The streets of Kyoto were shrouded in the cool veil of early dusk, the sun dipping below the skyline as lanterns flickered to life. Though peaceful on the surface, there were whispers in the supernatural underground rumors of a young powerful dragon causing chaos along the outskirts of the city, defeating rogue yokai, lesser gods, and even stray devils with casual ease. No one dared approach her. No one except one.
Riser stood alone atop a temple roof overlooking the city, the wind brushing his hair back. Clad in a sleek black battle tunic adorned with his clan's crimson emblem, he looked far older than his eleven years. His aura was intense, a slow burning flame of pressure that seemed to ripple around him. He had come to Japan for one reason to recruit what some called a monster.
Her name was Milim Nava, a young Dragon in human form. Rumored to be the daughter of a powerful dragon who once conquered cities, she'd torn her way through countless opponents in search of excitement, never settling, never obeying. A perfect fit for a Rook if she could be tamed.
Tracking her wasn't difficult. Destruction followed in her wake.
A tremor suddenly shook the ground beneath the temple, followed by a loud crash. Riser leapt from the rooftop, landing in a crouch as dust and debris filled the air. A stone wall had been blown out, revealing a clearing behind the temple. Standing in the middle of the ruined space was a girl no older in appearance than Riser himself wearing an outfit of pink and black, with twin pigtails of vibrant bubblegum colored hair, and eyes that sparkled with chaotic energy.
Milim Nava.
She was grinning like a kid in a candy store.
"Ohhh? Another one come to fight me?" she chirped, stretching her arms. "You don't look like a god. Or a yokai. But your aura's not weak either I can have fun with you!"
Riser stepped forward, his golden eyes locked onto hers. "Milim Nava, daughter of destruction. I'm Riser Phenex of the House of Phoenix."
"Blah blah, noble title. What do you want?" she said with a dramatic yawn.
"I've come to offer you a place in my peerage. As my Rook."
Milim blinked. Then she burst into laughter. "Join you? As your piece? That's adorable! Why would someone like me the strongest, join you?"
Riser didn't flinch. "Because I'll give you something you've been craving a real fight. And if I win, you join me."
Milim's eyes lit up like fireworks. "Heh I like you already. If you can beat me, I'll consider it. But don't cry when I flatten you!"
Without another word, she rocketed toward him, the air cracking behind her. Riser barely had time to dodge before her fist slammed into the ground, creating a crater. He jumped backward and landed in a roll, engulfing himself in blue flames.
"reduce all to ash" he all but whispered
A wave of blue almost white flames erupted from his hands, swallowing the entire field if one were to look in their direction all they will see is white with a tinge of blue. Milim spun through it, laughing, her clothes singed but her body unharmed.
"Oh my I can feel the heat residing on my skin, ok My turn now!" she giggled, slamming her palms together. "Dragon atomic Smash!"
A shockwave exploded from her fists, sending Riser flying almost into a wall, but he gracefully used his two feet to land on the wall rocketing himself back towards here like a comet. Landing a devastating punch like a nuke going off having her skid on the pavement like a rock.
Milim getting back up some bruises forming on her body, but mostly fine looked at him surprised having never felt a blow like that before. Looking at him with a maniac smile loving every minute of this fight.
She was stronger than anything he'd faced before. But even so he wouldn't lose not to anyone.
"You're not the only one who's grows stronger through a fight," Riser said, his body lighting up as if the sun was right infront of her temperature reaching unbearable for most people to be next towards.
He charged, this time with everything. Solar Flames surged, the air shimmered like a inferno. Milim tried to catch his fist, but her eyes widened his strength had multiplied. They exchanged blows with Riser using his skill to parry and block all her punches, the earth cracking beneath them. Her laughter turned from playful to thrilled having never fought such a opponent who can overwhelm her like this.
"Yes! Yes! This is it!" Milim roared, grinning with sharp teeth.
They clashed again his flame coated punch meeting her dragon infused strike. Dust and fire engulfed the field. Having been fighting for more than 30 minutes with Riser mostly humoring her watching as she grown in strength throughout the fight, but never quite reaching his level.
And then silence.
As the smoke cleared, Riser stood, not even a little sweat marked his face, his clothes mostly gone as not even the runes on them being able to withstand the heat he was now releasing. Milim lay on her back in the crater, blinking up at the stars.
"I lost," she muttered, a stunned smile on her face. "I actually lost."
Riser offered a hand. "So. Will you join me?"
Milim stared at him for a long moment. Then she grinned and grabbed his hand, pulling herself up. "Hehehe yeah. That was fun. You're the first one who actually pushed me that far. Alright, Phenex boy you've got yourself a dragon!"
Riser reached into his coat and pulled out two Rook pieces, both glowing with power. "It'll take both pieces to hold your strength. You ready?"
Milim rolled her shoulders. "Let's do it!"
The pieces sank into her chest, magic swirling around her like a storm. Her aura flared, powerful and wild but now tinged with devil energy. When the light faded, she cracked her knuckles and grinned. "I feel awesome, hey lets fight again!"
Riser smiled, satisfied with the new piece he just acquired. "Welcome to the peerage, Milim Nava and nah you will just lose again." Patting her head like a child
Milim pouting, but not questioning it said nothing after
As they walked away from the destroyed clearing, Milim clung to his shoulder like a child who had found her favorite toy. "You know, this might actually be fun. And you're kinda cute when you fight seriously."
Riser laughed with a charming smile. "You're not the only one to say that and probably wont be the last."
In the shadows, Thinking that he remained unseen by either, a yokai watched with wide eyes before vanishing. News of the fight and the outcome would soon spread.
And the world would know Riser Phenex had just added a dragon to his ranks.