The crumbling buildings around them stood like hollowed-out giants, their walls scarred from the destruction that had swept through the area. A few scattered remnants of shattered glass and bent metal littered the street, barely illuminated by the flickering lights of the emergency beacons. Among the wreckage, the top five heroes stood with unwavering determination, preparing for what was to come. And beside them, two unknown figures—Huroto and Levi—watched with dark amusement, their presence like a shadow cast over the battlefield.
Lilith, despite the pain from the previous encounter, stayed close, her eyes glinting with cold resolve. She couldn't afford to let this moment pass. As she watched Lira pace in thought, the young red-haired hero's focus was sharp, her mind working like a well-oiled machine.
Lira (thinking, focused):
Too many people… Too many variables. How do we get them out of here without casualties?
She turned her head slightly, meeting Dante's and Mira's eyes.
Lira (commanding, decisive):
"Dante, Mira—go. Evacuate the civilians. Seth and I will handle this."
Seth, his expression colder than ever, his eyes glowing faintly, barely acknowledged her command, but his voice was like a winter storm cutting through the tension in the air.
Seth (cold, detached):
"There's a kid over there. Get him."
He wasn't looking at Lira or anyone else. His focus was entirely on the two unknowns—especially Huroto, whose unsettling grin lingered in his mind. His fists clenched as he barely held back his fury.
Dante hesitated, his instincts battling with the cold, calculated rage that seemed to bleed off Seth. But Seth's voice, sharp and cold as a blade, cut through him like ice.
Seth (voice hard, like steel):
"Go."
Before Dante could speak, a voice broke the silence, a chilling presence that filled the air with tension.
Huroto (grinning, amused):
"Who said you could leave?"
Huroto lunged forward with a speed that blurred the air, his fist crackling with dark energy, aimed straight at Dante. But before the punch could land, Seth was already in motion, lightning flashing from his body, his hands raised to meet the attack with a thunderous clash.
Seth (low, deadly):
"Stay out of it."
With a blinding flash of light, Seth's fist collided with Huroto's, sending a shockwave through the air. The ground beneath their feet cracked as though the earth itself was protesting the violent clash.
Huroto was sent flying back, his body disintegrating halfway into the dust before reforming in a blink of an eye, the hole in his chest rapidly healing as if it had never existed. He let out a low chuckle, eyes gleaming with dark amusement.
Huroto (smiling, teasing):
"You're strong... I like you."
Before anyone could react, the other unknown figure spoke up, its voice tinged with annoyance.
Levi (commanding, sharp):
"Yo, Huroto. Stop playing around."
Huroto (grinning wider):
"Give me a second, will you, Levi?"
The two unknown figures stood side by side, their aura oppressive, as if the entire air around them was thick with their power. Lira looked between them, her grip tightening on her weapon.
Lira (commanding, narrowed eyes):
"Are you two—members of the Twelve?"
Huroto flashed a grin, his eyes glowing with an unsettling black light.
Huroto (smiling, nodding):
"Yep, nice to meet you. I'm ranked 11th, the Ghoul of the Night."
He stepped aside, gesturing to his companion.
Huroto (smiling wider, eyes glowing):
"And this is Levi, the Unread Demon, ranked 10th."
Levi's eyes flickered as his smirk softened into something more calculating. He cracked his knuckles, the air around him vibrating with raw energy.
Levi (calm, but dangerous):
"Don't worry. We'll make this quick."
Then, Huroto looked over at Lilith, his eyes twinkling with pride. He pointed at her with a mischievous grin.
Huroto (mockingly):
"That beautiful creature is my little sister, Lilith. She's not one of the Twelve yet... but she will be, one day. Just you wait."
Lilith's eyes gleamed, her fists clenched as she heard her brother's words. The rage bubbling inside her began to overflow, like a volcano about to erupt.
Huroto (smiling wider, eyes glowing black):
"Now... you touched my sister. You'll pay for that."
The atmosphere around them grew tense, crackling with barely-contained fury. Without warning, Lira and Yor moved into position, facing Huroto and Levi with their weapons ready
---
The battlefield was a desolate wasteland of broken buildings and shattered glass, the air thick with tension. Yor and Lira stood side by side, their eyes locked on the towering figure of Huroto, the demon they had to defeat. His smug grin never wavered, confident that the two heroes before him were no match.
Yor, the water-wielder, stood tall, her water-infused blade flickering in her hand, reflecting the dim light. Her stance was calm, precise, every movement like a flowing stream of power waiting to burst forth. Beside her, Lira was already gathering heat, her fiery aura blazing around her like a raging storm.
Yor (whispering, eyes focused):
"We can't hold back."
Lira (grinning, fiery resolve in her eyes):
"Wouldn't dream of it."
With a sudden flash of light, Lira unleashed a massive wave of flames, roaring towards Huroto. The fire was wild and uncontrolled, a storm of red and orange spiraling around her. She moved fluidly, twisting her body and directing the fire like an extension of herself. Huroto merely smirked, his hands raised as he let the flames swirl around him, seemingly unaffected.
Huroto (mocking):
"Is that all you have, little firecracker?"
Before he could finish his taunt, Yor was already in motion. She dashed forward with blinding speed, her water sword cutting through the air, each swing creating arcs of water that shimmered like silver blades. She aimed to strike Huroto's blind spots, fluidly moving like water over rocks, anticipating every one of his counterattacks.
But Huroto was fast. He dodged Yor's strike with a single sidestep, the water sword missing him by a hair's breadth. He retaliated with a swing of his fist, charged with dark energy. The punch collided with the ground, sending a shockwave that knocked Yor off balance. She gritted her teeth and leapt back just in time, barely avoiding the devastating hit.
Yor (grunting as she regained her stance):
"You're fast."
Lira, her hands now brimming with swirling flames, wasn't letting Huroto get away that easily. With a shout, she launched a barrage of fireballs, each one aimed precisely at his chest. The air grew hot as the flames shot toward him like a rainstorm of fire.
Huroto (smiling, raising a hand):
"Nice try."
With a flick of his wrist, Huroto created a shockwave of dark energy that blew the flames aside, leaving only smoke in its wake. He surged forward, his movements a blur of speed as he aimed a crushing blow at Lira. But Lira was already anticipating his attack. She rolled to the side just in time, her fiery energy flaring up around her like a protective shield.
Lira (laughing, voice dripping with excitement):
"You're gonna have to do better than that!"
She leapt into the air, her body surrounded by a massive orb of flame. The heat was unbearable, and the ground beneath her cracked from the intensity. She spun mid-air, sending a massive column of fire directly at Huroto, but he was already moving, his body blurring as he darted behind her, landing a brutal kick to her back, sending her crashing into the rubble.
Lira (gritting her teeth, struggling to get up):
"Dammit..."
But Yor was there to back her up. With an angry cry, she slashed her water blade toward Huroto, sending torrents of water spiraling around her like a vortex. The water sliced through the air with precision, aiming for Huroto's sides, but once again, he dodged with ease.
Huroto (laughing):
"You're persistent, I'll give you that."
He disappeared into the shadows, his form blending with the environment. Before Yor could react, Huroto appeared right behind her, his hand swinging for her head. But at the last second, Yor ducked and flipped, slamming her water blade into the ground to propel herself into the air, narrowly avoiding the deadly blow.
Yor (gritting her teeth):
"You think you can outpace me?"
But Huroto was a demon. His grin was maddening as he lunged again, his dark energy coating his hands like claws. He slashed toward Yor, each attack faster and more brutal than the last.
Meanwhile, Lira, recovering from the earlier blow, summoned all her strength. Her body was glowing with fire, the air around her shimmering from the intense heat. She wasn't giving up, not while Yor was still fighting. Lira rushed at Huroto, her flames coiling around her like a fiery serpent. She wasn't going to let him take down her partner.
Lira (shouting):
"You're gonna burn!"
With a fiery kick, Lira sent an explosion of flame right at Huroto. He tried to block it with his arm, but the flames scorched his skin. He staggered back for the first time, his grin faltering for a moment.
Huroto (snarling):
"You'll regret that."
The battle between Yor and Lira versus Huroto raged on, each hero putting everything they had into the fight. Lira's flames surged around her as she launched fiery projectiles toward Huroto, but with unnatural speed, he dodged each attack with ease. His dark energy surrounded him like a shield, keeping him mostly untouched by the flames.
Yor, wielding her water sword, attempted to support Lira, sending powerful waves of water to drown Huroto's movements. But Huroto seemed unfazed, simply swatting the water away with a casual flick of his hand.
Yor (gritting her teeth):
"Damn you!"
Huroto responded with a cruel smirk. His eyes glowed with an eerie intensity as he stepped closer, seemingly toying with them.
Then, in a flash of movement, Huroto launched himself toward Lira. She had just released a powerful flame, but Huroto was faster. He appeared in front of her in the blink of an eye and struck her with a force that sent her flying. The blow sent shockwaves through the ground, and Lira landed hard, rolling several meters before coming to a stop in a small crater. The flames around her extinguished as her body went limp.
Yor (shouting):
"No!"
But there was no time to mourn as Huroto turned his attention to her, his eyes cold and calculating. With lightning speed, he was in front of her again, this time grabbing her by the throat with one hand and lifting her off the ground.
Yor struggled, gasping for air, but Huroto's grip was unyielding. She tried to summon water to counterattack, but her vision blurred as he tightened his grip further.
Huroto (mocking):
"You put up a decent fight, but it's over now."
His voice was cold, and Yor could feel the darkness closing in. She couldn't breathe. She couldn't move. She could only struggle weakly in his grasp.
But even as her vision began to fade, a sudden burst of water surged around Yor's body. It was enough to break Huroto's grip, and she dropped to the ground, gasping for air.
Yor (weakly):
"Not... done yet…"
Huroto smirked, stepping back to give her a moment to recover. But he wasn't about to let her off that easy. He raised his foot, preparing to strike.
That was when Lira, though barely conscious, managed to push herself up. Her body was covered in bruises and burns, but her fiery spirit wasn't ready to die just yet.
Lira (strained):
"Get away from her!"
With a roar, Lira summoned a torrent of flames, her power flaring up as she rushed toward Huroto. She moved with desperate energy, but once again, Huroto dodged with ease, his movements almost as if he were a shadow.
Huroto (mocking):
"Is that all you have?"
Before Lira could react, Huroto struck again, sending her flying into the air with a brutal punch. She slammed back into the ground, unable to even lift her head. Yor watched, helpless, as Lira crumpled to the ground, unconscious.
Yor, weakened and barely conscious herself, reached for her fallen sword but was unable to move. Her body refused to obey her as the reality of their defeat sank in.
Yor (whispering):
"Lira... please... wake up..."
The air was thick with the smell of smoke and electricity as Seth and Levi collided in a furious battle. Lightning tore through the sky, crackling around Seth's fists and feet as he zipped around his opponent with blinding speed. Each of his attacks was a thunderous strike of power, his body practically a living storm, but Levi was no ordinary opponent. His body regenerated too fast, his defenses too strong, and he was practically unfazed by Seth's relentless assault.
Seth (gritting his teeth, breathing heavily):
"You're... you're tough, but not tough enough!"
Levi (smirking):
"You're fast, kid. I'll give you that. But you're burning out."
The Demon of Regeneration moved fluidly, his wounds healing almost instantly. As Seth's strikes began to slow, Levi capitalized, landing a devastating blow to Seth's midsection. The force knocked the wind out of him, but Seth quickly retaliated, sending a barrage of lightning strikes aimed at Levi's chest.
Levi simply laughed, dodging effortlessly and landing a swift punch to Seth's jaw, sending him sprawling backward. Seth grunted in pain, but the storm in his heart only grew fiercer.
Seth (growling, voice strained):
"Is that all you got, demon?!"
Meanwhile, in the background, Huroto observed the fight with a sadistic grin. He wasn't about to let Seth catch a break. Seth managed to land a couple of good hits on Levi, but his energy was quickly draining, and Huroto was ready to pounce. With terrifying speed, he appeared in front of Seth, delivering a vicious knee to his chest, sending the hero flying backward, crashing into a pile of rubble.
Huroto (mocking):
"You can't even protect yourself, weakling. And you think you can stand against us?"
Seth, still reeling, forced himself to his feet. His vision blurred, his chest heaving with exhaustion, but his anger burned like an inferno. He wasn't going to let these demons win. Not after all this. Not after everything they'd put him through.
Seth (shouting, lightning sparking uncontrollably):
"I won't let you hurt them! Not anymore!"
But before Seth could unleash his next attack, Lilith, the Demon of Pride, stepped forward with an air of haughty superiority. She observed the hero's struggle and laughed coldly, her voice dripping with contempt.
Lilith (mocking, her smile sinister):
"Now, you lonely human, know your place in the dirt."
Without hesitation, she moved in on Lira, who was still recovering from the previous blows. With a single, fluid motion, she sent a devastating kick to Lira's chest, knocking her clean off her feet. Lira gasped for breath, unable to move as she hit the ground hard, unconscious from the force of the attack.
Seth (his face twisted in fury):
"No!"
The fury inside him boiled over as his body crackled with intense electricity. His rage, his frustration, the pain of watching his friends be hurt—it all mixed into an inferno of power. Seth released a massive lightning storm, a chaotic barrage of arcs that tore through the ground and the air, aiming to obliterate the demons before him.
But Levi, with his quick regeneration and endurance, danced through the storm, effortlessly dodging Seth's attacks. He struck back with bone-crushing force, delivering a blow to Seth's side, leaving him gasping for breath.
Seth (voice raw with anger, barely hanging on):
"Damn it... I'll never... let you... win!"
Huroto (mocking, looking down at Seth):
"You're still standing, huh? Impressive... for a human. But you're nothing more than an insect to us."
Seth gritted his teeth, struggling to stay on his feet, but his body was slowing down. His lightning was flickering, his attacks losing their strength.
Levi (smiling, cold and confident):
"You're weak. I've been holding back, letting you tire yourself out."
The words cut deeper than any of Levi's blows. Seth could feel his strength draining away. He glanced to the side, seeing Yor, barely conscious, bloodied and bruised, and Lira, still unconscious from the blow Lilith delivered. His heart screamed for them, but his body was giving out.
Seth (gritting his teeth, desperate):
"Not... like this...!"
As Levi prepared to deliver the final blow, a glimmer of hope sparked. Huroto raised his hand, ready to end it all, and the two demons stepped forward, knowing their victory was near. Seth could barely move, his body trembling as he looked at his friends. His vision blurred, and a tear welled in his eye for the ones he couldn't save.
Seth (barely whispering):
"Someone... please... save them."
And just as Levi's hand came down for the killing blow, and Huroto readied his devastating strike, something happened. The very earth seemed to quake, a sharp, sudden force exploding from the ground, and out of the dust and debris, a figure appeared.
Renjiro, the Blind Swordsman, stepped into the fray, his presence like a quiet storm. His footsteps were calm, but the air around him vibrated with a palpable, suffocating pressure. He was unhurried, his face stoic, but there was something in his gaze—cold, calculating, and full of intent.
Renjiro (looking at Seth, his expression hardening as he spoke with quiet fury):
"Sorry I'm late."
He stood between Seth and the two demons, and his aura seemed to drain the very air of tension, a foreboding silence filling the space. His hand rested lightly on the hilt of his sword, but it was clear—he was no ordinary warrior. The demons stiffened, their earlier confidence faltering as they eyed this new threat.
Renjiro (turning his cold, angry gaze on Huroto and Levi):
"I'm done watching you torment innocent people. It's time for you to pay."
---
Renjiro appeared in front of them, standing still, his presence suffocating. Even though he was blind, his cold, emotionless gaze made it seem like he could see everything.
Renjiro (his voice sharp and commanding):
"You demons. I'm going to ask you questions, and you will answer them."
Levi (snarling, stepping forward):
"Who the hell do you think you are, you puny human?"
Lilith (mocking, sneering at him):
"How dare a human speak to us like that?"
Huroto, however, was silent. His instincts screamed at him—run. Unlike Seth or the other heroes who radiated overwhelming pressure, Renjiro was different. He wasn't loud. He wasn't trying to intimidate them. Yet, deep down, Huroto's body knew… this man was someone they could not handle.
Levi didn't sense it. He was too arrogant. He reached out and grabbed Renjiro's shoulder, trying to shove him.
Levi (grinning):
"Tch! You're nothing but—"
But Renjiro didn't budge. Instead, his hand shot out, gripping Levi's shoulder like a vice.
Renjiro (coldly, tightening his grip):
"How many?"
Levi (confused, gritting his teeth):
"What?"
Renjiro (his voice unwavering, pressing down harder):
"How many lives have you taken?"
Levi winced, but before he could answer, Renjiro's grip tightened painfully.
Renjiro (his tone dark, emotionless):
"How many parents have you made weep?"
Levi struggled, trying to break free, but Renjiro's strength was absolute.
Renjiro (his head tilting slightly, his blind eyes glowing red):
"How many children have you made orphans?"
Levi was terrified. He couldn't speak. Couldn't breathe. He tried to answer, but his voice failed him.
Renjiro sighed, his face showing no emotion.
Renjiro (quietly, as if Levi was nothing but an insect):
"You're useless."
Before Levi could react—shing!
Everything spun. The moon. The sky. The world turned upside down. No…
His vision blurred. He blinked—then he saw it.
His body. Headless. Blood gushing.
Levi tried to scream, but he couldn't.
He was dead.
---
Huroto and his sister saw everything. Fear gripped them. Without hesitation, Huroto grabbed his sister and ran.
Sister (confused, yelling as they fled):
"Why are we running?!"
Huroto didn't answer. His legs moved on their own, faster than ever before. He didn't care about pride. He didn't care about anything but escaping.
"We are too far now… He can't catch up."
Huroto stopped, panting, finally putting his sister down. He kneeled, exhausted.
Sister (yelling at him, frustrated)
But he ignored her. She was safe.
Then—
That presence.
That suffocating aura.
Huroto turned his head slowly—Renjiro was right beside him.
Huroto (frozen, unable to breathe, unable to move)
Renjiro (calmly, placing a hand on his head):
"You will answer my questions. Ok?"
---
Renjiro just looked at Huroto, who was frozen in shock. They both stood still, staring at each other. Even though Renjiro couldn't see, he could feel Huroto's fear. It was thick in the air, suffocating.
Renjiro (coldly, his voice sharp like a blade):
"Now, you will answer me."
Huroto remained silent, his body trembling.
Renjiro (tilting his head slightly, voice void of emotion):
"Well… if you don't—she will."
Renjiro's head turned toward Lilith. The glow of the moon shone through the dark forest, casting eerie light over Renjiro's form. Lilith, despite her power, took a step back. She could feel it—death. A force beyond comprehension stood before her.
Huroto (his voice shaky, barely able to speak):
"O-okay! I-I will answer your question."
Renjiro (simply, nodding):
"Good."
He looked back at Huroto, his expression unreadable.
Renjiro (his voice cutting through the silence like ice):
"Where is your queen? That wicked woman?"
Huroto (his breathing uneven, sweat dripping down his forehead):
"I… I-I don't know!"
Renjiro's fingers twitched slightly, his body language unreadable.
Renjiro (quietly, with an ominous edge):
"If you don't want to talk, then…" (his gaze shifts back to Lilith, a killing intent radiating from him) "…she can."
Lilith's breath hitched. Huroto's entire body tensed. He suddenly fell to his knees, his forehead nearly touching the dirt.
Huroto (desperate, pleading):
"I swear! I swear I don't know! I've never met her! Only the top Dark Knights know her whereabouts! I swear!"
He was sweating, his heart pounding against his ribs like a drum of war. Renjiro remained silent, his unreadable gaze locked on Huroto. After a long, suffocating pause, he finally spoke.
Renjiro (softly, yet chillingly final):
"Well… I guess it's time to say goodbye."
Huroto (panic rising, voice breaking):
"P-please… spare my sister!"
Renjiro slowly turned his head toward him, expression unchanging.
Renjiro (flatly, as if bored):
"Why should I?"
Huroto looked up, struggling for words. His hands trembled as he clenched them into fists.
Renjiro (his tone deep, pressing like a weight on Huroto's soul):
"Did you spare anyone when they begged?"
Huroto flinched.
Renjiro (continuing, unwavering):
"Did you care for the lives you took? Lives that were once full of joy… before you ended them?"
Huroto couldn't respond. He had no excuse, no argument. He had no right to beg for mercy. And yet…
Huroto (voice shaking, desperate):
"She's just a kid! 14 years old! She didn't know any better! I'm an adult! I knew what was right and what was wrong! Punish me, not her!"
For a brief second, Renjiro didn't say anything.
Then—
—shing!—
A sound too fast to comprehend.
Huroto looked at his sister.
But something was wrong.
Her head… wasn't there.
It was on the ground.
Staring at him.
Huroto (eyes wide, frozen in horror)
He couldn't scream.
He couldn't move.
Then—
—shing!—
His vision spun. The sky twisted. The ground disappeared. The last thing he saw… was the moon.
Then, nothing.
Renjiro (softly, emotionless, as the bodies hit the ground):
"You can both go to hell together."