Chapter 11: Death From a Loved One
Scene 1: The Fall of a Hero
Nero's blood pooled beneath him, the Moonlight Dagger embedded in his chest. Ayumi stood above him, her blade trembling.
"Traitor," she hissed, tears mingling with the rain. "You destroyed everything."
Nero's lips moved soundlessly, his throat torn by screams. She doesn't know. She doesn't see.
Arata watched, grinning, as Nero teetered on the cliff's edge above the Eye of Destruction. "A fitting end for the Namakami."
Ayumi shoved. Nero fell.
Scene 2: The Twins' Bargain
In the void, two figures awaited—mirror images of Nero, one cloaked in starlight, the other in shadow.
Whity: "Sacrifice yourself, and we'll revive your friends."
Darky: "Or let them die. Your choice."
Nero's soul flickered. Mei. Mother. Ledger. He stepped toward the abyss.
Flashback:
Eri's voice: "You saw me as a person. Not a monster."
Nero halted. "No. I fight."
The Twins laughed. "Proven worthy."
Scene 3: Revival and Ruin
Nero awoke mid-fall, blue flames mending his body. Arata's smirk vanished as Nero shattered his arm.
"You're a cockroach," Arata spat, regenerating. "But even roaches burn."
Nero's strikes sealed Arata's powers—until Ayumi's dagger struck again.
Ayumi: "For Aryavarta!"
Nero's flames guttered. He plummeted into the Eye.
Scene 4: The Soul's Price
Eri knelt beside Nero's broken form in the demon realm. Her grandfather, a grizzled warlock, shook his head.
"His soul's half-gone. Only fusion remains."
Eri gripped Nero's hand. "Use mine."
The ritual tore her soul, merging it with Nero's. Her body dissolved—sacrifice complete.
Grandpa: "You'll share one life. One body."
Nero stirred, Eri's voice echoing in his mind: "Live. For both of us."
Scene 5: Aftermath
Aryavarta:
Yoshito & Keisuke buried Ledger, vowing vengeance.
Sayuri, enraged, deserted the kingdom, declaring war on the crown.
Ayumi unraveled, haunted by Arata's lies.
The Eye:
Nero rose, eyes twin-flames—blue and violet. The Twins' thrones now held three.
Whity: "The Gates stir. Your war begins."
Chapter End: A New Dawn
In the demon village, Nero opened Eri's journal—her memories, his now.
Eri's Voice: "Thank you for seeing me."
Above, portals crackled. Aryavarta's shadows deepened.