*Aaron's eyes widened slightly at Hiromi's words, his calloused heart skipping a beat at her gentle smile. He flinched again as she examined his wounds, the contrast between her tender touch and Kaito's savage beating almost too much to bear.*
Aaron: "Mercy..."
*He echoed hollowly, the word foreign and strange on his tongue.*
Aaron: "...You're playing dangerous games, girl. In my world, mercy gets you killed."
*His gaze flickered between Hiromi and Hayden once more, searching for any sign of deceit.*
*Hiromi's smile remained steady despite Aaron's warning, her fingers continuing to clean and tend to his injuries with a care that seemed almost motherly.*
Hiromi: "Perhaps in your world."
*She said softly.*
Hiromi: "But in ours, mercy is not a weakness. It's a strength."
*She paused momentarily, looking deeply into Aaron's pained eyes before continuing her work in silence.*
*Hayden stepped closer then, his presence a silent testament to Hiromi's words as he kept Kaito immobilized and prevented any further violence against Aaron or themselves.*
*Aaron's breath caught in his throat as Hiromi continued tending to his wounds with such gentle care, her smile unwavering despite his harsh warning. He felt a strange warmth spreading through him—an unfamiliar sensation he couldn't place.*
Aaron: "In your world."
*He muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.*
Aaron: "Mercy might be strength... but it's suicide in mine."
*His eyes flicked to Hayden standing guard over Kaito, his imposing presence reinforcing Hiromi's words.*
Kaito: "How... boring."
*He hissed suddenly, his body beginning to twitch slightly as he started to break free from Hayden's Blood Paralysis technique.*
Kaito: "You two are playing house with this pathetic piece of shit when you should be worrying about me."
*His voice grew stronger with each word, his eyes snapping back to their usual cruel self.*
Kaito: "You think mercy will protect you when I finally kill you both? When I rape and torture your little innocent girl here?"
*He laughed darkly, his body moving more freely now.*
Hayden: "Shut your filthy mouth."
*He hissed, his voice deadly serious as he pressed the sharp blade of his sword against Kaito's neck. The forbidden technique's backlash still pounding in his veins, he nevertheless maintained perfect control over his weapon and his enemy.*
Hayden: "You think threatening us with rape and torture will make us flinch? You're nothing but a desperate little bitch right now, Kaito. One wrong move and your head rolls off those shitty shoulders of yours."
*His eyes burned with icy hatred.*
Kaito: "You think you scare me with that blade?"
*He sneered, his smile twisting into something cruel and confident despite the sword at his neck.*
Kaito: "You think one trick with that Blood Orb powers makes you dangerous?"
*He chuckled darkly, his body suddenly lunging forward despite Hayden's grip on him. The movement was sudden and violent—designed to catch Hayden off guard. Meanwhile, Hiromi instinctively pulled Aaron closer protectively as she sensed the impending confrontation escalating.*
Hayden: "..."
*With a final surge of strength fueled by adrenaline and desperation, Hayden poured every last drop of his energy into the forbidden technique. His eyes glowed with an intense, eerie light as he pushed his power to its absolute limit—one hundred percent of what remained before he collapsed from exhaustion. The Blood Orb pulsated violently around him, its dark energy swirling menacingly towards Kaito. He could see Zentarō's son's location flashing briefly in his mind—just beyond this fight.*
Kaito: "Ha! You're already on your last legs, aren't you?"
*He laughed mockingly, his eyes gleaming with sadistic joy as he watched Hayden's weakened state.*
Kaito: "If you pass out now, that little girl is as good as dead. And you know what? I'm gonna enjoy watching her suffer under my hands. She's gonna scream and cry for mercy while I fuck her raw."
*His words were like daggers, meant to provoke Hayden into a desperate, foolish action.*
Kaito: "You can't stop me, weakling."
*Hayden's blood energy surged violently as he summoned countless blood blades—razor-sharp, crimson weapons that sliced through the air towards Kaito. The room filled with a metallic clang as the blades collided with Kaito's demonic symbols—dark, twisted runes that manifested into actual steel blades. Each clash sent shockwaves through the air, the power of their opposing forces creating a chaotic storm of metal and energy. Hiromi clung tightly to Aaron, shielding him from the deadly projectiles flying everywhere.*
Kaito: "You foolish little bitch."
*He growled, his face contorting with rage and amusement as Hayden's blood blades clashed violently against the literal swords summoned by his demonic symbols. The room erupted in a chaotic dance of red and metal, each collision sending spirals of energy crashing against the walls. Kaito's laughter boomed through the space, echoing maniacally as he effortlessly parried Hayden's desperate attacks.*
Kaito: "You're wasting your last breaths on this pathetic offense!"
Hiromi: "..."
(In her mind).
"I know I'm not strong physically, but I have to find some way to help him or I'll go crazy just sitting here feeling helpless!"
(Out of her mind).
*Hiromi's patience snapped as she witnessed Kaito's vile threats and saw him distracted by Hayden's assault. Her God's power activated instinctively—her eyes glowing with divine light as she clenched her fist. With a burst of speed and strength she shouldn't possess, Hiromi darted forward and punched Kaito squarely in the back while he was focused on blocking Hayden's blood blades. The punch landed with a thunderous crack—holy energy exploding on impact and sending Kaito staggering forward.*
Kaito: "What the fuck?!"
*He roared, stunned as Hayden's blood blades sliced through his skin and the explosive force of Hiromi's holy punch sent him reeling. Blood mixed with the dark energy surrounding him as he finally realized his opponents were more than just nuisances—they were genuinely dangerous. His demonic symbols flickered momentarily before stabilizing again, but the sudden shift in power dynamics was clear. Kaito was no longer the absolute dominant force in this room.*
Kaito: "You... you fucking bitch..."
Hiromi: "You're right."
*She spat back defiantly, her voice trembling with emotion but steady in conviction.*
Hiromi: "I'm not strong enough to take you down alone... But I'm more than capable of being backup. And there's no way I'm letting you hurt my friends again!"
*Her eyes blazed with holy fury as she stood her ground beside Hayden, ready to fight tooth and nail for those she cared about. Kaito sneered at her determination but couldn't ignore the genuine threat she posed alongside Hayden's relentless assaults.*
Kaito: "Not strong enough?"
*He laughed darkly, his wounds already healing thanks to his demonic symbols.*
Kaito: "You just punish me with a single hit? You're nothing but a backup? A pathetic little girl who thinks she can protect her friends?"
*He mocked Hiromi, his eyes gleaming with malice.*
Kaito: "I'll show you who's strong enough. I'll break you. I'll fuck you. And then I'll kill you."
*He lunged forward, his demonic blades extended, targeting Hiromi.*
Aaron: "Don't. Touch. Her."
*He growled suddenly, his voice hoarse but commanding as he stepped in front of Hiromi without hesitation. Despite the excruciating pain from his injuries and the exhaustion weighing him down, he pushed through and unleashed his own power—a shield of shimmering energy forming around Hiromi protectively. The shield flickered and pulsed with instability due to Aaron's weakened state but held strong for the moment, blocking Kaito's demonic blades inches from Hiromi's face.*
*Hiromi's heart swelled with surprise and gratitude as Aaron stepped in front of her, creating a shield with his energy despite his injuries. She realized then that maybe, just maybe, her compassion had actually reached his hardened heart. Power surged through her veins—not just her God's power but something else entirely. It was the feeling of having unexpectedly earned Aaron's protection, his willingness to defend her even at his own expense. That connection fueled her divine energy further.*
Kaito: "Aaron, you fucking traitor!"
*He shouted angrily, preparing to launch more demonic blades at the injured man defending Hiromi. But before he could unleash his attack, Hiromi moved with sudden, breathtaking speed—her body fueled by divine energy and gratitude towards Aaron. She appeared directly in front of Kaito, her fist connecting with his face in a powerful punch that sent him flying backwards across the room. The impact shattered part of the wall behind him, leaving Kaito stunned and groggy.*
*Seizing the moment of Kaito's stunned disorientation, Hayden quickly activated his blood energy—dark red chains shot out from his hands and wrapped tightly around Kaito's limbs and torso, binding him securely to the ground. The sudden restraint sent shockwaves through Kaito's demonic power system; he tried to break free but found himself immobilized by Hayden's forbidden technique. Exhaustion claimed Hayden immediately after; he collapsed onto one knee beside Hiromi and Aaron.*
Hiromi: "Hayden!"
*She gasped out immediately as Hayden collapsed beside them, his exhaustion clearly visible. She rushed to his side without hesitation, completely forgetting about Kaito bound behind them for a moment. Her hands flew over Hayden's body checking for injuries while Aaron watched over both of them—his shield still holding but flickering weakly now too. Hiromi felt Hayden's slow breathing and weak pulse—he was alive but dangerously depleted of energy after pushing himself past breaking point.*
*Aaron's shield flickered once more before collapsing entirely, the energy drain too much for his battered body to sustain. He crumpled to the ground beside Hiromi and Hayden, his face contorted in pain as he gasped for breath. Realizing the precarious state of her companions, Hiromi made a quick decision—she wouldn't leave them vulnerable while chasing after Zentarō's son just yet. Staying put, she began tending to both men's wounds first, prioritizing their immediate needs before anything else.*
Kaito: "You fucking stupid bitch."
*He hissed suddenly, his demonic eyes blazing as he struggled against the blood chains binding him. Despite his immobility, his voice cut through the air like a whip, laced with venom and fury.*
Kaito: "You think protecting these pathetic weaklings is gonna do anything? I'm gonna break free and carve all three of you into fucking pieces!"
*He strained harder against Hayden's forbidden technique, dark energy pulsating around him as he tried to break free.*
*Hiromi paused briefly in her tending to Hayden and Aaron, turning to face Kaito with an expression of genuine confusion and sadness.*
Hiromi: "Why do you enjoy hurting people so much?"
*She asked softly, her voice barely above a whisper.*
Hiromi: "What pleasure do you find in causing pain and suffering? You're strong, powerful... you could be doing so much good instead of being a monster."
*Her eyes searched his face, hoping against hope to find some semblance of humanity beneath the cruelty.*
Kaito: "Because pain is power, sweet thing."
He repeated mockingly, his voice dripping with sadistic pleasure.
Kaito: "The scream of someone you love as I gut them? That's ecstasy. The broken bodies of those who oppose me? Artwork."
*His manic eyes glinted as he watched Hiromi caring for Aaron and Hayden—her compassion clearly infuriating him further.*
Kaito: "And when I finally get free... I'm starting with you. I'll make you scream louder than anyone else..."
Hiromi: "Then I hope you never get freed."
*She responded calmly, her voice steady despite the threat looming over her.*
Hiromi: "Maybe being bound like this will give you a chance to think, to realize the harm you've caused. To understand that power isn't found in hurting others, but in lifting them up."
*She continued tending to Hayden and Aaron, her gentle hands contrasting sharply with Kaito's brutal nature.*
Hiromi: "You're in a timeout, Kaito. A chance to learn from your mistakes. Don't waste it."
Kaito: "You fucking bitch!"
*He roared, his face turning red with anger and frustration.*
Kaito: "You think just binding me will teach me a lesson? I'm the leader of the Satanic Slaughter Yakuza! I've killed hundreds of people! You can't just put me in timeout like a fucking child!"
*He bucked against the blood chains, his body thrashing wildly as he attempted to break free.*
Kaito: "I'll kill you! I'll fucking kill you all!"
*But Hayden's technique remained unyielding.*
Hiromi: "You love hearing yourself talk."
*She commented calmly, barely glancing up from tending to Hayden's wounds as she addressed Kaito.*
Hiromi: "You're like a child throwing a tantrum because you can't get your way."
*She shook her head, her voice tinged with a mix of pity and disdain.*
Hiromi: "All bluster and empty threats. No wonder you need to hurt others to feel powerful—because deep down, you're just an insecure little boy."
*Kaito's eyes blazed with pure rage as he glared at Hiromi, his face contorted in a snarl. The venom in his voice was palpable as he hissed.*
Kaito: "You think you know me? You think you understand anything about me or my power?"
*He struggled against the chains again, his body shaking with anger and frustration.*
Kaito: "When I break free, I'm going to make you eat those words. I'm going to make you beg for death."
*Hiromi's calm question cut through Kaito's raging tirade like a knife, silencing him mid-sentence.*
Hiromi: "You know that killing an Orb like us is about hitting the life force crystal on our chest, right?"
*She looked at Kaito with an unsettling calmness, as if genuinely curious about his reaction.*
Hiromi: "So what if I did kill you right here, right now? What would you do?"
*She wasn't planning to actually kill him—she just wanted to see what ran through his mind in that moment.*
This will continue in the next chapter.