Three days have passed since the Nocturnals came to the village. The village began their day optimistic of their future, starting with an annual festival held every year since the terrible downfall of the world. It was meant to celebrate survival. Bright banners fluttered in the warm breeze, their vivid colors stretching across the main square where the annual festival was already in full swing. The aroma of grilled skewers, sweet dumplings, and freshly baked bread filled the air. Lanterns hung from every post, glowing softly in the daylight, and children ran between stalls, chasing each other with handmade paper masks.
Hayato, Hikari, and Saeka walked side by side through the bustling streets, each carrying small festival trinkets — signs of a peace that still felt almost unreal.
Hikari's eyes sparkled as she darted between food stands, her excitement barely contained.
"Look, Nii-chan! They brought back the lightning-shaped candy sticks!" she exclaimed, grabbing two and holding one out to her brother.
Hayato raised an eyebrow. "You mean the ones that nearly cracked your tooth last year?"
Hikari pouted dramatically. "Hey, that was one time! Besides, they taste better when you've earned them."
Saeka laughed, her amber eyes glinting. "By 'earned,' you mean after electrocuting half the enemy gang?"
Hikari grinned proudly. "Exactly!"
Hayato shook his head, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "You're going to give the villagers the wrong idea about what heroes are supposed to look like."
"Oh, come on," Hikari teased. "Heroes deserve candy too!"
Saeka leaned closer to Hayato, her voice softening. "It's good to see her like this again."
Hayato nodded, watching his sister twirl through the crowd, the blue snowflake hairpiece catching the sunlight. "Yeah… she's been through too much. We all have."
The sound of festival drums echoed through the plaza as dancers in brightly colored garments moved gracefully in the square. For a moment, everything felt normal—almost as if the world beyond the village walls didn't exist.
Saeka glanced at Hayato, noticing the way his gaze wandered past the crowd, toward the distant ridge beyond the village.
"You're scanning for trouble again, aren't you?" she said, smirking.
Hayato's lips tightened. "Habit."
"Or paranoia," Hikari called out over her shoulder, munching on her candy stick. "You've been glaring at shadows since we got here!"
"Shadows don't usually kill people," Hayato muttered, his tone half-teasing, half-serious.
Saeka nudged his arm gently. "They also don't usually get chased away by a lightning witch and a brooding vigilante."
Hikari perked up. "Wait—who's the lightning witch?"
Hayato grinned. "Take a guess."
Saeka chuckled under his breath. "You two are impossible."
They reached the center of the square, where a wide wooden stage had been set up for the evening's performances. Children practiced dances while the older villagers arranged decorations. The air was full of laughter, music, and the distant hum of happiness.
For a fleeting moment, Hayato allowed himself to relax.
Then, a faint rumble echoed from the horizon—so distant that it could have been thunder.
Hikari stopped mid-step, her candy stick lowering slowly. "...Did you hear that?"
Saeka frowned, tilting her head. "Probably just storm clouds rolling in."
But Hayato's expression darkened. He could feel it—the faint tremor beneath the earth, the familiar vibration of engines. His hand drifted instinctively toward the hilt of his blade.
The celebration continued around them, oblivious. Laughter, music, chatter. The world still felt safe—for the moment.
Hikari looked up at him, her smile fading. "Nii-chan… it's them, isn't it?"
Hayato didn't answer right away. His eyes stayed fixed on the horizon, where the dust was beginning to rise like a bruise against the sky.
Finally, he exhaled, voice low and steady.
"Get the villagers to safety. Now."
Saeka's flames flickered faintly at her fingertips. "You think it's The Nocturnals?"
"I know it's the Nocturnals."
The drums of the festival beat louder now, almost mocking in their rhythm. The villagers cheered, unaware that the music was about to be drowned out by the roar of engines—by the return of the Nocturnals.
Hikari's grip tightened on her candy stick until it snapped in half, sparks flickering along her fingers. Her eyes glowed faintly blue in the sunlight. "We need to warn the Chief and get the villagers to safety. Hayato….."
"I know…" Hayato replied in a terse manner. His lips curved into a grim smile.
"They'll be here soon....Stay sharp. This time… we'll finish it."
The three of them moved quickly, weaving through the festival crowd. The joyful chatter and laughter began to dissolve into murmurs as the villagers noticed their urgency. Mothers pulled children closer; merchants froze mid-sale, watching the trio push through with grim determination.
They reached the large wooden hall near the center of the square — the Chief's residence, draped in ceremonial banners for the festival.
Without waiting, Hayato shoved open the doors and strode in.
Inside, the village chief — the same elderly man whose gratitude had nearly broken him to tears just days earlier — stood before a long table, sorting through festival offerings. He looked up, startled by the abrupt entrance.
"Hayato? What's wrong?"
Hayato's voice was low but steady, each word sharp with controlled urgency. "The Nocturnals. They're coming."
The Chief froze, his weathered hands tightening around his cane. "Are you certain?"
Saeka stepped forward, her tone quick but respectful. "We heard their engines. There's no mistaking it. They're less than ten minutes out."
The Chief swallowed hard, then nodded. "Understood." He turned to his attendants, barking orders with a strength that belied his frail frame. "Sound the alarm! Evacuate the square — now!"
The guards rushed out, shouting over the growing noise outside. A deep, resonant horn blared moments later, its echo rolling through the village like a somber warning.
Hikari flinched at the sound, her voice tight. "It's happening again…"
Saeka placed a hand on her shoulder. "Not like last time. This time, we're ready."
Hayato stepped toward the doorway, his silhouette framed by the fading sunlight and the rising dust. "We'll meet them at the eastern gate. That's where they'll come through."
The Chief's voice called out after them. "Hayato… be careful. The village owes you everything."
Hayato glanced back, his expression unreadable. "Then let's make sure it still has something left to owe."
With that, he turned and strode out, Hikari and Saeka close behind. The festival lights flickered as they passed, their glow dimming under the shadow of the storm rolling in from the east.
And then — faintly, beneath the blaring horns and panicked shouts — came the unmistakable snarl of engines.
The Nocturnals had arrived, with their Overlord at the front of his army.
Striding into the village square like a king surveying his territory, The leader of the Nocturnals moved with the kind of confidence only a man who feared nothing could possess. His long, tattered coat trailed behind him, dust swirling in his wake, clinging to the fabric like a second skin. The intricate tattoos winding up his neck seemed almost alive under the shifting light, twisting with his every movement. His enhanced arms flexed unconsciously, while his dark hair, slicked back and neat, caught the sunlight, the edges gleaming faintly. His metallic arm enhancements, sleek and deadly, reflected the light—a constant reminder of the power he wielded. The Night Reaper, The Grim Eclipse, The Black Sun….. all names that he was known by during his tyrannical reign. He is Nyx, Leader of the Nocturnals.
Nyx stood at the entrance, his dark coat swaying with the wind, his presence commanding as ever. His gang flanked him like a pack of wolves, their matching black jackets making them seem like shadows bleeding into the streets.
Then—
"Hayato!"
Nyx's voice cut through the square like a blade, raw and commanding.
Hayato gazed upon his former mentor, the tension in his muscles coiling like a spring, already knowing what he would see.
Nyx smirked, stepping closer. "I heard from my men that you had a wonderful conversation. So now that I'm here, what's your answer?"
Hayato squared his shoulders, his eyes locked onto Nyx's with unwavering resolve. Then let out a smirk. " You know what, I'm glad that you're here so I can look you in the eye and give you the answer that you very much deserve."
Hayato's expression darkened. "GO TO HELL."
For a moment, Nyx simply stared at him, then threw back his head and laughed. A deep, mocking sound that sent a shiver down the villagers' spines.
"You're serious, aren't you? Ah Hayato, you disappoint me." Nyx grinned, then lazily flicked his wrist toward his men. "Take him down."
The gang surged forward. Hayato was already moving.
A sharp whoosh of wind blasted outward as he twisted his body, channeling the momentum of the storm itself.
The first thug barely got close before he was slammed backward, a gust of wind hitting him like a battering ram. He crashed against a wooden stall, the entire structure splintering under the force.
Another came at him, swinging a crude iron club. Hayato ducked low, feeling the rush of air as the weapon sailed inches over his head. Before the attacker could recover, Hayato pivoted on his heel, using the wind's momentum to drive a palm strike straight into the thug's chest.
BOOM.
The sheer force sent him skidding across the dirt, tumbling like a ragdoll before coming to a groaning stop.
A third lunged in with a knife, aiming for Hayato's ribs—but before the blade could even come close, a sudden crackling flash of light streaked across the battlefield.
BZZZT!
The attacker convulsed violently, his entire body locking up as arcs of electricity danced across his skin. His mouth gaped open in a silent scream before his knees buckled, and he collapsed, twitching in the dirt.
Hayato turned just in time to see Hikari stepping forward.
Her eyes shone like lightning itself, her small frame crackling with barely contained energy. Blue electricity arced between her fingertips, illuminating her black jacket in flashes of pale, ghostly light.
"Nice timing," Hayato muttered, exhaling slightly.
Hikari flashed him a quick, mischievous smile. "I couldn't let you have all the fun, could I?"
One of the thugs came from behind them to attack, but was hit with a fire ball from Saeka.
"Be careful you two. There's more coming."
Hayato and Hikari gave a nod to Saeka and turned their gaze onto the remaining thugs. Hikari's small hands flexed, the crackling blue energy surging along her arms, pulsing with raw power. While Hayato's hands let out small balls of wind and it was spreading. The rest of the gang began to feel the pressure coming from them.
"If you don't want to end up like him," Hikari said, jerking her chin toward the twitching thug on the ground, "I suggest you get lost."
One of the gang members, still spasming from her attack, staggered to his feet in a panic. His breath came in ragged gasps, eyes darting wildly between Hayato and Hikari.
"B-Boss, they're too strong!"
Nyx's smirk faltered slightly. A flicker of something passed through his gaze—annoyance? Amusement? It was hard to tell.
"Cowards," he muttered under his breath.
The remaining men hesitated for only a second longer before fear won over loyalty. One by one, they turned and bolted, disappearing into the alleyways like rats fleeing a sinking ship.
Nyx, however, remained where he stood.
Slowly, he flexed his fingers, rolling his shoulders. The air around him darkened, shadowy tendrils creeping up his arms, wrapping around his forearms like living ink. The ground beneath his feet darkened, small fissures forming in the dirt, as if the very earth itself recoiled from his presence.
Hayato tensed, the wind around him howling in response. Hikari narrowed her eyes, her hands sparking with renewed energy.
This fight wasn't over. Nyx was about to show them exactly why he had been their leader.
"I see you haven't lost your touch," Nyx muttered. His voice was casual, but there was an unmistakable edge to it—a predator acknowledging another predator.
Hayato took a step forward. His glowing eyes burned like storm-lit skies, the intricate markings on his face pulsing with energy. The wind around him stirred, swirling at his feet as if mirroring his rage. His fingers curled into tight fists, nails digging into his palms as he met Nyx's gaze head-on.
"Last chance, Nyx," Hayato said, his voice steady, filled with quiet fury. "Get lost, or I'll make you."
Nyx let out a low chuckle, shaking his head. "You think you've won? Oh dear boy, you forgot who trained you." His voice dripped with amusement, but his eyes gleamed with something far more dangerous—something sinister.
At a blur of motion—Nyx lunged forward, his enhanced arms firing like pistons, delivering a brutal strike with inhuman force.
WHAM!
Hayato barely had time to react. He raised his arms in defense, but the impact was devastating—like being hit by a wrecking ball. The sheer force sent him skidding backward, his boots carving deep trails in the dirt.
Before Nyx could press the attack—
BZZZT!
A bright surge of electricity crackled through the air, a flash of blue light splitting the battlefield.
Nyx twisted mid-motion, barely dodging the lightning-fast strike that nearly grazed his side. He turned his head just in time to see Hikari stepping forward, her fingertips crackling with arcs of raw electricity.
Her brilliant white hair was wild, disheveled from the battle, and the electricity surging through her veins illuminated her small frame in pulsing blue light. Her piercing eyes, though wide with exhaustion, held unwavering determination.
"We've got this, Nii-chan." Her voice was soft—but beneath it lay steel.
Nyx sneered, brushing dust from his coat. "Cute. You think you're a threat?"
CRACK!
Hikari vanished.
A bolt of white-blue energy shot across the battlefield, and in the blink of an eye—she was gone.
Nyx's smirk widened.
BOOM!
Hikari appeared right in front of him.
Her small hand slammed into his chest, crackling with pure energy.
"Thunder Surge Palm!"
The moment her palm connected, a shockwave of electricity exploded outward, sending a massive jolt straight through Nyx's nervous system.
But as the smoke cleared, Nyx stood tall, he didn't take any damage because he was protected by his darkness powers.
"Really? Is that the best you can do? Nyx said with a smirk.
Hayato appeared right behind him.
Hayato countered—his palm thrusting forward as a sharp burst of wind erupted from his fingertips.
WHAM.
The gang flew backward as if struck by an invisible hammer, crashing through a vendor's stall with an explosion of splintered wood and scattered produce. Vegetables and fabric rained down, rolling across the dirt road in a chaotic mess. But thanks to Nyx powers he was unfazed, and didn't move an inch.
Before Hayato could take a breath, Nyx was already charging towards him, clenched his fist and hitting at his ribs, Hayato fell to the ground.
"You've gotten stronger since you left," Nyx mused, tilting his head slightly. "I'll give you that. But strength…" His smirk widened, but his eyes gleamed with something more dangerous. "Strength means nothing without control."
Hikari and Saeka rushed to save Hayato. Hikari's eyes flashed like twin stars.
"Neural Hijack."
A concentrated bolt of electricity surged from her palm, arcing through the night like a guided missile. It was going, lock up Nyx's entire body upon impact.
Saeka clenched her fist and it lifted on fire. She was going to hit him with a fire punch.
Nyx then summoned a darkness wall, stopping both Hikari's and Saeka's attacks. Hayato is vulnerable to anything Nyx will do and both Hikari and Saeka can't do anything to save him.