The moon hung high in the night sky, casting its pale light over the dark streets of Dravorn. Tsukasa, with his hands still casually tucked into his coat pockets, led the way through the foggy alleyways.
Lumi and Elara remained on edge, their senses heightened. The eerie silence of the city was almost suffocating.
"You're sure you know where we're going?" Elara asked quietly, her voice barely above a whisper.
Tsukasa's lazy grin never faltered as he kept walking. "Yeah. I know exactly where we're going."
Lumi glanced at him, her eyes narrowing. "Then why is it that we keep circling back to the same damn street?"
Tsukasa didn't answer. He just tilted his head, almost as if listening to something only he could hear.
And then, as though the city itself had exhaled, there was a rustle in the shadows.
A figure appeared — silent as death, cloaked in dark armor, with the glint of daggers catching the faint light.
Veyra stepped forward, a blade in each hand, eyes like cold, unfeeling ice.
Tsukasa stopped in his tracks, his expression unchanged. He let out a quiet sigh, taking his hands out of his pockets.
"Yeah, I figured you'd show up eventually," Tsukasa muttered, his voice casual but carrying an undeniable edge.
Veyra's lips barely parted. "I was ordered to eliminate you. Your power is an unknown factor that cannot be allowed to grow."
Tsukasa shrugged. "If you think you can, go ahead. If not… well, better luck next time."
Veyra's eyes narrowed. With a blur of motion, the assassin lunged — twin daggers aimed at Tsukasa's throat, deadly precision in every move.
Tsukasa sidestepped effortlessly, letting the blades slice through thin air where he had been just a moment ago. His movements were lazy, fluid — it was clear he wasn't taking this fight seriously.
He spun on his heel, grabbing one of Veyra's arms mid-motion and throwing the assassin into the ground with ease. The impact echoed through the alleyway.
Lumi and Elara took a step forward, but Tsukasa raised his hand.
"Stay out of this," he said, not even bothering to look at them. "I've got it."
Veyra sprang to their feet, undeterred, launching a flurry of strikes at Tsukasa.
But Tsukasa was faster.
He dodged the first strike, blocked the second with the flat of his hand, and then used his knee to send the assassin staggering back.
The assassin's gaze flickered, frustrated but focused. "You move like a man who does not fear death."
Tsukasa raised an eyebrow, stepping casually toward the assassin. "I'm not afraid of death. But I'll give you credit… you're persistent."
In a sudden motion, Tsukasa pulled out his Decadriver.
"Henshin."
The transformation sequence was quick, fluid. A burst of light engulfed him as the Decadriver snapped into place around his waist. His black-and-pink armor materialized with the familiar shift of magical energy, but no runes or mystical aura — just solid, simple, and practical.
He cracked his neck and took a stance. "Let's make this quick."
Veyra's expression darkened. They leaped into the air, blades drawn, moving faster than the eye could follow. But this time, Tsukasa was ready.
With a single swipe of his hand, he knocked one of the daggers out of the assassin's grasp, the other blocked by the side of his arm.
Veyra landed gracefully, but Tsukasa was already on the offensive. He followed up with a quick jab to the chest, sending the assassin stumbling back.
Veyra adjusted, launching another barrage of attacks, this time with even more speed, but Tsukasa's movements were calm, almost lazy. Every strike was blocked, every counter quick and precise.
Then, with a swift motion, Tsukasa grabbed the assassin by the wrist, twisting it until they dropped their remaining dagger. He kicked Veyra's legs out from under them and slammed them onto the ground with a heavy thud.
Tsukasa stepped back, looking down at the assassin with a smirk. "You really thought you could take me on with those toys?"
Veyra, pinned to the ground, didn't speak. They simply glared up at him with cold fury.
Tsukasa shook his head. "I told you. You really shouldn't mess with me." He reached down, grabbing the dagger from the ground and tossing it aside. "You're still alive for now, but if you're gonna keep coming after me, you're gonna have to try harder."
Lumi and Elara stood back, eyes wide with surprise at how effortlessly Tsukasa handled the situation.
Veyra's lips curled into a small, bitter smile. "You're right, Rider. This was nothing but a test. But I do not fail. I will return."
Tsukasa chuckled lightly, brushing his hands off. "I'm sure you will." He glanced back at Lumi and Elara. "Let's go."
Veyra watched as Tsukasa and his companions disappeared into the fog, a lingering sense of frustration in the assassin's eyes.
As they vanished into the night, Veyra slowly stood up, disappearing into the shadows. The hunt had only just begun.