(Setting: Toki and Takuto are locked in an intense stare. Demon Runes cover Toki's face, while Takuto remains stable in Aura Flare (Step 3).)
Toki's eyes widened, and he roared in pure fury, "Come on! I'll end you!!"
Both Toki and Takuto fiercely stomped the ground simultaneously, sprinting toward each other at maximum velocity. Their movements transcended the limits of human sight.
The moment they clashed, Toki activated the Demon Eye's Physical Enhancement (holding the Stellar Flow within his body, not releasing it externally) and unleashed a torrent of Rapid Punches all over Takuto's body.
Takuto, using Crimson Spark Perception, foresaw Toki's attacks a split second before they landed. He skillfully evaded and blocked Toki's fists with his palms and forearms. Thanks to Phoenix Gaze, every single movement was incredibly precise and energy-efficient.
Toki: (In his mind) "Impossible! His skill level is still lower than mine! But his evasion... it's like he's seeing the future!"
After dodging the entire combination of Toki's punches, Takuto slightly retreated to his right. As Toki's body slightly overextended, Takuto fully utilized his lower body strength and drove a powerful kick into Toki's chest, shoving him away.
Toki nearly fell backward, his body trembling. This moment signified Takuto gaining the upper hand.
Takuto seized the opportunity, exploiting the instability of the wounded Toki.
He clenched his right fist, concentrating all the energy of the Aura Flare from his forearm into his fist. (Using the Aura only for Impact Strength, not releasing it externally.)
Before Toki could react, Takuto launched a full-powered punch aimed directly at Toki's Stellar Core in his chest.
WHOOSH! CRACK!
Toki's eyes bulged. The Demon Runes on his body briefly faded. He hunched forward and was sent flying backward about ten feet.
Toki struggled to stand, but a gush of blood erupted from his mouth, and he ultimately dropped to one knee.
Part 2: The Forgotten Betrayer
Takuto slowly walked toward Toki, his Pure Crimson Eyes glowing with fury.
Takuto: (Breathing heavily, but firm) "It's over. Everything ends right here!"
At that very moment, a cold, mocking voice echoed through the air.
Ayano: (With a scornful smile) "Did you completely forget about me, Takuto-kun?"
Takuto spun around to see Ayano standing up from the bench, gazing intently at him. Her eyes had changed to a dazzling Amethyst Purple.
Takuto: "Ayano...!"
Ayano immediately used her Amethyst Gate (Purple Eye) power. A Gate (Portal) filled with purple light suddenly opened near the ground next to Takuto.
Ayano: "Bye-bye, Takuto-kun!"
Ayano's leg shot out from the Portal at lightning speed, delivering a fierce kick to Takuto's side.
Takuto received a warning from the Crimson Spark, but it was too close; he couldn't evade it at all.
Takuto: "Agh!"
The kick was powerful, but the Aura Flare minimized the damage. Still, Takuto was nearly knocked off his feet and stumbled backward.
Ayano gave him no time to recover, creating Amethyst Gates in rapid succession. Multiple Portals suddenly appeared all around Takuto, above, below, left, and right.
Ayano: "Now, let's play, Takuto-kun."
Ayano moved rapidly, flashing from one Portal to another. She continuously assaulted Takuto with a flurry of punches and kicks, appearing and disappearing.
Takuto used his Aura Flare for defense and evasion, but Ayano's speed and the unpredictable placement of the Portals left him only able to defend.
As another one of Ayano's punches emerged from a Portal, Takuto, through the pain, concentrated with all his might. His Phoenix Gaze accurately predicted the incoming trajectory.
The moment Ayano's fist appeared from the final Portal, Takuto snatched her wrist at high speed.
Ayano showed no panic, simply offering a casual smile.
Ayano: "Whew... you really are fast. But... watch your side too, Takuto-kun."
Hearing Ayano's words, Takuto instinctively looked behind him.
In that instant, Toki, his fist blazing with intensified Demon Aura, arrived at lightning speed and delivered his most powerful punch directly into Takuto's chest.
Toki: "Die!!"
CRASH!!!
Takuto was thrown far through the air with intense pain. He slammed into a wall before falling back onto the ground. A pool of blood erupted from Takuto's mouth, and his Aura Flare completely vanished.
Takuto: "(A... agh...)"
He fell to his knees, staring blankly at Toki and Ayano with disbelief in his eyes.
Aoi, still chained in the air, saw Takuto injured and spitting blood.
Takuto: "(Agh... I'm sorry... Aoi... I can't protect you anymore...)" Takuto dropped his head, unable to meet Toki's gaze.
Aoi: "Takuto!!"
That sight became the final breaking point for Aoi. A wave of intense emotion began to flow through her eyes.
As Toki and Ayano reveled in their victory, they suddenly felt an extremely deep and piercing vibration from the environment.
The Shadow Chains, created by Toki's Demon Flow around Aoi's body, began to strain and solidify. Then, an incredibly thick, Blue-Black Aura burst forth from Aoi's eyes, exploding outward.
Toki: "What! What is this pressure!" Toki immediately spun to face Aoi.
Aoi's Blue-Black Aura was extremely intense and cold. It was even forcefully repelling Toki's Demon Flow. The Shadow Chains restraining Aoi were stretched taut, and then, with sparks flying, they snapped and scattered into pieces.
Toki: "She destroyed the Shadow Chains?"
Aoi slowly descended to the ground. The Blue-Black Aura emanating from her body was shaking the very earth. Her appearance had completely transformed.
Eyes: Her eyes shone like extremely dark, deep blue flickering flames.
Aura: The Aura surrounding her body took the form of dark shadows, exerting an icy pressure.
Her eyes had changed to a deep, dark blue, reflecting a Void. The area around her eyes was circled by a blue-black glowing shadow.
Dark Blue/Black color rapidly spread and changed throughout her hair in patches.
Unlike the marks on Takuto's face, ancient Ancient Demon Runes-shaped marks suddenly appeared in a blue-black glow beneath both her left and right eyes.
Aoi's Pure Demonic Power directly pressured Toki and Ayano. She lifted her head and let out a loud, painful roar toward the sky, fueled by intense agony and rage.
Aoi: "RRRRRRAAAAHHHHH!!!" (Like a silent scream, yet the pressure shook the entire surroundings.)
Aoi's Void Oculus power had fully awakened to Step 3: Demonic Embodiment.
Ayano: (With an utterly shocked expression) "How... how can this be! The wielder of the Void Oculus... in a form like this...!"
The pressure of Aoi's Demonic Embodiment forced Toki and Ayano to stagger back in astonishment, unable to speak. Even Toki's Demon Stellar Flow trembled because of Aoi's Aura.
Toki: (Breathing heavily) "Such... such intense power! How could the Shadow Syndicate classify her as a mere hostage!"
Ayano: (Her smile gone) "Void Oculus... has she reached the mythical stage they spoke of..."
The entire old park path was engulfed by Aoi's Blue-Black Stellar Flow, ready for a Final Clash.
At that moment, in the distance, on the rooftop of the tallest building untouched by light, the owner of Snow White Hair and Blood Red Eyes suddenly moved.
He stared coldly at the forms of Toki, Ayano, and Aoi.
Unknown Observer: (Muttering softly) "Hmm... Interesting. The Phoenix's awakening is still slow... but the Void Oculus is faster than I anticipated."
He focused his Blood Red Eyes precisely on Aoi's Demonic Aura. His eyes shone more intensely than before. There was only joy in his eyes, more than the desire to defeat.
Unknown Observer: "Ha... ha ha... this battle has become far more interesting. I must continue to observe."
He formed a satisfied smile—a smile that spoke of true challenge and danger.
Part 3: Demonic Embodiment and the Awakening of Phoenix
Aoi's Dark Blue/Black Aura covered the old park path like a deepening shadow. Her dark eyes fixated on Toki and Ayano.
Toki: "(This pressure... it's colder and more dangerous than Takuto's power.)"
Ayano: (With a trembling voice) "Toki... you can't handle her alone. We need to pressure her with my Portals."
Aoi didn't speak a word to initiate the attack; she simply extended her right hand toward the ground.
WHOOSH!
The ground around Aoi exploded with Dark Blue/Black Aura, and countless Shadow Weapons—including swords, spears, and iron rods—shot out from the earth.
Toki: "Shadow Arsenal!"
Aoi used her Void Oculus to direct all the Shadow Weapons to simultaneously attack both Toki and Ayano.
Toki immediately formed a Demon Flow Shield to repel the Shadow Weapons. Ayano also opened Amethyst Gates to transport the weapons into the Portal. However, the sheer number of Shadow Weapons forced both of them into a defensive stance.
Aoi sped through the empty air toward Toki at lightning speed. Toki saw Aoi's sudden movement while dealing with the Shadow Arsenal.
Toki: "(Her Physical Strength is equal to Takuto's Aura Flare!)"
Toki adopted a Martial Arts Stance, ready to receive Aoi's attack.
Toki's Demon Fist and Aoi's Void Enhanced Fist directly collided in the air.
BOOM! (A clash of black and blue-black Auras resulting in an explosion)
The impact briefly shook Toki's Demon Flow. Aoi's higher Aura Weight forced Toki to take a step back.
Toki: "She's strong! What power!"
Aoi remained silent, relentlessly pressuring Toki by using the Void Oculus's Perception to target the weakest points in his defense with a continuous barrage of punches and kicks.
Toki was overwhelmed by the combination of Aoi's Physical Power and Demonic Aura, forcing him entirely onto the defensive.
In that moment, Void Chains (Shadow Chains) rapidly emerged from Aoi's Dark Blue Aura, targeting and seizing both of Toki's arms.
Toki: "What!"
The moment the Shadow Chains wrapped around Toki's arms, he felt as if his Demon Flow had been momentarily blocked.
While restraining Toki with the Void Chains, Aoi's dark eyes fixated on him.
Existence Leak began.
Toki: "(My Stellar Flow... is leaking! It's flowing into her!)"
The Demon Runes on Toki's face visibly dimmed, and he felt his strength draining away.
Ayano: (In extreme shock) "Toki! Retreat right now! We can't let her continue this!"
The pressure from Aoi nearly forced Toki to his knees. His Demon Runes were dimming, and he felt pain in his chest due to the absorption of his Stellar Flow.
Toki: "(This girl... she's absorbing my Demon Flow! If this continues, my Stellar Core will be destroyed!)"
Ayano, while dodging the Shadow Arsenal with Amethyst Gates, felt a hint of fear when she saw Toki's condition.
Ayano: "Aoi's power is too dangerous. I have to use the Final Measure now!"
Ayano immediately pressed a beautiful ring on her finger. This was the Remote Control for a secret device prepared by the Shadow Syndicate, not just to save Toki, but to permanently capture Aoi.
The moment Ayano pressed the button...
Blue Electric Currents suddenly erupted from Aoi's body.
Aoi: "A... aaahhhh!!!"
Aoi's Void Oculus powers intensely trembled, and her Demonic Embodiment (Step 3) form became unstable due to the electric currents. The device restraining Aoi was a Shadow Syndicate product specially designed to withstand her massive Stellar Flow.
The Void Chains holding Toki's arms immediately broke and vanished due to the shock. The Existence Leak also ceased.
Aoi experienced an unbearable electric shock. Her Dark Blue Eyes dimmed, and her Dark Blue Aura completely disappeared.
Aoi's body became exhausted and uncontrollable, causing her to fall to her knees on the ground.
Ayano: (With a smile) "We were prepared for the moment your power awakened, Aoi-chan."
Toki: (Sighing and wiping the blood) "A worthwhile delay, Ayano-sama. Now, the job is done."
Toki stood back up, glaring angrily at the kneeling Aoi. Both of them prepared to finally capture Takuto and Aoi.
Seeing Aoi fall due to Ayano's deceit, Toki made his Demon Runes glow again and slowly walked toward Aoi with a satisfied smile. Ayano followed behind Toki.
Toki concentrated his Demon Flow in his right hand. The Dark Blue/Black Aura suddenly solidified into a sharp Shadow Sword in his grasp.
Toki stopped beside the kneeling Aoi and pointed the sword at her chest.
Toki: (With a villainous smile) "Our mission is only to capture you... but I have no desire to let someone as dangerous as you live."
Toki: "Hey Ayano-sama, can I kill her?"
Ayano: "You can kill her, but don't damage her eyes; they are too valuable."
Holding his Shadow Sword, Toki looked over at the wounded Takuto lying in a pool of blood.
Toki: (Loudly, mockingly) "Look at this, Takuto Himura! I'll kill her right in front of you! There's no one left for you to save!"
Lying in a pool of blood on the ground, Takuto slightly lifted his head when he heard Toki's words, despite the pain.
Takuto: (In an extremely weak voice, pleadingly) "D-don't... don't hurt Aoi..."
In that instant, Takuto's vision blurred with blood. The sight of Toki's Shadow Sword pointing at Aoi's chest perfectly overlapped with the traumatic memory of his mother being murdered.
Takuto's Trauma reached its peak. His mental anchor was completely severed.
The Phoenix Gaze:
Takuto's eyelids suddenly twitched. Then, when he reopened his eyes...
His eyes shone with a terrifying intensity, a deeper, steadier, and purer Crimson Red than the previous Aura Flare.
The entire environment knew: his power had surpassed Step 3 and reached a new stage.
In the distance, on the rooftop of the tallest building, the owner of the Snow White Hair felt this power surge, and his Blood Red Eyes mixed with surprise and delight.
Unknown Observer: (Softly, yet his voice echoed in the air)
"This is the moment I've been waiting for!"
The Unknown Observer nodded slightly and stared at Takuto with complete challenge.
Unknown Observer: "Now then... Takuto Himura. What more wonders can you show me."
His eyes intensely glowed with true danger and the anticipation of the coming battle.
[END OF CHAPTER 12]