Scene 1: Demon Lord's Castle – Throne Hall
The air in the throne hall was thick—almost poisonous. A heavy silence lingered, broken only by the subtle flicker of torch flames lining the walls. Shadows danced ominously, casting warped shapes of the cloaked figures standing before the ancient obsidian throne. Each one radiated a different presence—cold, violent, twisted.
And yet... none dared speak.
At the center of it all sat the Demon Lord—a figure of terror who once could shake continents with his mere gaze.
But now... he sat slouched. His skin paler than before. His eyes lacked the bloodshot wrath of a proper awakening. And most noticeably… there was no demonic aura flowing from him.
No one said it out loud, but everyone saw it.
Weak.
The Demon Lord's voice broke the silence.
> "This… is not the strength I once held. My awakening… has been compromised."
The statement echoed through the hall like thunder, and even the Dark Peers flinched at the weight of those words.
A ripple of discomfort ran through the gathered generals—Xandros, Tym, and the rest of the Dark Peers.
Xandros, ever the volatile one, took a knee. "My lord… who dares—?"
Before he could finish, Tym, calm and composed, stepped forward.
> "It is Sakata. The so-called 'Buddha' monk. I have confirmed it."
All eyes turned to Tym.
> "He infiltrated the castle months ago under the guise of surveillance… during that time, he placed a device in the lower chambers."
He turned his head slightly, gazing at the vast chamber below the throne, as if remembering something.
> "A device that both slowed the flow of time within your chamber and blocked energy resonance from the outer world. It weakened the rebirth cycle."
The Demon Lord's crimson eyes glowed faintly.
> "So… he dared hinder my return."
Xandros growled. "Let me tear him apart, my lord."
The Demon Lord, however, raised a hand, stopping him.
> "No… not yet. He has not acted alone. I sense… there is more to this."
> "And what of this… boy… the one who wields the Dragon Flame?"
Xandros blinked. Tym responded.
> "We don't know if he's aware of his full powers… but Sakata is protecting him."
The Demon Lord's lips curled into a half-smile.
> "Then the boy… must be important."
He leaned back, resting in the throne as if plotting.
> "Summon the other Dark Peers. Prepare the first trials. And… do not interfere directly. Let the child come to us."
Tym bowed. "Yes, my lord."
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Scene 2: Aftermath of the Battle – Juichi vs. Renji
The battlefield was scorched and shattered—deep sword marks scarred the earth, trees had been vaporized into ash, and the wind carried the weight of the clash that had just ended.
Juichi stood, his breathing ragged, sword barely in hand. Across from him, Renji was down on one knee, his red spiritual aura flickering like a dying flame.
Their final attacks had collided like titans, the aftermath still shaking the ground.
Sakata's clone stood nearby, arms crossed.
Juichi wobbled but remained standing.
> "That… was insane…" he muttered, forcing a grin. "Seriously, what the hell is your training method, Pervy Sensei… near-death experiences daily?"
Sakata's clone raised an eyebrow.
> "You lived, didn't you? Be grateful."
Renji looked up, blood at the corner of his mouth, his breath uneven.
> "Tch… not bad… for someone who's just starting out."
Juichi smirked.
> "You too, pineapple-head. That last move of yours nearly cooked my eyebrows off."
A pause.
Then Renji laughed—genuine, raw.
> "I guess… I was wrong about you."
Juichi reached out a hand.
> "And I guess… I needed this fight more than I thought."
Renji took it, pulling himself up.
> "Don't think this means I'll go easy next time."
> "Please don't," Juichi said with a grin, though his legs nearly gave out.
Sakata's clone stepped forward.
> "Now that the fight is over… I can finally report back."
Juichi blinked.
> "Wait… report back?"
At that moment, the clone flickered.
And behind Juichi, the real Sakata appeared.
> "You did well."
Juichi spun around, shocked.
> "You're back?! Since when?!"
Sakata placed a hand on Juichi's shoulder.
> "Since five minutes ago. I watched the whole fight."
> "YOU WHAT?! AND YOU DIDN'T EVEN CHEER?!"
Sakata gave a faint smile.
> "Had to see if you'd survive."
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To be Continued....