The van stopped at a small camp on the outskirts of what was called, Red Birk Woods. Derived from the uncommon red colored trees that made up the forest.
Kayui still hadn't gotten the hang of his new cycling but, regardless he knew it would be something extraordinary in the near future.
"Straight shot east from here," Kage said as they unloaded the van.
"I won't slow down for either of you," Kayui said tightening the straps on his backpack.
"Confident for an 8th grader," Kage said flatly before dashing off.
Kayui didn't hesitate to burst after him.
*****
Kage reached the outskirts of the village first.
It was the more simplistic than Kayui had imagined. The entire town was only around 10 blocks across and made from black stone brick that had been scorched by time.
"We just finna take out the whole village?" Kayui asked, crouched low in the underbrush.
The three hid deep beneath trees, far away from the village as none of them had mastered concealing their altitude completely yet.
"Yeah," Kage said. "I don't see anyone above D-rank out here. Minimum casualties. Incapacitate anyone you can find — no exceptions."
By now, the sun hung high in the late noon sky. Bright or not it wouldn't make a difference. Once your altitude was it was nearly impossible to lose unless you possessed a concealing technique — and nearly flawless control.
"I'll take the fodder." Modoru finally spoke "Mark that big building in the back. You'll find the target there."
"Okay, Kayui the target is unassuming. He looks like nothing special his only outstanding feature is his altitude-infused ring. If you see a gold ring that's dense in altitude he's our target. That's all the info we have."
"Noted," Kayui said.
He shot off before the other could say much more, drawing his blade.
'No casualties.'
Behind him buildings crumbled and screams erupted. He turned just in time to see half the village swallowed by black roots.
"Hmph. Pure brute strength" he muttered.
As he leaped from rooftop to rooftop more warriors emerged — reacting to the chaos only to be dragged under by spreading shadows.
Impressive, he thought. But only fodder would fall for such tricks though.
His destination loomed ahead: a dark stone church, probably dedicated to a lesser deity— one who had once walked the earth as human. Civilizations like this always formed around them. He didn't care. These civilizations were usually led by such gods. He didn't care one bit.
He launched himself from a roof, spinning mid-air, and tore the church's ceiling with a sharp snap of his leg.
The moment he landed the falling debris, he condensed his perception. Four D-Rank Two C. One B.
The strong cores glimmered like beacons — clear giveaways.
The ambush was clean
Two were directly below him — one D, one C. The D-rank reacted first, gathering blue fire in his mouth. The C-rank fell back, flashing a tattoo of a black crow on his hand.
Kayui didn't plan on finding out what that meant
It was his turn to show off his new strength —his breakthrough.
Rather than strengthening his body, he let his aura vaporize. He let his aura not live as something separate but as an extension of his will.
In this tangible form, his aura reacted completely to where his intent lay. By focusing his intent, his aura could do plenty of things. As he focused his aura propelled his body forward in a quick sharp burst.
In an instant, the hilt of his katana cracked against the C's forehead. He dropped.
A condensed beam of blue fire shot to where Kayui was a second ago. He split his stance and dropped low to the ground.
His spirit responded to his mind as a wall of invisible energy met the flame. The forced spammed against him but his aura kept him glued to his pivot.
He willed it down to his legs, then released the pressure. The blast propelled him forward like a spring.
He spun into a roundhouse heel kick, stringing the flame user square in the neck — a clean knockout.
Footsteps thundered towards him. His altitude channels were burned. His body was devouring its own reserves
Still, he didn't panic. Not yet.
He took a deep breath and shut out his condensed perception. He knew what was coming next.
A wave of altitude surged through the room like a storm front.
His eyes flashed over the two incapacitated fighters.
'Is this what being a warrior feels like?'
"You three stay back, there are three of them. Take out the shadow user, he seems like the biggest threat."
A figure burst through the doorway , eyes locking onto Kayui immediately. On his left hand a radiant gold ring.
His altitude flared — three golden great swords materialized above his head like heavenly halos.
He great swords gleamed threatening judgment — Kayui stood tall, his stern expression finally broke into a smirk.