Chương 32: Chapter IX Verse II — Conclusion of the Clash & the Advent of the Sovereign

A deafening gong signaled the end of the match and of Galan's descent into his past.

"And the victor of this year's Oni Fighting Tournament is… Shuten Dooji!" the announcer roared. Two crow ten-gu flew onto the stage, presenting the champion with a massive golden trophy. Shuten Dooji lifted it high, basking in the applause. Ootake Maru, defeated but dignified, bowed.

"I'll beat you next year," the blue oni muttered.

"Hah! Might as well tell one of your disciples to fight me," Shuten Dooji scoffed.

"You'll have a better chance that way." As Ootake Maru exited, Shuten Dooji lowered the trophy and crossed his massive arms.

"Yo! Listen up!" he shouted in crass Japanese. The crowd quieted.

"Four years in a row. Four years I've smashed whoever they put in front of me. Honestly... it's getting boring." Murmurs rippled through the hall.

"Ootake Maru is tough, sure. Good warm-up. But is that it? Is this the best Japan has for Shuten Dooji?" He cracked his knuckles.

"So here's the deal! I'm bored, and I'm willing to take my next opponent to my party if they survive a fight against me! Any of you lot think you've got what it takes? Step up! Let's have some real fun before this place puts me to sleep!" He handed the trophy to the two bewildered ten-gu.

"Take this to my place. I'll be here a while." Meanwhile, in the observation booth behind the suspended seats, the announcer and most of her coworkers were panicking.

"Just tell him to leave," a coworker groaned.

"I want to go home already." The announcer sighed and activated her wand.

"Honored victor, please exit the stage. We are closing the venue."

"What?! But there's nothing else on the schedule!" Shuten Dooji roared.

"Don't these people deserve a worthy fight?!"

"Shuten Dooji, please leave voluntarily before I ask the guards to escort you."

"Oh, come on! Does no one dare to challenge the mightiest oni in Japan?!" Galan smirked. Time for the next phase of the investigation, he thought before raising his hand.

"I would!" Gasps replaced the murmurs.

"Are you sure, Lord Oda?" Masahiko asked, concerned.

"Yeah," Galan said, his voice carrying through the hall.

"I'm not going to miss a rare opportunity to fight an oni! Besides, let's consider this an after-show party!" After he left his seat, he waved to Masahiko as he walked past the pillars.

"Goodbye, Masahiko." Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions. Masahiko waved back, perplexed.

"Goodbye, Lord Oda." Galan stripped off his flower crown and cloak. He sprinted across the balcony, gathering speed, then leaped from the railing.

"Awesome!" someone shouted.

"Go get 'im!" Galan landed on the front center of the stage in a perfect roll, coming to a stop ahead of the champion.

"Now that is what I call an entrance!" Shuten Dooji said while presenting Galan. The guards rushed the stage, but Galan snapped his fingers, causing the stage's shield to reactivate, bouncing them back. The crowd cheered, thinking it was part of the show.

"Shuten Dooji, dear guest, please exit the premises!" the announcer stammered.

"Nonsense!" Galan yelled.

"The real fight is about to begin!" Up in the booth, an archangel stepped into the room." It'll be fine," he projected to the guards and Galan." Let him have his fun."

"Thanks, Boss Man," Galan sent as the guards retreated.

"Make it quick, Gal."

"Alright, Boss Man! I'll get this over quick!" Galan shouted to the booth with a thumbs-up. Shuten Dooji eyed him.

"Tell me, traveler... what is your name?"

"I'm known by many names," Galan declared, his voice booming. He switched to Godlang.

"My true name is Galan Andre Von Athalon!" The divine section of the crowd cheered in recognition, with one of them asking, "No way, he's taking over Japan now?!" He switched to Latin.

"Those from the Empire know me as Placidus Amnis!" The Romans roared, chanting, "Our Eternal Emperor is bringing the glory of Rome to Japan!" He switched to Greek.

"While the beastfolk know me as Potamos Galenaios." The beastfolk gasped, whispering, "The leader of the Peacekeepers of the Divine Hearth? Is he here to bring peace to the land of the yookai?" He switched to Chinese.

"I'm also known in China by the name An Chuan!" Silence. Then, a cough. Wait, very few people know my Chinese name, he realized.

"Uhh, the Child Judge of Fates? Anyone know him?" A martial artist stood up.

"Oh, I do! My master sometimes talks about him! Said he was responsible for... for destroying empires around Yunnan!" Unease rippled through the Chinese section. They whispered dark tales of emperors decapitated in their sleep, often accompanied by the ceaseless dreams about a child in a black-and-white mask before each incident.

"Well, not intentionally," Galan muttered, rubbing the back of his head.

"But thanks for knowing me." He turned back to Shuten Dooji, switching to Japanese.

"In this land, I shall be known... as Odagawa!" He pointed a finger at the champion.

"And this name's first mark in Japan's history will be for beating its strongest oni!"

"Hah! You sure have the spirit of a wannabe champion," Shuten Dooji laughed.

"But do you have the strength?"

"Let me show you." Galan raised a hand and snapped his fingers. The scoreboards flickered back to life, showing that Shuten Dooji had the full 400 layers. Meanwhile, Galan has 28... then two more rapidly fluctuating numbers.

"Gal, limit your shield," the archangel notified Galan.

"Right. Thanks." The number became locked at 2, 600.

"Well, audience? What numbers do you see?"

"It's 2600 for you and 400 for Shuten Dooji!" someone yelled. Shuten Dooji's eyes widened.

"Finally! A worthy fight!"

"Heh. Announcer!" Galan shouted.

"Do your work!" The announcer took a deep breath.

"Ladies and gentlemen, prepare yourself for the..."

"Special after-show fight," Galan prompted.

"The special after-show fight!" The crowd exploded as she continued.

"Ahead of you stand two mighty beings. On the left, a god hailing from Athalon. On the right, the four-year reigning champion, Shuten Dooji!" The two fighters readied themselves.

"Will the oni stand his own against the might of heaven?" the announcer continued.

"Or will he succumb in an instant? The answer will be revealed to us in three…" The audience followed her countdown with bated breath, with some shouting the numbers with her.

"Two…" The fighters crouch lower, fists clenched, eyes alight with fierce determination.

"One…" Galan and Shuten Dooji's muscles were fully coiled.

"Fight!"