Part I: The Struggle and the Split
The three demons moved like a pack—coordinated, relentless, and precise.
Kaito and Rengoku had faced many demons, but never like this. These weren't wild beasts. They were tacticians.
The bone-plated demon charged from the front, its claws hammering down like twin axes. The stitched-mouth demon flanked from the left, silent and fast, while Daigo circled from the rear, blade crackling with corrupted energy.
Kaito blocked the bone demon's strike, but the stitched-mouth one slashed his thigh. He staggered, pain flaring. Rengoku intercepted Daigo's blade, but not before it grazed his back.
They retreated, breath ragged.
"They're working together," Kaito said, panting.
Rengoku nodded. "We need to break their formation."
Kaito scanned the terrain. A narrow ridge split the clearing. If they could bait the demons into chasing them separately…
"Split them," he said. "Force them into different lanes."
Rengoku grinned. "I'll take Daigo. You handle the minions."
Kaito nodded, blood soaking into his robe.
They moved.
Kaito dashed toward the ridge, baiting the stitched-mouth demon. It followed, silent and twitching. The bone demon hesitated, then lunged after him.
Rengoku turned sharply, drawing Daigo's attention. Their blades clashed again, flame against shadow.
The ridge worked.
The demons were separated.
Kaito crouched behind a fallen tree, watching the two minions circle. Storm seed pulsed in his chest. Arc Pulse was active. He had 3 Demon Points. Two more, and he could unlock the next skill.
But first—survival.
He gripped his sword tighter.
The fight had begun again.
Part II: Rengoku vs. Daigo
Rengoku faced Daigo alone.
The corrupted slayer moved erratically, his blade twitching with unnatural energy. His eyes were bloodshot, his stance broken—but his strikes were fast, vicious.
"You were trained," Rengoku said, blocking a wild slash. "You had discipline."
Daigo laughed. "Discipline is a cage. Power is freedom."
Their blades clashed again—Rengoku's flame arcs against Daigo's jagged swings. Sparks flew. The ground scorched beneath them.
Daigo feinted left, then spun right, aiming for Rengoku's ribs. Rengoku pivoted, countered with Flame Breathing: Third Form – Blazing Universe, forcing Daigo back.
"You fight like a demon," Rengoku said.
"I am more than a demon," Daigo snarled. "I am evolution."
He lunged again, blade aimed at Rengoku's throat.
Rengoku ducked, rolled, and struck upward—Flame Breathing: Fifth Form – Flame Tiger. The blade roared through the air, slicing Daigo's shoulder.
Daigo screamed, staggering.
But he didn't fall.
He grinned, blood dripping. "You can't kill me. I've surpassed you."
Rengoku narrowed his eyes. "You've lost yourself."
Daigo charged again, faster this time. Rengoku blocked, but the force pushed him back.
They clashed again and again—flame and shadow, honour and corruption.
Rengoku's back burned. Daigo's shoulder bled.
Neither yielded.
But Rengoku's eyes stayed clear.
He wasn't fighting for power.
He was fighting for Kaito.
For the slayers.
For the mountain.
Part III: Kaito vs. the Minions
Kaito crouched low, blood dripping from his thigh. The stitched-mouth demon moved silently, twitching with anticipation. The bone-plated one growled, claws scraping stone.
They didn't speak.
But they coordinated.
The stitched-mouth demon lunged first—fast, low, aiming for Kaito's legs. Kaito dodged, barely, and countered with Thunderclap and Flash. The blade grazed its shoulder, and Arc Pulse flared—stunning it briefly.
The bone demon followed, swinging wide. Kaito ducked, rolled, and struck—Thunder Swarm, three hits, each pulsing with disruption.
The demons staggered.
But didn't fall.
Kaito retreated behind the ridge, forcing them to funnel one at a time.
The stitched-mouth demon came first.
Kaito baited it, then struck—Distant Roar, slicing through its chest. Arc Pulse surged, disrupting its regeneration.
It shrieked, convulsed, and then collapsed.
One down.
Storm seed pulsed.
3 Demon Points.
The bone demon roared, charging.
Kaito met it head-on.
Their blades clashed—claw against steel. Kaito dodged, struck, dodged again. Arc Pulse flared with each hit, staggering the demon.
It lunged wildly.
Kaito ducked, then launched Thunder Swarm again—five rapid strikes, each precise.
The demon collapsed.
Silence.
Storm seed pulsed again.
6 Demon Points.
The next skill was ready.
But Kaito didn't activate it yet.
He turned toward Rengoku.
The flame still burned.
And Daigo was still standing.