The Box: Fate
Chapter 40 — The Lightning Vanguard and the Akatsuki Reunion
The clearing in the Whispering Woods exploded in a rain of splinters and blue sparks The Level 42 Woodland Ravager recoiled its petrification beam fizzling out as the sapphire bolt of lightning seared its main eye
Axel Hatanaki and Akira scrambled to their feet their eyes widening as they saw the figure standing on a massive fallen cedar Zanaki looked like a ghost returned from the grave—his clothes were torn his skin was tanned by the river sun and his eyes held a draconic slit that hummed with ancient power Beside him Hanzoe held her hunting blades in a reverse grip her stance low and lethal
Zanaki! Axel roared half-angry and half-relieved You're alive you magnificent idiot!
Stay focused Axel! Akira cut in his sword glowing with a silver edge The beast is recovering!
The Ravager let out a metallic screech its snake-mane hissing in unison The snakes elongated lashing out like whips of obsidian Akira blurred into motion his Steel Wind skill allowing him to parry a dozen strikes at once the sparks flying like fireflies
Akira left flank! Axel take the core! Zanaki commanded jumping from the branch
As he fell the air around him distorted MANIFEST: AZUREUS!
The Storm Dragon didn't appear in full form but his humanoid spectral image materialized behind Zanaki A massive blue-scaled arm mimicked Zanaki movement slamming into the Ravager side with the force of a falling meteor The beast was sent skidding across the dirt crashing through three stone pillars
Nice hit! Axel laughed his own golden aura flaring He leaped into the air his fists trailing sun-fire TITAN STRIKE: SUN-BREAKER! He descended like a comet his punch connecting directly with the beast obsidian back The armor cracked leaking black ichor
Hanzoe didn't stay still She moved like a shadow slipping under the beast reach Her blades glowed with a faint green light—the poison-nullifying herbs she had coated them with began to neutralize the beast corrosive acid She sliced through the creature hind tendons forcing the Level 42 monster to its knees
Who is the girl? Akira shouted parrying a lunging snake-head
She a survivor! Zanaki yelled back his palms crackling with electricity A member of the Trillion Anime Zone She one of us! A fellow Akatsuki soul!
The moment the name left Zanaki lips Axel and Akira froze for a split second nearly getting hit by the Ravager tail
Wait what did you just call us? Axel shouted dodging a swipe of the crystalline stinger The Akatsuki ? Zanaki since when is that our official team name? Who decided that?!
And why are we the last to know? Akira added his voice sharp even in the heat of battle I thought we were just a group of survivors! I never agreed to be part of a rogue ninja organization!
Zanaki laughed dodging a spray of acid with a backflip Come on guys! It was our WhatsApp group name! It sounds cool it's iconic, and it fits our vibe I officially declared it back at the hotel! Didn't Kataki tell you?
Kataki hasn't said a word about a team name! Axel grumbled his golden fist smashing another snake-head I'm going to have a talk with that blind monk when we get back Akatsuki... seriously? We're going to get sued for copyright by the Nagato!
Despite the banter their coordination was perfect The four of them moved as a single unit
Akira provided the speed his sword-work keeping the beast many heads occupied Axel provided the raw force breaking the beast's heavy armor piece by piece
Hanzoe provided the precision disabling the monster mobility and venom Zanaki provided the finishing power his draconic lightning building up in the clouds above
The Woodland Ravager realized it was hunted It tried to retreat into the shadows but Hanzoe threw a smoke-bomb laced with tracking powder He not going anywhere! she cried
Zanaki raised his hand to the sky The clouds swirled into a vortex of sapphire energy Sorry big guy The Akatsuki are back together and we're in a hurry
DRAGON REIGN: THUNDER-FALL!
A massive bolt of lightning shaped like a dragon's claw descended from the heavens It struck the Ravager dead-center The explosion blinded everyone in the clearing When the smoke cleared nothing remained of the Level 42 beast but a glowing pile of experience shards and a high-tier loot drop
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION: BOSS DEFEATED]
[LEVEL UP: ZANAKI — LEVEL 37]
[LEVEL UP: AXEL — LEVEL 34]
[LEVEL UP: AKIRA — LEVEL 34]
The silence of the woods returned The four of them stood panting covered in dirt and sweat Axel looked at Zanaki then at Hanzoe and finally at the sky
Akatsuki huh? Axel muttered wiping blood from his lip He looked at his glowing fist I guess it does have a nice ring to it
Welcome back Zanaki Akira said, sheathing his sword He looked at Hanzoe and gave a respectful nod And welcome to the mess Hanzoe If you can handle Zanaki's jokes for two days you're definitely one of us
Zanaki beamed putting his arms around his friends shoulders Let's go home We have a blind guy to complain to and a city to save
The four of them began the walk back to Liya leaving the marked trees behind The Akatsuki was no longer just a group chat—it was a legend in the making