The night burned.
The same night Haruka cut his way through the undead, somewhere else in the city… the fire was winning.
A building groaned as its metal spine snapped, spilling dust and ash into the streets. Inside, bodies lay scattered—some burned, some fresh, all still.
Light footsteps echoed through a hallway, fast and panicked. A soldier in black armor rounded the corner, dragging a wounded man by the collar. The man begged, coughing smoke, until the soldier stopped—
—because another sound was coming.
Heavy footsteps.
Each one slow. Unhurried. Like the owner didn't need to run—because no one escaped him.
From the shadows, a massive figure emerged. Not the largest man alive, but wide-shouldered, solid, his presence filling the hallway like a wall closing in. The firelight rolled over the faint scars on his arms and the dull shine of an axe resting at his side.
He stopped over the survivor, voice deep and steady.
"Where is Therma?"
"They— they got out," the man stammered. "But I can take you to them. I swear."
The giant glanced at the soldier.
"He'll do. Bring him."
---
They dragged the survivor outside. The night air was cooler, but it carried the stink of burning flesh. Parked in the street was a dark purple military truck, its paint catching flashes of firelight.
The back door opened.
Boots hit the ground.
Dragging behind them was an axe with a crimson-stained edge, scraping through the grass with a hungry metallic hiss. The figure stepped forward, mask half-shrouded in shadow, eyes glowing faintly behind the lenses.
"Where is he?" the voice asked—distorted, metallic.
The survivor's breath shook.
"I think they survived. Him… the others… I'll even join Obsidian if I have to. Just—just spare me. Have mercy!"
Silence.
The axe lifted.
A clean, wet crack split the air as the man's head fell open, blood painting the dirt. The masked figure raised the weapon again, revealing himself fully—red-braided hair, black and crimson armor, breathing heavy through a slightly damaged, high-tech mask.
Raito.
"Well?" a woman's voice called from the truck. "Do we move?"
Raito rested the axe on his shoulder, watching the body bleed out.
"I know someone at the market. They'll tell me where he is."
The giant behind him barked, "Fall out!"
Engines growled to life, the convoy disappearing into the burning night.