A DIVINE FOOL

Chapter 5: "The First Steps of Power"

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A Restless Night

Yuki stumbled through the crumbling streets of the city, his mind racing. The encounter with the Overseer had left him shaken, and the weight of his new reality pressed down heavily on his shoulders. The world seemed impossibly vast now, and the forces moving against him were incomprehensibly powerful. For the first time in his life, Yuki felt truly small.

Buzzzy hovered beside him, its little mechanical wings glowing faintly in the darkness. "Yuki, you need to rest. Your body isn't used to channeling that kind of energy. You'll collapse if you keep pushing yourself like this."

Yuki nodded weakly, barely hearing the drone. His legs felt like jelly, and his chest ached where the artifact pulsed faintly beneath his skin. He had spent hours wandering aimlessly, trying to process everything that had happened, but it was no use. The Overseer's words haunted him.

Finally, he found a quiet alleyway and sank down onto the cold, hard ground. The faint glow of neon lights illuminated his face as he leaned back against a wall, his head tilted toward the sky. "Buzzzy… why me? Why would the artifact pick someone like me?"

The little drone hesitated before replying. "I don't know, Yuki. The artifact's will is beyond even my programming. But I do know this: you survived when you shouldn't have. That means something. Whether you like it or not, you're part of something much bigger now."

Yuki sighed, running a hand through his messy hair. "I didn't ask for this. I don't want to be anyone's chosen anything. I just want to go back to my normal life."

Buzzzy didn't respond. For a long moment, the two of them sat in silence, the hum of the city around them the only sound. Eventually, Yuki's exhaustion caught up with him, and he drifted into a fitful sleep, his dreams filled with swirling lights and distant, echoing voices.

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Morning Brings Trouble

When Yuki awoke, the sun was rising, casting a pale light over the city. He rubbed his eyes groggily and sat up, his body sore from sleeping on the ground. Buzzzy was hovering nearby, scanning the surroundings with its sensors.

"Morning already?" Yuki muttered, stretching. "Feels like I barely slept."

Buzzzy turned to him, its tone serious. "We need to move, Yuki. The Overseer might be gone for now, but that doesn't mean we're safe. And the city is waking up. Someone's bound to recognize you after what happened in the arena."

Yuki groaned, getting to his feet. "Great. Another day of running for my life. Just what I always wanted."

The two of them set off, weaving through the narrow streets and alleyways. The city was bustling with activity, cultivators of all levels moving about with purpose. High-tech stalls lined the streets, selling everything from glowing elixirs to advanced spirit weapons. Yuki couldn't help but gawk at the strange and futuristic world around him.

But it wasn't long before trouble found him.

"Hey! You!" a voice shouted from behind them.

Yuki froze, turning slowly to see a group of armored cultivators marching toward him. Their uniforms were sleek and polished, emblazoned with the emblem of the Celestial Guardians—a powerful faction known for their ruthless enforcement of the gods' will.

Buzzzy's wings whirred anxiously. "Yuki, we need to get out of here! These guys are bad news."

The lead Guardian stepped forward, his expression cold and stern. "Yuki Fushiwara, by the decree of the Celestial Guardians, you are under arrest for possessing a forbidden artifact. Surrender now, and your death will be quick."

Yuki's heart pounded in his chest. "Wait, what? I didn't do anything! I didn't ask for this artifact—it just… it just appeared!"

The Guardian's eyes narrowed. "Ignorance is no excuse. The artifact is a threat to the balance of the realms, and you will not be allowed to keep it."

Before Yuki could respond, the Guardians drew their weapons—sleek, glowing blades crackling with energy. Yuki took a step back, panic rising in his chest.

"Buzzzy, what do I do?!" he whispered frantically.

The little drone zipped around him, scanning the surroundings. "Run! You can't fight them, Yuki. Not yet!"

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The Chase

Yuki turned on his heel and bolted, his heart racing as the Guardians shouted behind him. The sound of their boots echoed through the streets as they gave chase, their energy weapons slicing through the air.

"Stop him!" one of them shouted, and Yuki heard the hum of a projectile weapon charging up.

He ducked just in time as a glowing bolt of energy whizzed past his head, slamming into a wall and exploding in a shower of sparks. "Are you kidding me?!" Yuki yelled, his legs pumping furiously as he weaved through the crowded streets.

Buzzzy flew ahead of him, scanning for an escape route. "This way, Yuki! Down that alley!"

Yuki followed the drone's lead, darting into a narrow alleyway and narrowly avoiding another blast of energy. The Guardians were relentless, their shouts growing louder as they closed the distance.

"This is insane!" Yuki panted. "Why can't they just leave me alone?"

"They won't stop until they have the artifact," Buzzzy replied grimly. "You're their top priority now, Yuki. Get used to it."

The alleyway opened up into a bustling market square, filled with merchants and shoppers. Yuki pushed his way through the crowd, apologizing as he went. The Guardians weren't far behind, their weapons drawn and their eyes locked on him.

Suddenly, a merchant stepped in front of him, blocking his path. "Hey, watch where you're going!" the man snapped.

"I'm sorry!" Yuki said, trying to sidestep him.

But as the merchant raised his hand to grab him, a loose plank from his stall fell and hit him square on the head, knocking him out cold. Yuki blinked in surprise, then shook his head. "Guess my luck hasn't run out yet."

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A Hidden Ally

Yuki's escape led him to an old, abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of the city. He stumbled inside, gasping for breath, and collapsed against the wall. Buzzzy landed beside him, its sensors whirring as it scanned the area.

"I think we lost them," the drone said. "But we can't stay here for long. They'll be looking for you."

Before Yuki could respond, a voice echoed through the warehouse.

"You've made quite a mess, kid."

Yuki jumped, his heart pounding, and turned to see a figure stepping out of the shadows. It was a young woman, her sleek black armor glinting in the dim light. She had sharp features and piercing green eyes, and her presence radiated confidence and strength.

"Who are you?" Yuki asked, his voice wary.

The woman smirked. "Name's Kaida. I've been watching you, Yuki Fushiwara. You've got something pretty valuable there, and I think we can help each other."

Yuki frowned, his exhaustion making it hard to think clearly. "Why should I trust you?"

Kaida raised an eyebrow. "You don't have much of a choice, do you? The Guardians want you dead, the Overseers are hunting you, and you have no idea how to use that artifact. You need someone who knows how this world works."

Buzzzy buzzed cautiously around Yuki's head. "She has a point, Yuki. You can't survive on your own."

Yuki hesitated, then sighed. "Fine. But if you're lying to me…"

Kaida grinned. "Relax, kid. You'll thank me later."

And with that, Yuki's journey took another unexpected turn, as he found himself in the company of a mysterious ally with her own hidden agenda.

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Cliffhanger:

As Kaida led Yuki deeper into the warehouse, she turned to him with a serious expression. "If you want to survive, the first thing you need to learn is how to fight. And lucky for you, I know just where to start."