The great hall of the Crimson Fang estate was drowning in firelight and blood. Torches burned crookedly in their sconces, shadows flailing against the stone walls as if the very room recoiled from the slaughter within. Smoke from overturned braziers mixed with the coppery tang of blood, choking the air.
At the center stood Moraku, the Crimson Fang's towering enforcer, muscles like coiled iron beneath scarred flesh. His two-handed battle axe gleamed, already painted with the blood of men who had dared to challenge him. The weapon was taller than some of the soldiers still charging into the hall, its edge serrated with cruel notches that promised pain more than death.
Opposite him, Luv stood calm yet burning inside. His black hair was matted to his forehead, his clothes slashed from earlier skirmishes. The dagger in his hand was almost laughably small compared to Moraku's axe, but the way Luv held it—loose, balanced, ready—spoke of quiet, lethal confidence.
Behind Luv, the doors of the hall shuddered under repeated blows. Dozens of Crimson Fang soldiers rammed their way through, a tide of steel about to flood in. Ayu planted herself in front of them, dual pistols drawn, her jade-like face hardened with resolve.
"Go," she snapped, not looking at Luv. "He's yours. I'll keep the trash busy."
Moraku laughed, a deep sound that rumbled like a war drum. "A boy with a toy knife and a girl with pretty eyes think they can defy the Fang? Pathetic."
Luv said nothing. He moved forward, steps measured, his eyes locked on Moraku's.
The duel erupted in an instant.
Moraku's axe swung in a wide arc, the air itself shrieking as steel carved through it. Luv ducked low, the blade passing inches above his head, and slashed with his dagger—too quick for most eyes to follow. Sparks burst as the dagger met the axe's haft, leaving a shallow mark but no weakness.
"Fast," Moraku growled, pulling back. "But speed won't save you when strength breaks your bones."
He lunged, axe descending in a thunderous vertical chop. The stone floor cracked under the impact, chips of marble spraying out. Luv had rolled aside, landing smoothly, eyes narrowing. He could feel the tremors in his chest from the sheer force of that blow.
Behind him, Ayu fired, each shot ringing out sharp and merciless. Men screamed as they fell, their rush breaking into chaos. She moved like a phantom, ducking behind pillars, reloading in fluid motions, her resolve hardening with every corpse that hit the ground. Yet more kept coming—like ants pouring from a broken nest.
The hall became a storm of violence.
Moraku pressed his advantage, his axe carving huge swaths through the air, smashing tables, splitting pillars, filling the room with the thunder of destruction. But each time, Luv slid past the deadly edge, his dagger flicking out in counters—slashes across Moraku's forearm, a stab grazing his ribs, another slicing the back of his knee.
None were killing blows, but each cut slowed the giant a little more.
"You bleed easily for a monster," Luv murmured, his voice flat, eyes unblinking.
Moraku roared, swinging wildly, his strength born of fury now rather than control. His axe slammed down again and again, sparks flying as steel met stone. At last, Luv saw his chance—Moraku's overcommitment left his side exposed. Luv darted in, dagger flashing like lightning—
—but Moraku twisted, catching Luv with the blunt of the axe's haft. The strike was like being hit by a charging bull. Luv crashed against a pillar, ribs screaming with pain. He coughed blood but refused to fall.
"Stay down, little rat!" Moraku bellowed, lifting his axe high for the finishing blow.
But in that same heartbeat, Ayu's gun cracked. A bullet ripped into Moraku's shoulder, spinning him slightly off balance. Luv pushed through the haze of pain, surged forward, and drove his dagger upward into the giant's side—deep, piercing through muscle and finding the gap in his armor.
Moraku howled, dropping his axe as blood poured from the wound. Luv wrenched the dagger free, stepped behind him, and with one final motion slit across the back of his neck.
The giant staggered, gurgled, then collapsed face-first onto the blood-soaked stone.
Silence hung for a split second, broken only by Ayu's labored breathing and the distant clash of soldiers still trying to break through the doors.
Luv stood over Moraku's corpse, chest heaving, blood dripping from his dagger. He looked at Ayu across the hall. For a brief moment, their eyes met—and both knew this was only the beginning.
The Crimson Fang would never forgive them.