Joseph fired blasts from his suit, but Wakana effortlessly redirected them or twisted them into harmless forms. Joseph began to realize just how far his foe had pushed the limits of the Treasure of Manipulation—far more than he had expected. Wakana’s power seemed endless, and even Joseph’s suit, which he had crafted for maximum durability and offense, was being transformed in ways he never anticipated. At one point, he watched in disbelief as Wakana turned his once-metal suit into plastic, rendering it less effective.
But even in this new form, Joseph was still able to tap into the energy of XPT within the suit, drawing power from the transformation and shifting it back into its original state. It wasn’t ideal, but it worked.
Joseph duplicated himself into countless copies, launching surprise attacks from multiple angles. Wakana, however, countered each of them with ease, bending the very fabric of reality to his will, rendering each strike useless. As the battle raged on, the XPT within Joseph pulsed with a warning, its energy draining rapidly. It reminded him, in no uncertain terms, that its power was running low. If he didn’t end the fight soon, it would shift into recharge mode, leaving him unable to fully access the XPT dimension or any of its capabilities.
“Without enough energy, you won’t be able to access my dimension. Joseph, it’s best you end this quickly,” the calm voice of XPT reminded him through his internal comms. “I’ve located a flaw in Wakana that you can exploit. It’s time for your finishing move.”
Joseph took a deep breath, steeling himself for what was to come. “Alright, let’s do this,” he muttered to himself, steadying his resolve.
After narrowly dodging several more attacks from Wakana, Joseph presented himself in a strange, uncharacteristic surrender. His posture was open, his hands spread wide as if offering himself up to Wakana. It was a move that caught the villain off guard, and he paused, eyeing Joseph suspiciously.
“There’s no hope in winning against you,” Joseph said aloud, his voice calm but laced with sarcasm. “It’s best you finish me off. I’m running out of time and resources to put an end to this battle.”
He unmasked himself, revealing his face as he stood before Wakana, as if embracing defeat. The air was tense, and even Wakana seemed to hesitate, unsure of Joseph’s true intentions.
For a brief moment, the battlefield was silent—only the distant wind and the shifting of reality could be heard. Joseph’s eyes narrowed, and as the moment of vulnerability lingered, he prepared to strike at the very heart of Wakana’s flaw. The time for shenanigans was over
***
Wakana watched as Joseph fell to his knees, a smile creeping across his face. The sight of his enemy surrendering, seemingly defeated, was a moment of triumph for him. As Joseph knelt, Wakana descended gracefully, his power swirling around him, bending the fabric of reality and leaving destruction in his wake. The debris around them floated in midair, violently shifting into various forms as if responding to the treasure's immense energy.
"You are brave enough to accept the inevitability of your defeat," Wakana said, his voice cold with authority as he pointed the treasure at Joseph. It pulsed with ominous energy, preparing to finish him off. The energy from the treasure gathered, radiating with destructive force.
Just as Wakana released the torrent of power at Joseph, something unexpected happened. In that split second, Joseph’s XPT energy surged, taking charge. The surge of XPT intertwined with the violent burst of energy from Wakana’s treasure, creating an explosive mix of energy that altered the trajectory of the attack. The power from the treasure and XPT fused, and in one instant, XPT triggered a violent static burst that reverberated through the air. The force caused Wakana’s hand, the one holding the treasure, to explode in a violent eruption of energy.
Wakana screamed in agony as his hand was blown apart, the remnants of it suspended midair along with his shattered remains. Blood floated around him as he was forced to release his grip on the treasure, his assault on Joseph halted as the energy faded into the ether. The treasure now hovered ominously in the air, its power still radiating, yet untethered to its previous wielder.
Wakana, gritting his teeth in pain, stared at Joseph, his hatred intensifying. The realization that he had lost control of the treasure and his own body sent waves of fury through him. His hand was severed, and the blood dripped slowly, defying gravity as it hung suspended in the air. His anger and frustration boiled over as he locked eyes with Joseph, who rose to his feet with a grin.
Joseph stretched his arms, his confidence unwavering. With a smile on his face, he raised his hand toward the floating treasure. The treasure of manipulation responded to his call, its power shifting as XPT energy left the artifact and flowed back into Joseph’s body.
Wakana’s eyes widened in disbelief as Joseph, now holding the treasure, stood before him. The power of the artifact seemed to bend to Joseph’s will, and in that moment, he became its new master. Joseph’s gaze locked with Wakana’s, and he could feel the weight of the victory settling upon him.
With a flick of his wrist, Joseph called forth his allies—Yoshi, Lyra, and the rest of his companions—who had been immobilized. The immobilization lifted, and Wakana’s minions, who had been frozen in place, were also released from their restraints. The battlefield was now filled with the sounds of movement and the realization that the tide had turned.
Wakana, though severely injured, seethed with rage, his eyes burning with fury as he realized that he had been bested. The treasure he had sought to control, the one that could reshape reality itself, now lay in Joseph’s hands. And with it, Joseph held the power to undo the chaos Wakana had wrought, to rewrite the battle, and to emerge victorious.
The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.
***
After gaining control of Wakana’s monstrous army using the treasure of manipulation, Joseph turned his attention to Wakana himself. With a flick of his wrist, the power of the treasure enveloped Wakana, its tendrils wrapping around his mind and forcing him to confess his entire plot. The villain's voice trembled as he spoke, revealing his twisted plans to use the treasure to reshape reality and bring chaos to the world. However, in a moment of desperation, Wakana admitted that if he failed in his mission, he would surrender the treasure to Ryujin and work alongside him. His confession was raw, driven by a mixture of defeat and stubbornness.
As Wakana’s words echoed in the air, Joseph released him from the treasure’s control, unknowingly ensuring that Wakana’s confession had already been heard and understood. The villain stood in stunned silence, unaware that his plans had already been exposed to those he sought to deceive.
“Now we know his true intentions,” Joseph said with a satisfied grin, turning toward Yoshi and Lyra.
"We can use this to our advantage," Yoshi said, his voice steady and determined as he exchanged a knowing glance with Lyra, who nodded in agreement.
Joseph gave a casual wave of his hand. “As for his minions, they’ll serve the town, help rebuild the damage they caused. They won’t be a threat anymore.”
With that, Joseph handed the treasure of manipulation to Yoshi, who accepted it carefully. The group then set off for Aso Town, bringing Wakana and his now-subdued minions as captives. The journey back was tense, but their victory felt assured.
Upon reaching Aso Town, the residents were initially frightened, unsure of what to expect. But Yoshi quickly reassured them, explaining the situation and calming their fears. The townspeople, once suspicious, now rejoiced at the news of their victory, and the town master showed deep gratitude to Yoshi, Lyra, and Joseph. As a gesture of thanks, the town master accepted the treasure of manipulation into his custody, ensuring its safety.
Wakana was imprisoned in a secure cell, where he would await trial for his actions. His loyal monsters, now under the control of the treasure, immediately began to labor, helping the town rebuild what had been destroyed in the chaos. The town’s infrastructure began to take shape once more, and the people worked side by side with the creatures that had once terrorized them.
The treasure of manipulation was then carefully restored to its safehouse, hidden away from any potential threats. The town master, ever grateful, presented Yoshi and his companions with gifts and a place to rest for the night.
The following morning, Yoshi and his companions prepared to leave Aso Town. The townspeople gathered to bid them farewell, their faces filled with gratitude and admiration. The trio, having accomplished their mission, ventured on, knowing that their journey was far from over but that they had made a lasting difference in Aso Town.
As they disappeared into the horizon, the people of Aso Town watched, their hearts filled with hope for the future.
Yoshi and his companions arrived at Obihiro Town after a grueling forty-two-day journey from Aso Town. Unlike the other settlements they had encountered, Obihiro appeared peaceful, almost untouched by the constant monster attacks plaguing the land. The townsfolk carried on with smiles and laughter, creating an illusion of harmony. Yet, the grim faces of the town's warriors told a different story—one of unease and struggle.
These warriors were embroiled in a dire conflict, striving to retrieve the Relic of Space from the clutches of a Demi-Gorgon, a shape-shifting monster of terrifying power. As Yoshi and his companions entered the town square, the warriors' eyes were drawn to them, their gazes filled with a mixture of hope and desperation.
Among the warriors emerged a figure of commanding presence: Emi Arisa, a renowned Knight-Huntress and the leader of Obihiro’s protectors. Emi was a testament to resilience, her human nature lending her a unique adaptability that rivaled even the most gifted defenders of lunar territories. She introduced herself with a calm yet authoritative tone, her reputation for strength and resolve evident in her bearing.
As her sharp eyes scanned the group, she immediately recognized one of Yoshi’s companions—an envoy who had previously volunteered to seek aid from the Wisteria Forest Kingdom. Emi acknowledged the envoy’s efforts with a respectful bow before dismissing them, her focus shifting to Yoshi and the others. Without delay, she invited the group to meet with the town’s mistress, who could provide the full account of their plight.
Inside the grand hall of Obihiro, the town’s mistress—a woman of wisdom and sorrow—narrated the events leading to their current predicament. She spoke of the Relic of Space, a powerful artifact that allowed their entire city to teleport, evading both prying eyes and invading forces. This relic had been central to their survival, enabling seamless transport of people and goods over vast distances.
However, tragedy struck on what seemed to be an ordinary day. During one such teleportation, an insider—later revealed to be a traitor—betrayed the town. As the relic was in use, the traitor seized the opportunity, severing its connection mid-transport. Chaos ensued. Goods were destroyed, lives were lost, and others were horribly disfigured during incomplete teleportation. Before the warriors could apprehend the traitor, they vanished, taking the relic with them.
The warriors spent months, even years, tracking the culprit, enduring countless false leads. When they finally found the traitor, the sight was shocking. The thief lay dying, gravely injured from a failed deal with a rogue dealer. With their final breath, the traitor confessed to selling the relic. The relic’s current holder was far more formidable: a Demi-Gorgon.
"A Demi-Gorgon?" Joseph whispered, his voice heavy with dread. The air in the hall grew tense as the weight of the revelation sank in.
"Yes! But this monster isn’t just an ordinary Demi-Gorgon,” the town’s mistress began, her voice trembling with restrained anger. “He’s a shape-shifter as well—cunning, powerful, and boastful. He thrives on intimidation and manipulation.” She paused, her eyes darkening as she recounted the events.
Joseph leaned against a nearby pillar, his arms crossed. “Let me guess. You’ve tried sending your warriors after it, and they haven’t returned.”
“We initially sent a troop of our best warriors on a reconnaissance mission, hoping they could uncover anything useful about this enemy. However, only one among them returned alive—not out of mercy, but because the Demi-Gorgon spared her intentionally. He wanted a survivor to spread his name, to boast about the power he wields, and to issue a challenge to anyone foolish enough to confront him.”
Emi’s eyes darkened. “We’ve lost many brave souls to the Hollow Chasm. The demi-gorgon’s lair is a maze of illusions and traps. Those who survive long enough to encounter it never make it back.”
The room grew silent as the mistress continued, her tone heavy with the weight of her words. “The creature revealed his location to us, brazenly daring us to confront him. His words were dripping with arrogance, and I quote: ‘If there’s anyone out there who can truly challenge me, I’ll respectfully surrender the Relic of Space to them. But if they fail... I will wipe out the entire town of Obihiro and make its people my slaves and my feast.’”