseph. “Impressive,” she said mockingly. “I thought I left you to die. How did you survive?”
Joseph’s mind flashed back to that fateful battle. He had defeated Yoko’s clone after an intense struggle, landing a lethal punch that shattered her hyoid bone and likely collapsed her trachea. The clone had crumpled lifelessly to the ground, and Joseph had saved what remained of Iriomote Island, evacuating its survivors before speeding to Yakushima in his XPT-enhanced form.
Joseph stepped forward, his voice steady and filled with accusation. “Your lies end here, Yoko. I know the truth. You orchestrated the attack on Iriomote. The monsters, the chaos—it was all your doing, a ploy to earn our trust and divert us. You betrayed us all.”
Yoshi and Lyra’s eyes widened, their suspicions finally confirmed. Yoko laughed, a chilling sound that echoed across the ruins.
“You’re sharper than I thought,” she said, her tone dripping with disdain. “But it won’t save you. Now, face the power of creation and destruction combined!”
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Joseph glared at Yoko, his voice steady but laced with disdain. “So, I’m guessing this is the real you in the flesh—not the clone I fought and destroyed back on Iriomote Island?”
Yoko smirked, her eyes glowing with raw power. “Indeed, this is the real me,” she replied. “You did well to defeat my clone. That strike of yours was... impressive. Crushing its throat so precisely? I must admit, you surprised me.”
“That won’t happen again,” Yoko scoffed, her tone dripping with contempt. She raised her hand, and the air around her shimmered with malice. “Now that I’m here, you’ll see the difference between a pale imitation and the true Yoko Yuna.”
Yoko turned to Yoshi and Lyra, her grin widening. “While you wasted your time with my clone, I was here, dismantling everything Yakushima had to offer. I defeated Kaitlyn Shinoda, the so-called Knight Commander, a Tier 5 werewolf. She put up a valiant fight, but in the end, the Treasure of Destruction obliterated her beyond recovery. She was nothing but a stepping stone.”
Her words cut through the tension like a knife, and Yoshi’s grip on his sword tightened. “You let innocent people suffer just to toy with us?”
“Innocence is a fleeting concept,” Yoko retorted. “What matters is power—and now, I have it.” She held up the fused Treasure of Destruction and Relic of Creation, a glowing coin radiating an aura of duality. “This? This is absolute power. You’re too late to stop me.”
Yoko’s grin darkened as she continued. “Even if you kill me, the fused artifacts are under a timer spell. They’ll return to my lord Ryujin regardless of what you do. I stayed behind only to see how mighty you truly are. I’m not disappointed.”
“Ryujin’s gathering the other treasures and relics,” Yoko continued, her voice dripping with malice. “Soon, you’ll witness your own failure unfold. The end of your pathetic resistance is inevitable.”
***
Lyra, sensing the growing danger, teleported the remaining survivors of Yakushima to safety. “Go now!” she shouted, her voice ringing with urgency as the air thickened with Yoko’s malevolence.
Yoshi, Lyra, and Joseph charged at Yoko, their attacks coordinated and relentless. The battlefield erupted with blinding flashes of magic, raw power, and the clash of wills. Reality itself warped and distorted under the strain of their confrontation.
Yoko unleashed wave after wave of monsters and supernatural creatures, summoning them with ease using the fused artifacts. Despite their strength, Yoshi and Lyra struggled to keep up with her sheer power.
In the chaos, Yoko focused on Joseph, obliterating his XPT form in a devastating attack that left no trace of the suit. But Joseph, through sheer willpower, rematerialized, his determination undeterred. “I’m not done yet,” he growled, standing his ground.
Yoshi and Lyra combined their powers, launching a massive, coordinated strike against Yoko. Their magic and energy surged together, creating a dazzling explosion of light and force. But Yoko emerged unscathed, her aura pulsing with amplified energy. The fused power of the Treasure and Relic made her unstoppable.
“You cannot defeat me,” Yoko declared, her voice reverberating with triumph. “This is the might of creation and destruction unified. Kneel, or perish.”
Ryujin, the orchestrator of chaos, pressed forward in his unyielding pursuit of the remaining relics and treasures scattered across the uncharted regions yet to fall under his dominion. His next targets were the cities of Kochi and Nagano, each holding invaluable artifacts and ruled by formidable leaders.
Ryujin’s arrival in Kochi was as subtle as it was ominous. The city, under the rule of Kokoro Minamoto, was a thriving metropolis, its people none the wiser to the dark truth behind their leader. Kokoro had murdered her closest friend, Shizue Izawa, and assumed her identity, fooling the city into believing she was still alive. In her possession were the Relic of Time and the Relic of Enhancement, artifacts that gave her unparalleled power.
During a council meeting, Kokoro felt Ryujin’s uninvited presence and immediately adjourned the gathering. She retreated to her chambers, where the god-like figure revealed himself, his aura filling the space with an oppressive energy.
“I knew this day would come,” Kokoro said, her voice steady but laced with apprehension. “Though I expected it sooner.”
Ryujin’s gaze bore into her, cold and commanding. “Indeed, Kokoro. You have tasted true power only because I allowed it. I could have claimed the relics the same day you betrayed and killed Shizue. Your deceit fools your people, but it does not fool me.”
Kokoro smirked, masking her unease. “And if I refuse to hand them over?”
“Then you will die, as have all who stood against me,” Ryujin replied with chilling composure. “Your ambitions will crumble, your city reduced to ash. However, join me, and you will attain greater recognition and power—beyond your imagination.”
The weight of his words made Kokoro reconsider. She hesitated briefly, then handed over both relics, her pride suppressed by the sheer force of Ryujin’s presence.
As he vanished with the relics, his voice echoed in her mind: “Prepare yourself. When the signal comes, you will know your place in my grand design.”
Ryujin’s next destination was the city of Nagano, a fortified stronghold where the Treasure of Resurrection was guarded fiercely. The people had just repelled a monstrous assault, their walls barely holding after a brutal battle.
The second wave of monsters surged toward the city, but as they approached, an eerie silence fell. The beasts stopped in their tracks, and Ryujin emerged, his commanding presence parting the horde like a divine force.
Stepping forward, he addressed the defenders. “Hand over the Treasure of Resurrection, and I will spare your city further suffering.”
Lady Nagano, a proud and defiant leader, stepped forward. Her voice carried strength and resolve. “Surrender? To you? I’d rather die than see your cruel ambitions succeed. Leave now, or face the wrath of Nagano’s defenders!”
Ryujin’s expression remained unreadable. The warriors unleashed a torrent of arrows, their sheer number blotting out the sun. But before they could land, Ryujin’s eyes glowed faintly, and the arrows disintegrated mid-air.
With another subtle gesture, he turned the wills of the entire Nagano army against their leader. The warriors, now under his control, turned their weapons on the city’s defenders, awaiting his command to strike.
Lady Nagano’s defiance wavered as she saw her trusted forces succumb to Ryujin’s influence. Yet, she stood her ground. “Do what you will, but I will never surrender the treasure.”
Ryujin’s voice softened, almost mocking. “Your resolve is admirable but futile.” Using the Relic of Will, he compelled one of her most trusted warriors, Ririka, to step forward and present the Treasure of Resurrection to him.
Lady Nagano’s composure shattered as she watched the treasure handed over. Her will crumbled under the weight of betrayal, orchestrated by Ryujin’s sheer dominance.
With the treasure in hand, Ryujin vanished, leaving behind a chilling warning: “Prepare for what is to come. This is only the beginning.”
As the warriors regained their senses, chaos resumed. The monsters, now unchecked, renewed their assault on Nagano's walls. Lady Nagano, frozen in shock, could only watch as the city she had fought so hard to protect fell into disarray.
She knew then that Ryujin's ambitions threatened not only Nagano but the entire world. Something far more terrible was on the horizon, and she had no choice but to prepare for the inevitable reckoning.
Ryujin’s relentless pursuit of relics and treasures led him to two final locations, Iwakuni City and Aso Town. Each encounter revealed his cunning, his influence over others, and the depths of his ambition.
***
Time itself froze in Iwakuni, rendering its inhabitants motionless. However, the city lord’s wife remained unaffected. Within her resided a fragment of the demoness’ essence, a vestige of a once-powerful entity. This essence allowed her to see beyond Ryujin’s physical facade and discern his true Draconian form.
“You are like me,” she remarked, her voice carrying the weight of ancient knowledge. “Twice betrayed by those in power, both in the hierarchy of the divine and the physical world.”
Ryujin’s expression remained stoic.
“Do you truly believe your plan will succeed?” she asked, her tone both curious and skeptical.
“I do,” Ryujin replied, his voice cold and absolute.
“And what do I gain in return?”
“Vengeance and ascension,” he said, his words laced with malice.
The city lord’s wife considered this for a moment before nodding. She handed over the Relic of Death, its ominous aura dissipating as it transferred to Ryujin.
Before vanishing, Ryujin briefed her on his scheme, ensuring she was prepared for his signal when the time came.
***
Ryujin’s approach to Aso Town was twofold, utilizing his ability to duplicate himself to carry out two tasks simultaneously.
One version of Ryujin visited Wakana, a powerful individual imprisoned within the town. He offered Wakana a proposition: freedom and the fulfillment of his deepest wish in exchange for loyalty.
Wakana, weary of captivity and yearning for purpose, accepted without hesitation. Ryujin freed him, and together, they caused chaos within the town. Amid the turmoil, Ryujin acquired the Treasure of Manipulation and vanished, leaving behind destruction and fear.
Meanwhile, the second Ryujin approached the town’s master and council. He presented them with a choice: submission or annihilation. The council, confident in their defenses, refused his offer.
Unperturbed, Ryujin revealed that he had already secured the Treasure of Manipulation. The council’s skepticism was short-lived when a battered warrior burst into the chamber, reporting Wakana’s escape and the theft of the treasure.
Ryujin’s presence dissipated, leaving behind a chilling threat: “This is only the beginning. You will regret your defiance.”
With all relics and treasures in his possession, Ryujin’s grand plan was set into motion. However, in the midst of an intense battle between Yoko and her adversaries, the fused Relic of Creation and Treasure of Destruction inexplicably vanished from her grasp.
Yoko’s frustration was palpable, but she quickly regained her composure. Turning to Yoshi and his allies, she addressed them with disdain.
“It seems the plan has been accomplished,” Yoko said, her tone unwavering. “Either way, I don’t need the power of the relic or treasure to take you three down. The honor of reshaping this world belongs to my lord and master, Ryujin.”
Despite her confidence, Yoko was ultimately defeated by Yoshi, who erased her being and essence entirely. This display of power left Joseph stunned, as he had never seen Yoshi wield such destructive force.
With Yoko vanquished, Yoshi used his magic to repair the devastation wrought upon Yakushima Island. Lyra swiftly teleported the remaining survivors back to their island, where they expressed heartfelt gratitude for their safety and her unwavering resolve.
The trio—Yoshi, Joseph, and Lyra—along with their remaining comrades, teleported to the Fujimori Wisteria Forest Kingdom, prepared for the next chapter in their struggle against Ryujin and his growing dominion.