""Shadow Masked
Chapter 3
The Rising Storm
---
Scene shifts to the sky, where a grand kingdom floats among the clouds. A woman gazes down upon Yush, the Shadow Masked.
Her name is Sayaka.
Sayaka (smiling softly): Oh, our Storm is working so hard...
She blushes slightly, her eyes fixed on him.
---
Scene shifts back to Yush.
Yush is continuing his push-ups.
Yush (panting): Finally...one hundred!
He collapses on the floor, catching his breath.
Yush: It's over...
Ken: Congratulations, Master!
Yush removes his mask and plops down on his chair, turning on the TV. He flips through the channels and notices Mizuhana, a water magic user, performing a stunning display of magic.
Yush (thinking): Can I do that...?
---
Scene shifts to Kracknoir.
He enters a dark portal.
In the portal, Kracknoir easily defeats several E-rank demons.
Kracknoir (grinning): I will come, Storm. Be ready to save your planet. When you challenge me...be ready for the consequences.
---
The next morning on Earth.
Yush sees his mom watching the news on her mobile. The screen shows four robbers raiding a gold store.
Yush (thinking): Idiot robbers...
Yush (out loud): Mom, I need to go to the washroom!
Mom: Hurry back!
Yush rushes to the washroom and puts on his mask.
As he opens the door, he spots his little brother, Ike, still asleep.
Yush (whispering): Thank God he didn't wake up...
Yush uses his speed and dashes outside, soaring into the sky.
Ken: Good morning, Master!
Yush: Ken, show the screen.
Ken: Yes, Master.
A holographic screen appears, and Yush logs in.
Yush: Okay, my account is logged in...where's the news...oh, there it is!
Ken: Understood, Master.
Yush: What do you mean "understood"?
Ken: I can read your mind. For example, right now you're thinking Mizuhana's chest is—
Yush (blushing): Idiot! I meant the news location!
Ken (chuckling): My apologies, Master. Found it!
The screen displays the location of the gold store robbery.
Yush nods and pushes his speed to the limit, flying toward it.
---
Five minutes later.
Yush lands in front of the gold store.
Yush: Finally, we made it.
Ken: Master, there are the robbers.
Yush spots the robbers running out with bags of gold.
Yush (smirking): Found you, kids.
The crowd gasps.
Crowd: It's Shadow Masked!
People start live-streaming the event, capturing every moment.
Robber 1: There's three of us and one of you!
Before he finishes his sentence, Yush dashes forward, slamming him into the ground.
Robber 3 (shocked): He's too fast! I didn't even see him move!
Yush appears behind Robber 2, delivering a quick kick that sends him flying into a wall.
Robber 1 panics and tries to punch Yush, but Yush appears behind him, landing a solid punch that knocks him out cold.
Ken: It's over, Master. Should I call the police?
Yush (shaking his head): No need. They're already on their way.
Yush flies off before anyone can catch him, landing back at his house. He removes his mask and tucks it away.
Suddenly, a voice calls out from behind him.
Kardesh: Yush!
Yush quickly hides the mask and turns around.
Yush (nervously): Oh! Kardesh...good morning!
Kardesh: Did you see the news?
Yush: What news?
Kardesh: Just a few minutes ago, Shadow Masked appeared and stopped a robbery!
Yush (acting surprised): Oh, really?
Kardesh: Yeah...wait, why are you so out of breath?
Yush: Oh, I was just...doing some homework! Why are you here?
Kardesh: I came to get Thani's optional math notes.
Yush: Oh, got it. See you later!
Kardesh leaves, but as he walks away, he thinks to himself.
Kardesh (thinking): He was outside...and then Shadow Masked appeared...nah, maybe I'm overthinking it.
---
Yush goes back to his room and starts writing.
Ike runs up to him.
Ike: Hey, where did you go?
Yush: Washroom.
Ike: But I just came from there...
Yush: I went to the other one.
Ike: Oh...
---
Time passes, and it's now 9:00 AM.
Yush's mom calls out from the kitchen.
Mom: Yush! Ike! Come and eat!
Yush and Ike: Coming!
As they eat, Ike turns to their mom.
Ike: Mom, can you buy me a Shadow Masked mask?
Mom: A Shadow Masked mask? Oh, the hero from the news?
Yush (chuckling nervously): Yeah...Shadow Masked...
Ike: He's so cool!
Yush finishes his food, grabs his bag, and heads out for school.
Yush: Ike, are you coming or not?
Ike: Coming!
---
As they walk to school, a car speeds down the road, nearly hitting a woman. Yush dashes forward, saving her without his mask.
Yush (thinking): I saved her...without the mask...
Woman: Thank you so much, young man!
Yush: No problem.
The woman walks away, and Ike stares at him, amazed.
Ike: That was awesome, bro!
Thani: Yeah, that was amazing!
Yush (thinking): How is that possible? My speed...it's way faster than before...even without the mask...
---
Scene shifts to Kracknoir.
Kracknoir sets up a computer, adjusting the camera.
---
Scene shifts back to Yush, now in school.
He sneaks into the washroom and puts on his mask.
Ken: Welcome back, Master.
Yush: Ken...
Suddenly, Ken speaks up.
Ken: Master, there's a video feed coming through.
Yush: What?
Ken displays the live video on a screen. The entire world watches as Kracknoir speaks.
Kracknoir: My enemy...the Storm...Shadow Masked. I am coming to your planet. Be ready in two days. You challenged me...now I challenge you. Next time...I will kill you, Storm.
---
Scene shifts back to Yush, stunned.
Yush: Ken, tell me everything about this "Storm."
Ken: Give me a moment, Master...processing...
---
To be continued...""