The man with the mask (final part)

Time passed, and the Lieutenant was soon called to the front lines, summoned to face a growing conflict that threatened the peace. As he arrived at the battlefield, the chaos was more intense than ever, but in the midst of it all, a familiar figure appeared on the horizon—Kamenrai.

He watched, transfixed, as the masked warrior fought with grace and lethal precision, taking down enemies with ease. There was something undeniably familiar about Kamenrai’s movements, the way they flowed so effortlessly. Could it be?

The battle raged on, and when it finally ended, the dust began to settle. The Lieutenant pushed through the battlefield, making his way toward Kamenrai, the name on everyone’s lips. But as he approached, Kamenrai noticed him and quickly began to turn away, trying to slip into the crowd.

Kenji’s heart pounded. There was no mistaking the hesitation in Kamenrai’s movements.

“Kamenrai!” he called out, his voice carrying over the noise of the battlefield.

Kamenrai froze. The mask-wearing figure slowly turned around, and for a moment, they stood facing each other in silence, the weight of the moment heavy in the air.

The Lieutenant's heart raced as he took a step closer, his breath catching. And then, without another word, Kamenrai hesitated before slowly pulling off the mask.

The face beneath it was one he hadn’t seen in years—his long-lost daughter, Aruna. His breath caught in his throat. "Aruna...?" he whispered, disbelief written across his face.

She stood there for a long moment, her expression unreadable. Finally, she spoke, her voice steady but tinged with something unspoken. She gave a small, almost bitter smile. "Took you long enough, Father."

He reached out, trying to process what he was seeing. “But… how? I thought you were gone…”

"I was never gone," she said softly, but firmly. "I had to leave. I couldn’t stay behind, I just couldn't."

Her eyes met his, and she stepped forward, the challenge in her words clear. “I had to fight for what I believed in, for the people who needed me. But the world doesn’t think a woman like me can be a warrior."

Aruna paused, locking eyes with him. “Still think a woman can’t be a warrior, Father?"

The Lieutenant stood frozen, the words echoing in his mind. And in that moment, he finally understood.

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Thanks for reading! Lemme know what you guys think about the series.

Also, if you haven't read the first three parts, be sure to check them out on my profile!