It’s dead quiet within the underground Veguhl warehouse. Everyone in the room watches Kenjiro intently while he keeps his katana pointed at Monsoon’s neck.

Monsoon: Bold move human. But it will soon be your last.

Kenjiro: Your bounty is for dead or alive. I wouldn’t be making any threats if I were you pal.

Monsoon tries to rise, but Kenjiro nudges the blade deeper into his neck.

Kenjiro: Ah, ah, ah, one false move and you’ll be missing a head Mr. Boss Bird.

Chelsea begins to gasp for air as Monsoon begins to tighten his grip around her neck.

Monsoon: One false move and she’ll be missing a head.

Evona: Chelsea!

Araceli: Chelsea!

Chelsea desperately struggles to breathe. Kenjiro appears to be unfazed.

Kenjiro: Go ahead.

Monsoon raises an eyebrow.

Monsoon: What? I really will kill her.

Kenjiro: Do what you will. There’s no bounty for her as far as I know. And I’m certainly not going out of my way for some Innokian strumpet.

Monsoon pauses and let’s Chelsea go with a smirk. She gasps for air as she feels her neck.

Monsoon: Well played human. I must say you’re a cut above the rest of your kind. However, there’s just one small flaw with your plan.

Kenjiro: Oh?

Monsoon’s eyes glow gray and his wings spread apart, blowing Kenjiro back a few yards. Kenjiro remains firm on his feet with his sword raised for the coming skirmish.

Monsoon gets into a wide stance and gray mist swirls around him. He let’s out a maniacal laugh as drool oozes out from his gaping grin.

Veguhl Henchman: Kill him and skin him, Boss!

Fat Veguhl Henchman: Show that wingless cowboy who the mighty truly are, Boss!

Kenjiro: (Damn, I can see his vyrkra without the use of any steam. It looks like I have my work cut out for me this time.)

Monsoon: I can sense a great deal of vyrkra within you human, or should I say Kenjiro, of the Dawnguthar Clan.

Kenjiro smirks.

Kenjiro: I see my reputation precedes me. If you were a beautiful damsel I’d be flattered.

Monsoon: Oh it very much does precede you. Which is why I had you brought here, to test my growing might against a foe that took part in the subjugation of a queen.

Monsoon glances at Evona.

Monsoon: Evona!

Evona: Y-Yes! Mr. Monsoon, sir!

Monsoon: Go ahead and give our guest his sword back. I think he’ll be needing it.

Evona: Uh, y-yes boss!

Kenjiro holds out his right arm and he quickly transforms into the Ogre State. Upon doing so the blade flies out from Evona’s arms and into Kenjiro’s demonic hand. Everyone in the room looks at Kenjiro with great intrigue.

Dean: Wait, what happened to him? Is he an Innokian too? What did I miss?

Tina looks elated.

Tina: Oh my god! I can’t believe the rumors were true! He really is from the secret cursed clan of the Zoh-Gyn!

Kenjiro: I see there’s no need for holding back with you. I can tell you’ve been properly training in the arts of vyrkra for many moons to be in the condition you’re in right now. I’m almost impressed.

Monsoon: Oh you’ll be quite impressed once I rip off all your limbs and feed them to you. The only reason you still draw breath right now is because I want to test my strength against a power that has fought alongside the Witch Tier. Because once I’m through with you, she and the king of Massadah will be next on my to die list.

Monsoon darts to Kenjiro and lunges a massive fist. Kenjiro blocks the attack by unsheathing the Ogre Blade at the last second, the impact of which greatly rattles the entire room. Chelsea immediately looks surprised by Kenjiro’s might.

Chelsea: (That was one of Monsoon’s most powerful blows, and this mere human withstood it?)

Tina and Dean nearly fall from the ceiling’s vent due to the rattling.

Dean: I think this is our cue to leave Tina. This is starting to look ugly.

Tina: And miss a once in a lifetime chance to watch two supernatural titans go at it? This in itself is a top scoop!

Monsoon performs a roundhouse kick but Kenjiro ducks it with supernatural speed. Monsoon follows up by spinning around with another kick and Kenjiro blocks it with the flat side of his blade.

Monsoon: Ah, I almost forgot about your clan’s rumored endowment.

Kenjiro: Curse, you mean.

Monsoon lunges but Kenjiro ducks and swings with the Torqued Katana, leaving a subtle scratch on Monsoon’s stomach. He jumps back and chuckles. Everyone in the room looks surprised.

Skinny Veguhl Henchman: Did he, did he just graze the boss?

Fat Veguhl Henchman: I-I don’t believe it. Not even Bolt has done this much harm to Monsoon. Who is this human?

Old Veguhl Henchman: You call that a human? He must be a spawn of Alkadeius to be performing these feats. I mean just look at him! He’s a demon in the flesh!

Chelsea: (What is this man? Does he truly intend to defeat the undefeated?)

Monsoon: You call the power that allows a human to go toe to toe with an Innokian a curse? This is a grand blessing for your feeble ilk, one you should be grateful for.

Kenjiro leaps back and gets into a wide stance. He reveals a perturbed look.

Kenjiro: Spoken like a true fool. All muscle and no brains--

Steam spews out from the Ogre Blade’s sheathe as Kenjiro swings out a wave of purple mist from his sword. The attack lands and gives Monsoon a nasty gash across his chest, however, he only laughs in response.

Monsoon: Is that all?

Kenjiro: (Damn, a full force attack from the Ogre Blade is only good for a gash?)

Kenjiro examines the room.

Kenjiro: (How am I going to cut this bird down? I know Zyn-Oizarga would do the trick but with the Ogre Blade’s wild power the attack could kill everybody in the room. And I know not everyone here is worthy of such an end.)

Monsoon: You’re a fool if you think you can defeat Irikihl’s next savior with a few paper cuts.

Kenjiro looks intrigued.

Kenjiro: Irikihl’s next savior?

Monsoon: Of course. Only a warrior of my caliber is capable of taking down the queens that oppress my people. Not the vainly lauded Witch Tier, or the foolish pampered king of Massadah.

Kenjiro chuckles.

Kenjiro: So the great Demon of the Storm is a complete dunce. No wonder you Innokians rely on your vyrkrial prowess so much, that’s all you have.

Monsoon: Scoff all you want human, but you’re not the only who has been endowed.

Monsoon blinks and his eyes appear to be vyrkracite, surprising everyone. They spew steam and Monsoon fans it towards Kenjiro. The steam turns to a fast moving cloud of electricity. Kenjiro uses the Ogre Blade as a lightning rod to absorb the cloud but Monsoon quickly dashes to him and knees him in the stomach, stunning him. Monsoon grabs Kenjiro by the neck and lifts him up. The Veguhl goons cheer and the Veguhl women cover their mouths with a gasp.

Tina: Oh no, he got him…

Dean: Poor bastard, he shouldn’t have had all those drinks.

Tina gives Dean an incredulous look.

Chelsea looks away with a somewhat disappointed face, certain of the outcome. Monsoon laughs as Kenjiro struggles to breathe.

Monsoon: What’s wrong human? Weren’t you going to remove my head? Oh, that’s right, that’s what I’m going to do to you!

Monsoon squeezes and Kenjiro drops his sword.

Monsoon: Once I reveal to the world how worthless the Witch Tier is, I’m going to slay the queens of this world and reestablish us Innokians as the true dominant species of Irikihl.We will return to our glorious past. The days when we ruled over you humans with rods of iron!

Kenjiro: You’ll never succeed. You’re not a leader. Just a power hungry fool.

Fat Veguhl Henchman: Kill him boss!

Kenjiro: You have no idea what it takes to rid the world of the witches.

Monsoon: Oh I do human. I know all too well the power the queens possess, which is why I will be the one to slay them. It will be by my hand that they fall. For I have been blessed with a great power to dispose of them.

Monsoon’s vyrkracite eyes sparkle and glow. Kenjiro stops struggling and pauses. Monsoon smiles.

Monsoon: That’s right human. Stop resisting and just let destiny run its course.

Kenjiro looks at Monsoon dead in the eyes.

Kenjiro: You think you really have what it takes to slay a queen? Do you?!

Monsoon looks taken aback by Kenjiro’s sudden shift in demeanor. Kenjiro’s Ogre side of his body grows far more muscular and prominent in tandem with his ire. Kenjiro grabs Monsoon’s arm, digging his fingers into his flesh. Monsoon lets out a confused grunt in pain.

Kenjiro: There is only one other soul that I will allow to slay the witch that did this to me and my kindred!

Monsoon let’s go of Kenjiro, and his opponent responds by stabbing through his torso with the Ogre Blade. Monsoon and the rest of the room looks shocked.

Kenjiro: And you are most unworthy you feathered freak!

Kenjiro punts Monsoon off his blade and across the room, sending him crashing into a wall. Kenjiro coughs up blood into his hand before reverting back to his normal form. He swings Monsoon’s blood off of his blade and catches his breath.

Kenjiro: You Innokians may possess many advantages over humans, but your will is not one of them.

Chapter End