ARC II — "THE FALL OF THE FALSE GODS"
The valley was a nightmare of smoke, ash, and twisted metal. Rain drummed on the wreckage of shattered vehicles, pools of water mixing with blood, reflecting the faint glow of Kurotsume's flickering aura.
Kurotsume staggered forward, cloak torn, silver flames sputtering across his wounded body. Every step was agony, every breath sharp, but he refused to fall again.
"You're strong… but not enough," Vorak's voice boomed from above, amplified across the battlefield.
"I will crush everything you've built. Every ally, every hope."
Siel crouched behind debris, gripping her blade tightly. She had already taken down two elite generals but was exhausted. Her armor bore scorch marks, cuts, and bruises.
"Kurotsume… they're coming for me!"* she shouted, deflecting an energy blast with a spinning slash.*
Kurotsume's eyes flickered faintly, a pulse from the fragment lending him strength. He didn't move immediately. Instead, he calculated, his calm demeanor hiding the surge of power within.
"Stay close. Don't get reckless,"* he murmured, voice rough but steady.*
A squad of generals descended rapidly — three simultaneously — each faster and stronger than the last. They coordinated perfectly, focusing attacks on Siel.
Siel gritted her teeth. "I'm not a target!"
"Then prove it,"* Kurotsume said, voice low, almost teasing.
Siel lunged forward, striking one general with precise cuts, energy arcing from her blade. Another general blocked, forcing her to dodge, roll, and spin in a blur of motion. Her movements were faster, sharper, but the strain was evident.
Kurotsume moved next, aura flickering slightly, and intercepted a blow aimed at her. The strike glanced his shoulder, tearing flesh and fabric, but the fragment's subtle power stabilized him just enough to remain standing.
"Not bad,"* he said, smirk faint, blood dripping from his lips.
"Keep moving."
The generals adjusted, launching coordinated volleys of energy and projectiles. Kurotsume moved fluidly between attacks, dodging, deflecting, weaving. Each strike chipped away at him — his injuries were worsening, his aura unstable — but he protected Siel and kept the front line from collapsing.
Siel's eyes widened as she noticed the flicker of silver flames beneath his wounds.
"Kurotsume… you're… using something…"
The demon hissed, urgent.
"Not yet! It's only lending him enough… just enough… to survive!"
Kurotsume smirked faintly, ignoring the pain.
"You think this is everything I have?"
He slashed through a group of generals with precise strikes, his aura flaring briefly. The fragment's power was subtle — a ghost of what it could be — enough to enhance reflexes, stabilize wounds temporarily, and make his attacks deadly without full awakening.
Meanwhile, Siel dodged a massive energy strike, sliding across the ground, and countered a mechanical arm, knocking the general off balance. She looked up at Kurotsume.
"We can do this… together!"*
Kurotsume nodded faintly, eyes glowing with a calm intensity.
"Exactly. Just survive. That's all that matters for now."
The generals regrouped, more cautious this time. Even Vorak's voice trembled slightly in irritation.
"Interesting… They still fight… against all odds."*
The chapter ends with Kurotsume and Siel standing together amidst the chaos — battered, bloodied, but still a deadly force.