Shadowmasked
Chapter: 4
Shadowmasked: Clash at the Astral Union
Once upon a time, the world was completely destroyed. One god created a new world and named it Earth. Who this god is, nobody knows. After creating the world, magic was born. Humans appeared with magical abilities.
Humans started wars, one after another, but seven powerful individuals known as the Astral Union stopped the conflicts and established peace. Over time, humans began to lose their magic, but they created science to fill the void. However, the members of the Astral Union still retained their magic.
Each member of the Astral Union has a unique nickname:
• Flames
• Mizu
• Heal
• Cloud
• Destruction
• Sound Tracker
• Storm
These are only their nicknames; their real names remain unknown. As the years passed, the members of the Astral Union changed, with new ones taking the place of those who had passed away.
One thing is certain—Storm is special. Throughout history, there have only been three known Storms:
• The first Storm is unknown.
• The second Storm is also unknown.
• The third Storm...
(Scene shifts to a recap of when Shadow Masked first appeared)
Reporter: What's your name?
Yush: It's Shadow Masked.
(He walks out the door and is greeted by cheering reporters and flashing cameras.)
(Second recap)
Audience: Hey, it's Shadow Masked!
(People start live-streaming as the masked hero steps forward. Three robbers appear, facing off against him.)
Robber: There are three of us and only one of you!
(Before he even finishes speaking, Yush slams Robber 3 to the ground in a blur of motion.)
Robber 1: He's so fast! I couldn't even see him move!
(As he thinks this, Yush kicks Robber 2, sending him flying. Robber 1 tries to punch him, but Yush appears behind him and knocks him out with a single punch. The battle is over in seconds.)
(Recap ends)
The Astral Union protects the world, but they work in secret.
[Scene Shifts Back to Yush and Ken]
Ken: "That's all the information I could find, Master."
(Yush, wearing the mask, looks intrigued.)
Yush: "So...how am I connected to 'Storm'?"
Ken: "The third Storm also used this mask. When someone uses it, they become the Storm. When an Astral Union member dies, their power transfers to a new member. That's how new 'Flames,' 'Mizu,' and others are chosen."
Yush: "Then why have there only been three Storms?"
Ken: "Because every Storm is just like you, Master. No magic, no mana...labeled as failures. This mask only chooses those who are different. Normal people can't use it."
Yush: "Oh, I see... The Astral Union works in secret, but I'm going to change that."
Ken: "Yes, Master."
Yush: "Can you track where the other members are?"
Ken: "Okay... I'll try."
(Processing...)
Ken: "I couldn't find them, Master."
Yush: "Forget it. Find me a place where I can upgrade my power. First, I want to unlock my magic."
Ken: "Master, good news!"
Yush: "What is it?"
Ken: "I found the Astral Union base. Do you want to go there, Master?"
Yush: "No doubt, let's do it."
Ken: "I'll set the location. Use your power."
Yush: "Alright then... Teleportation Power!"
(A flash of light envelops him, and he disappears.)
[Scene Changes to the Astral Union Base]
(Six members are seated around a grand table. One of them, Flames, stands up, clearly angry.)
Flames: "What the hell? A kid becomes the Storm and shows up in public?"
(Another member, Sound Tracker, leans back in his chair and chuckles.)
Sound Tracker: "Calm down, Flames. You're just like your name—always burning up. I can hear your voice shaking."
(Flames glares at him, fists clenched. Suddenly, Heal steps forward, removing her mask, revealing her face.)
Heal: "I am Sayaka. Even without my mask, I still have my abilities."
(Suddenly, a shadow appears behind Flames. Yush materializes with a grin.)
Yush: "Oh, seriously? Sayaka, huh?"
(Everyone is stunned, their eyes fixed on Yush as if they want to tear him apart.)
Yush (smirking): "Come on, don't look at me like that. I know I'm handsome, but I've got a crush on Mizuhana. She's an anime character."
(Flames, seething with rage, turns around, his fist igniting into flames as he lunges at Yush.)
Flames: "You idiot!"
(Just before the punch lands, Yush vanishes and reappears right beside Sayaka. She screams in surprise and almost falls, but Yush catches her effortlessly.)
Yush (grinning): "Wow, so this is your voice, huh? I recognize it."
(Sayaka blushes deeply, completely flustered. Suddenly, Cloud steps forward, his voice calm and composed.)
Cloud: "Welcome, Storm...our new member."
Yush (raising an eyebrow): "Who are you?"
Ken (whispering in his mind): "He's 'Cloud.' His real name is unknown."
Cloud (nodding): "I am Cloud."
A sudden swirl of clouds formed above, darkening the sky. From within the mist, a figure descended, his silhouette barely visible against the churning gray.
"Welcome, Storm, our new member," the figure said with a grin.
Yush stepped forward, eyes narrowing. "Who are you?"
Ken's voice echoed in his mind. He's called Cloud. His real name...I don't know.
The figure landed gracefully, arms crossed. "I am Cloud," he introduced himself with a slight nod.
"And what do you want?" Yush asked, his stance firm.
Cloud shrugged casually. "Nothing in particular."
Before the conversation could continue, another voice cut through the air. "What if we create a 1v1 battle? Good practice and good entertainment," Destruction suggested, standing tall with a confident smirk.
Flames immediately stepped forward, his eyes locked onto Storm. "I want to fight him first. The weakest in our group should warm me up."
Mizu yawned dramatically, stretching her arms. "Hurry it up. I'm not interested in your boring talk," she scoffed, her gaze drifting towards Storm. Her eyes lingered for a moment. Wait...I've seen him before. His body and the way he dresses...he looks just like Yush Basel from my school.
Her mind flashed back to a memory—Yush standing by the water tap, his eyes sharp and determined. The memory faded, and she snapped back to reality, her eyes narrowing.
Meanwhile, Yush conversed with Ken privately. "Why doesn't Heal wear a mask? Everyone else does," he asked curiously.
Ken's voice echoed softly. Because she's the Princess of Angels.
Yush raised an eyebrow. "An Angel, huh?" He paused, glancing around. "One thing I've noticed—everyone's mask is different from mine."
That's because your mask is unique, Master, Ken replied confidently.
Yush nodded slowly. "I see..."
Destruction clapped his hands loudly, drawing everyone's attention. "Alright! We'll decide the matches with Rock-Paper-Scissors."
The group gathered in a circle, hands ready. "On three," Destruction called out. "One...Two...Three!"
The results came fast:
Storm chose Rock.
Flames chose Rock.
Mizu chose Paper.
Destruction chose Paper.
Sound Tracker chose Rock.
Heal chose Paper.
Cloud chose Rock.
Storm counted quickly. "Four Rocks and three Papers."
Destruction nodded. "Then it's settled—Storm vs. Flames, Mizu vs. Heal, and Destruction vs. Cloud. Sound Tracker, you're our referee."
Sound Tracker groaned. "How unlucky I am..."
He stepped forward reluctantly. "The first match...Destruction vs. Cloud!"
The group spread out, giving space for the battle to begin
Sound Tracker stepped forward, raising his hand. "The first match is...Destruction versus Cloud!"
Yush stood silently, his mind racing. Ken, I just remembered something...
What is it, Master? Ken replied calmly.
My school...I'm going to miss the assembly. I'll be right in the middle of it, Yush thought, his eyes darting nervously.
Don't worry, Master. Today's news caused the school to give one week of holidays, Ken explained.
Yush sighed in relief. Oh, okay then.
Sound Tracker clapped his hands. "Alright! Destruction and Cloud, step forward and start your match!"
Cloud and Destruction walked to the center, facing each other with determination in their eyes. Suddenly, Cloud lifted off the ground, hovering gracefully in the air. Destruction's eyes widened for a moment before he followed, lifting off the ground to meet Cloud at the same height.
Yush (shocked): "What...they can fly?"
Ken: "Of course, Master. Every mask user possesses the ability to fly, but..."
Yush: "But what?"
Ken: "Your mask has even greater abilities."
Yush: "You mean...teleportation?"
Ken: "Yes, Master."
In the match...
High above the battlefield, Cloud and Destruction exchanged blows, fists colliding with shocking force. Each punch was met with a block or a dodge, their movements precise and powerful.
Destruction (smirking): "You've improved, Cloud."
His hands began to glow with mana, swirling and condensing around his fists. He prepared a spell, the energy crackling with raw power.
Cloud: "Seriously? You think I'm still weak? You're dead wrong!"
Cloud mirrored Destruction's actions, gathering mana of his own. The two unleashed their spells simultaneously, the impact creating a massive explosion, shrouding the arena in thick fog.
Yush (thinking): Magic like that...I can't believe it. I can't create anything close to that.
Ken: You can, Master. Just give it a few months.
Back in the battle...
Cloud and Destruction clashed again, trading punches and kicks in mid-air. Suddenly, Cloud halted, his eyes sparking with energy. Electricity crackled around him, growing brighter and stronger.
Cloud (shouting): "Blue Lightning Beam!"
A colossal beam of electric energy erupted from his hands, tearing through the air and crashing into Destruction with a thunderous explosion. Destruction screamed, his arm severed by the blast.
Destruction (screaming): "Aaaahhhhhhhhhhhh!"
Yush (shocked): "What...what is that?!"
Ken: "That's the Blue Lightning Beam, Master. It was created by the first Cloud. His name is unknown, but he mastered it at the age of ten. Cloud's current beam is only at 90% power, though."
Back in the battle...
Destruction's eyes flared with rage. His aura grew darker, more menacing. The ground began to tremble—not just the ground, but the entire area as if the earth itself was shaking.
Yush (amazed): "That's...incredible."
Ken: "You have to go and stop this, Master."
Yush: "Why?"
Ken: "This is PDIMW."
Yush: "What's that?"
Ken: "Perfect Destruction in My Way. It's a move created by the second Destruction. It's extremely dangerous. Even at just 1% power, it can destroy an entire country."
Yush: "I understand."
Suddenly, Destruction's power surged even higher. His eyes locked onto Cloud, and mana swirled around him violently.
Destruction (shouting): "Perfect Destruction in My Wayyyyy!"
But before the attack could be unleashed, Yush teleported right into the middle of the battlefield. The entire Astral Union gasped in shock.
Mizu: "Why is he going out there?!"
Sayaka (Heal): "I know you're strong, but...you..."
Yush (thinking): Ken, can I use teleportation too?
Ken: Yes, Master. I'll set the coordinates. You just need to use your power.
Yush: Alright…Teleport!
Suddenly, Yush's heart pounded fiercely, pain spreading through his chest.
Yush (thinking): My heart...why does it hurt so much?
Out of nowhere, an elderly man appeared behind Yush, flying with the aid of jet-propelled shoes. His wild eyes glinted with madness.
Ken (alarmed): Master! That's...
Yush: "You...Madphyco!"
Madphyco chuckled darkly. "Not just me…she's here too."
Yush: "Who?!"
He looked down, and there on the battlefield, a shadowy figure emerged—a woman, shrouded in darkness.
To be continued…