Axel ran as fast as he could, Hana clinging to his back. He couldn't shake off the feeling of being watched, the same sensation that had warned him of danger back at their house. Suddenly, he stopped and looked around frantically.
"What is it, Axel?" Hana whispered, her voice trembling.
Without a word, Axel swiftly climbed a nearby tree and gently placed Hana on a branch. "Stay here, Hana. Don't make a sound," he whispered urgently.
As he descended from the tree, Axel steeled himself for what lay ahead. He would do whatever it took to keep Hana safe.
Just as he was about to reassure Hana, a dark figure emerged from the shadows. Vespera appeared, its eyes fixed on Axel with an unnerving intensity. With a swift motion, Vespera grabbed Axel's head and forcefully threw him away. Axel's body crashed into a nearby tree, and he coughed out blood as he slumped to the ground.
Axel's vision blurred as he struggled to stay conscious. Memories of Takeru's determination flashed before his eyes, and he mustered the strength to speak. "T-Takeru... what happened to him?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Vespera's gaze locked onto Axel, its expression serene – calm and peaceful, with an air of quiet confidence. "He is dead," Vespera replied, its voice as gentle as a summer breeze. "I sliced him... in half."
Axel's eyes widened in shock, and he closed them, trying to process the loss. A faint, weak aura enveloped him, and he felt an unusual energy coursing through his veins. As he opened his eyes, he stood up, his gaze fixed on Vespera with a growing anger.
Axel's eyes lit up with a fierce red glow, and he launched a punch at Vespera. However, Vespera effortlessly dodged the attack, its movements almost casual. "Your eyes are intimidating, boy, but you are weak," Vespera said, its tone unchanged.
The battle was one-sided, with Vespera mercilessly attacking Axel. A deep gash appeared on Axel's forehead, and Vespera's scythe sliced through his right arm, leaving a trail of blood. The final blow came as Vespera plunged its scythe into Axel's shoulder, pinning him in place.
"I'm surprised at how you used life force without knowing what it is," Vespera said, its voice still serene. Axel was battered and bruised, kneeling on the ground, covered in blood.
As Axel looked up, Vespera began to explain, "Let me tell you something before you die. In this world, humans are not the only supreme beings. There are three races. The first is humans; they are seen as the weakest among the three and use life force to enhance their abilities. The second is demons; we are divided into three sub-species. The Korosu live solely to kill and eat humans. If a Korosu consumes enough humans, it can evolve into a Kyokai – a demon with intelligence and strength that grows with each human it consumes."
Vespera's gaze seemed to bore into Axel's soul as it continued, "And then there are the Kurokami – the highest rank in the demon world. There are only five in existence, and they are formed by evolving from a Kyokai. I think I've said enough. You humans are no match for us. Now, you die."
As Vespera raised its scythe for the final blow, a fierce blaze erupted from the tree where Hana was hiding. The flames engulfed Vespera, and it let out a blood-curdling screech. The Kurokami stumbled back, its body burning, as Hana's small hands seemed to fuel the fire.
Vespera's screams grew weaker, its body charred and smoldering. With one final, anguished cry, it collapsed to the ground, lifeless.
As the flames died down, Axel felt a strange, unsettling sensation in his chest – a dull thud, like a heartbeat skipping a beat. His vision blurred, and he fainted, his body crashing to the ground.
Hana's eyes widened in horror as she rushed to Axel's side, tears streaming down her face. "Axel, wake up! Please, Axel!" she begged, shaking him gently.
The scene fell silent, with only the crackling of the dying flames and Hana's soft sobs breaking the stillness.