Tsukasa's voice was calm, but his eyes gleamed with curiosity. "Lead the way."
Lumi didn't waste time. She gave a quick nod and pushed ahead, weaving through the bustling streets of Dravorn like a hunter tracking her prey. Elara stayed close to Tsukasa's side, her gaze flickering from merchant stalls to the towering spires above. The city was massive, almost alive, the air humming with tension — though whether it was from the politics, the rumors of cults, or something darker, none of them could tell.
Dravorn was a city that wore a mask of prosperity over a face of secrets.
As they moved deeper, Tsukasa kept his senses sharp. He could feel it — the unseen eyes, the unspoken fear. People here weren't just worried about taxes or bandits. No, this city hid something, something old and wrong.
"There," Lumi said, pointing toward a crooked alley that led to an old, nondescript tavern. The sign above the door swayed in the wind, barely hanging on to its rusted hinges. The Black Mantle, it read.
"This is the kind of place where people talk when they don't want to be heard," Lumi murmured.
Tsukasa smirked. "My kind of place."
They entered. The inside was dim, thick with the scent of old ale and woodsmoke. Only a few patrons scattered the room, and those who noticed the newcomers quickly looked away.
Lumi headed to a shadowed table in the corner while Elara scanned the room for threats. Tsukasa took a seat, leaning back casually, yet his fingers brushed against his card case. He didn't like the way the walls seemed to press in.
A barmaid brought them drinks without a word. Lumi motioned toward a lean man sitting alone at a nearby table — his clothes marked him as a guild runner or information broker.
"I'll handle this," she whispered.
As Lumi went to work, Tsukasa's attention was pulled toward a presence outside. A cold, heavy sensation gripped the air — something was approaching. Something dark.
Then it happened.
The tavern's door burst open. A figure in tattered black robes stormed inside, face twisted with malice and madness. The room froze as the dark elf, his features sharp and cruel, raised a hand crackling with dark magic.
"There you are, outsider!" the dark elf spat, locking eyes with Tsukasa. "You thought you could run from Zorath's will?"
Tsukasa didn't even flinch. He stood slowly, brushing the edge of his long coat aside, revealing the Decadriver at his waist.
"Whoa… magic," Tsukasa grinned, his voice casual, almost amused. "Neat trick."
The elf snarled and hurled a blast of black fire toward him.
In one swift, practiced motion, Tsukasa pulled a card from his holder.
KAMEN RIDE: WIZARD.
He slid the card into the Decadriver, and with a sharp twist:
"KAMEN RIDE: WIZARD!"
In an instant, a ring of ancient glyphs ignited in the air, encircling him. Flames of red and gold spiraled around Tsukasa's form as armor forged from arcane energy and polished mystic metal snapped into place. The helmet sealed last, its jewel-like visor reflecting the panicked tavern patrons.
The transformation was beautiful — and terrifying.
"Now this… this is my kind of magic," Tsukasa grinned beneath the helmet.
The dark elf screamed in fury, launching another wave of corrupted energy, but Tsukasa didn't even dodge. He let it strike his armored chest — the energy dispersing harmlessly in a cascade of runes and fire.
"Is that it?" Tsukasa said mockingly, his voice carrying through the helmet's comms. "I was hoping for something impressive."
Elara and Lumi unsheathed their weapons, standing at his sides. Tavern-goers scrambled for cover, while outside, shadows shifted — more dark elves emerging from alleyways, armed and ready.
"Elara, Lumi — leave this one to me," Tsukasa ordered. "You two handle the stragglers."
Elara gave a sharp nod. "Gladly."
Lumi smirked. "About time we had some fun."
The fight erupted in the streets outside while Tsukasa advanced on the dark elf chief inside.
The elf tried again — a spell laced with corrupted symbols and foul power. Tsukasa moved through it like a wraith, the Wizard-enhanced armor blurring his movements. In a heartbeat, Tsukasa closed the distance.
"This world's magic is neat, but let me show you how we do things where I'm from."
He pulled another card.
FINAL ATTACK RIDE: WIZARD
He inserted it, twisting the Decadriver.
"FINAL ATTACK RIDE: W-W-W-WIZARD!"
A massive, blazing magic ring appeared behind him. Tsukasa sprinted forward, passing through it — his entire body igniting with elemental fury. As he struck, the entire tavern seemed to quake, a blast of fire and mystic force hurling the dark elf out through the wall and into the street.
Ashes settled. The elf didn't rise.
Tsukasa canceled the transformation with a flash of light. He stepped through the broken tavern wall, joining Lumi and Elara, who stood amid fallen enemies.
"Problem solved," Tsukasa said with a shrug.
Elara wiped blood from her blade. "You're a showoff, you know that?"
Tsukasa smirked. "And you're welcome.