The night was heavy with the scent of sulfur and ash.
The rift above the temple pulsed violently, its jagged edges bleeding fire into the mortal realm. Shadows crawled across the mountains, twisting unnaturally, heralding the arrival of a force unlike any Kanji had faced before.
Rin and Seiji stood atop the broken walls of the temple, scanning the horizon.
"They're coming… the demons are massing!" Rin shouted, fear and determination warring in her voice.
From the distant mountains, the ground shook with the approach of hundreds—no, thousands—of demons. Their forms twisted, horns jagged, eyes burning red. They moved like a living river, relentless and organized, spreading across the valleys and forests as if the very earth itself was their army.
Ryou knelt beside Kanji, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"This is the first wave. The full army of Ravnos's realm is upon us. If they breach the temple, everything will fall. You must lead, Kanji… now."
Kanji gripped the colossal black sword, chains wrapping tightly around him as molten energy flared from his body. His golden eyes burned with intensity, his aura spilling outward, pushing back the shadows that crept toward the temple.
"I… I won't let them hurt anyone," he whispered, almost to himself.
"I will protect this place… and everyone in it."
The demons surged forward, a tide of darkness crashing against the protective wards surrounding the temple. Spells from Rin and Seiji flared, creating bursts of light and energy, but the force was too great. One by one, the wards cracked, the air filled with screams and the stench of burning flesh.
Kanji stepped forward. The black sword pulsed violently, chains snapping outward like whips of living fire.
He swung it, and a wave of molten energy ripped through the front lines, turning the first wave of demons to ash. Lava and shadow collided, creating geysers of fire that scorched the ground, leaving trails of molten stone in their wake.
Ravnos's voice echoed from the rift.
"Good, nephew… awaken fully. Show me the true power of the Child of Destruction!"
The remaining demons surged harder, encouraged by their master's command. Massive beasts, towering over trees, came forward, their claws tearing at the earth. Swarms of smaller demons darted in from all directions, trying to flank the temple.
Kanji's aura exploded, molten gold and crimson light swirling into a storm.
"I will not falter!" he roared.
Chains from the sword shot outward, wrapping around massive demons, crushing and burning them instantly. Smaller demons collided with energy waves, disintegrating in streaks of fire and shadow.
Rin and Seiji fought desperately alongside him, supporting the wards, creating shields, and summoning bursts of holy energy to protect the temple.
But the ground shook again—a deep, rolling pulse that heralded the arrival of Ravnos's elite.
From the rift descended seven colossal demons, each larger than the tallest temple tower, their eyes molten gold, marking them as Ravnos's generals.
Kanji's golden eyes narrowed.
"So… this is it," he muttered.
"The first generals of Ravnos's army."
The black sword pulsed violently, chains lashing outward.
"I will not let you reach the temple… I will not let you harm them!"
With a scream that shook the mountains, Kanji surged forward. Every strike, every swing, every pulse of energy from the sword carved a path through the generals, throwing them back, igniting the battlefield in molten light.
Yet for every demon he defeated, two more emerged. The army was endless, relentless.
Ryou stepped beside him, staff blazing.
"Kanji… you cannot do this alone! You must lead the monks and direct the wards! Control your energy… don't lose yourself!"
Kanji's aura flared higher, molten and shadow energy fusing fully. He lifted the black sword, and a shockwave of golden light erupted, sending hundreds of demons flying, clearing the courtyard for the first time since the assault began.
But far above, in the rift, Ravnos's eyes glowed brighter.
"Good… my heir awakens. Let the war begin in earnest. Let the Child of Destruction learn… the true meaning of power!"
Kanji stood tall, chest heaving, energy pulsing around him.
He was the last line of defense, the heir of destruction, and the only hope against the rising tide of the demon army.
The battle for the temple—and for the mortal realm—had escalated. And there was no turning back.
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