The wind howled through the smoldering ruins, thick with the scent of scorched earth and molten stone. Seraphina withdrew her foot from Raizen's face, her crimson eyes gleaming as she stepped back with elegance.
Seraphina: "Well then, now that introductions are out of the way…"
She unsheathed a thin, glimmering blade from her side. It hummed with an unnatural heat.
Seraphina: "Let's finish what we were sent here to do."
Dr. Reina adjusted her glasses, her calm demeanor masking a latent power that made even the air tremble around her.
Dr. Reina: "Our orders were clear. Eliminate the Ashen Wrath before he awakens fully. Before he burns the world to ash."
Raizen stood slowly, the ashes of his Fury State still glowing faintly beneath his skin. His breaths were heavy, but his voice was even.
Raizen: "I don't seek a fight. I didn't ask to become what I am. I only want one thing."
Silverdeath, leaning on a ruined lamppost, finished the last bite of the chocolate bar.
Silverdeath: "And what might that be, wrathful one?"
Raizen: "To destroy the World 9."
The words echoed ominously, like a curse cast into the winds of fate. For a moment, there was silence.
Sora, still licking chocolate off his fingers, tilted his head.
Sora: "Now that's interesting…"
Seraphina scoffed. "How noble of you. But mass murder isn't redemption. You're unstable. Dangerous."
Dr. Reina (coldly): "If you survive, you become a problem bigger than the World 9. We can't let that happen."
They stepped forward, weapons drawn. Raizen lowered into a stance, gathering flickers of flame between his fingers. Silverdeath unsheathed his clawed gauntlets, licking his lips like a predator.
But then—Sora stepped in front of Raizen.
Sora: "Wait."
Everyone paused.
Seraphina (irritated): "What do you think you're doing, Firelegs?"
Sora: "I'm not fighting him."
Silverdeath's eyes widened. "Huh?"
Raizen turned his head slightly. "Why?"
Sora's smirk faded, replaced with an uncharacteristic seriousness.
Sora: "I'll help you, Raizen. I'll fight by your side. On one condition."
Raizen raised an eyebrow.
Sora (flatly): "We destroy the World 9. Together."
Raizen's fists clenched. He didn't ask why. He didn't need to.
The name alone dripped with blood and pain. World 9—nine tyrants who each ruled a continent with unchecked power, each a monster forged in hatred and greed. The same monsters who'd stolen everything from Raizen.
He saw it in Sora's eyes—the same fury. The same loss.
Raizen nodded. "Deal."
Seraphina barked a laugh. "You two think you can take on the World 9? Adorable."
Dr. Reina: "Sora, you realize the cost of siding with a Fury state, don't you?"
Sora (grinning): "Yeah. I'm not the same weak kid anymore. I've got my reasons. Let's just say... I hate them more than I fear you."
Without warning, Seraphina leapt forward, her blade flashing like a bolt of lightning. Raizen blocked with a burning gauntlet, sparks showering the battlefield. Reina unleashed a wave of shimmering needles that danced like stars—Sora intercepted them with his flaming kicks, spinning in midair like a comet.
Silverdeath, despite the chaos, hesitated.
He looked at the chocolate wrapper in his hand. Then at Raizen. Then at Seraphina.
Silverdeath (muttering): "Why is everyone so dramatic?"
He joined the fray, launching himself toward Raizen with a twisted grin.
Silverdeath: "Let's see what the so-called Ashen Wrath is made of!"
The clash was apocalyptic. Raizen roared, his fury flaring as his fists collided with Silverdeath's fangs. Seraphina's blade met Sora's flame-cloaked legs in a deadly dance, and Reina weaved illusions and traps into the battlefield like a spider spinning silk.
Sora backflipped away from Seraphina, his feet steaming.
Sora: "You're fast, lady."
Seraphina (teasing): "And you're too hot to kill quickly. Shame."
Raizen grabbed Silverdeath by the throat, slamming him into the ground.
Raizen: "Still want to test me?"
Silverdeath (coughing, grinning): "Always."
But just as Reina prepared to strike Sora from behind—Raizen hurled a beam of fire at her, forcing her to dodge mid-spell. He joined Sora's side, their silhouettes standing tall against the crumbling skyline.
Raizen (growling): "Enough."
The air thickened with tension. Dust and embers swirled like spirits.
Seraphina eyed Raizen, her sword dripping heat.
Seraphina: "You're strong. I'll give you that. Maybe even strong enough to take on a few of the Nine. But if you lose control again—"
Dr. Reina (finishing): "We will end you."
Sora crossed his arms, smirking.
Sora: "Then I guess we'd better not lose."
Reluctantly, Seraphina lowered her blade. Reina adjusted her coat. Silverdeath stood, brushing dirt off himself with indifference.
Seraphina (with a smirk): "We'll be watching, Raizen. And if you fall… we'll be the ones to bury you."
She turned, her hair flowing behind her like a trail of flames. Dr. Reina followed, glancing back only once—with curiosity.
Silverdeath lingered.
Silverdeath: "Chocolate's better than blood, but a war against World 9? Now that's delicious."
He gave Sora a wink and vanished into the mist.
Now alone, Raizen and Sora stood among the ashes.
Raizen (quietly): "You never said why."
Sora (eyes shadowed): "I don't need to. You wouldn't want to know."
They both looked up at the blackened sky.
A storm was coming.
And the world would burn before it passed.