Midnight Restlessness
[Panel 1]
Dark clouds drift across a moonless sky. The air presses down, heavy and suffocating. Tochiro lies awake, restless.
Tochiro (thoughts):
The devils… why did they suddenly halt their attacks on humans? There has to be a weakness. Something they're hiding.
A sharp knock thunders against his door, shattering the silence.
Tochiro (alert):
"…At this hour?"
[Panel 2]
He opens the door to see Roku, eyes sharp with urgency.
Roku:
"Tochiro—wake Mizuna. Now. I know it's midnight, but this can't wait."
---
The Prison at Night
[Panel 3]
Roku and Mizuna stride down a torchlit corridor. Mizuna rubs her eyes, her long hair messy from sleep. Her tone drips with annoyance.
Mizuna (yawning):
"What could possibly be so urgent…? Don't tell me someone escaped."
Roku (grinning):
"Relax, my sweet angel. You'll find out soon enough."
Mizuna (scowling):
"Stop calling me that. Just tell me."
Roku (smirking):
"Patience. The truth is uglier than my words."
[Panel 4]
They enter the cell block. Mizuna's eyes narrow as she sees a prisoner chained and bloodied.
Mizuna (shocked, muttering):
"…How the hell is he still breathing?"
Roku:
"Because he's not ordinary. A demon. Caught inside the Bone Pyramid Ward."
Mizuna (voice hardening):
"…Transfer him to the Raizen Cell. Demons are becoming pests. I'll deal with him at dawn."
---
Early Morning
[Panel 5]
Sunlight filters through the window. Tochiro wakes, stretching. He prepares a simple meal, but something feels off.
Tochiro:
"…Mizuna's not here. Figures—captain duties again."
His eyes drift to the library. The shelves whisper temptation.
[Panel 6]
He pulls out an old tome: "Source of the Devil's Power."
Narration (from the book):
Devils emit unique auras. Weak ones feel ordinary, but strong ones resemble demons.
They store energy in their weapons.
With brutal training, they awaken Hellfire Mandala Eyes.
They can harden their very bodies against blades.
Those who bear three marks on their back belong to a cursed clan. When the marks spread, they become near-unstoppable.
Tochiro (thoughts):
…So that's what we're up against.
---
The Raizen Cell
[Panel 7]
Raizen awakens, iron collar glinting around his neck. His gaze locks on another prisoner—Arata.
Raizen (coldly):
"You. Who are you? What crime brought you here?"
Arata (thoughts, wary):
Even with that collar, he leaks power. Dangerous.
Arata (low voice):
"…I'm a demon. Caught by a devil."
Raizen (smirking):
"You lie. You're no demon. Tell me what you really are… before I crush you."
Arata (hesitant):
"…You're right. I'm not."
A chilling voice slices through the silence.
Mizuna (entering):
"My, my. Already bonding? How sweet."
[Panel 8]
Mizuna steps forward, her expression ice. Chains rattle, screams echo as she begins torturing Arata with ruthless precision.
Arata (screaming):
"Please… kill me! Just kill me already!"
Raizen (dark laugh):
"Hah! He begs for death, and you laugh. Mizuna… your cruelty is almost art."
Mizuna (hissing):
"Silence. You'll both break. One way or another."
Hours later, Mizuna leaves, her hands trembling slightly—hidden behind her cold mask.
---
Conflict at Home
[Panel 9]
Tochiro slams the book shut as Mizuna returns. He quickly slides it back into place.
Tochiro:
"You disappeared without a word. I was worried. Captain's work again?"
Mizuna (light smirk):
"Obviously. And drop the formalities—we're not training."
Tochiro (soft):
"Sorry, Mizuna."
[Panel 10]
Tochiro:
"…So? What was so urgent this morning?"
Mizuna (smug, almost proud):
"We caught a demon. Transferred him from the Bone Pyramid. Name's Arata."
Tochiro (thoughts, heart sinking):
Arata?! No… it can't be him…
[Panel 11 – Flashback]
Memories surge—Tochiro and Arata separated violently, each dragged to different wards.
---
Breaking Point
[Panel 12]
Mizuna describes the torture casually, as if it were routine. Tochiro's fists tremble.
Tochiro (angrily):
"Enough!"
He storms off. Mizuna glares, her pride wounded.
Mizuna (furious):
"You dare raise your voice to me—over a worthless demon?!"
Tochiro (shouting back):
"We were the ones who invaded their home first!"
Mizuna (cold, then softer):
"…We had reasons. Sacrifices for the greater good. Do you think I enjoy it? Every scream… stays with me."
Tochiro (staggered, pained):
"Greater good? All I see are endless corpses."
Mizuna looks at him, her eyes softening just for a second.
Mizuna (quiet):
"…If you need anything… I'm still here."
---
Tochiro's Resolve
[Panel 13]
Alone in his room, Tochiro stares into the darkness. His thoughts spiral with guilt and determination.
Tochiro (thoughts):
Arata has been captured. Tortured. He doesn't deserve this. If Mizuna won't stop… then I will. I have to free him.
The candlelight flickers—his resolve burning with it.
---
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