The crimson moon loomed over the battlefield, casting a hellish glow on the ruined streets of Capriha.
Tyrone and Lihanna stood side by side beneath its bleeding light, eyes locked on the approaching figure—Enma, her expression blank, steps steady. But just as she neared, her body convulsed—and something monstrous tore out of her spine.
With a sickening snap, a nine-foot-tall beast emerged, flesh rippling with muscle, blackened veins glowing like magma beneath its skin. It had four massive arms, a broken grin, and no eyes—just a mouth full of jagged teeth and steaming breath.
Tyrone (low): "I'll take care of the big guy. You deal with the girl."
Lihanna (raising her nodachi): "Hmm… sure you're not in over your head?"
Tyrone (grinning, hoisting his scythe over his shoulder): "Nah, this is exactly my kind of fun."
Lihanna: "Hmph. I should be saying that to you."
Tyrone: "Don't die before I'm done, alright?"
In an instant, the monster vanished from view.
BOOM!
Tyrone was launched through three buildings before he even registered the hit. Concrete exploded behind him. Glass shattered as he ragdolled through the city, his coat and half of his body suit shredded by sheer force.
Tyrone (spitting blood, smirking): "Damn… this thing hits hard."
He looked down.
The beast's massive feet stood inches from his face.
Tyrone's eyes widened. It wound up a punch.
CRACK! He barely blocked it, sliding back with his boots carving trenches in the road. They traded blows, a blur of fists and bone, until the monster smashed Tyrone upward with a brutal headbutt, then sprang above him mid-air.
SLAM! It drove its feet into his chest.
Tyrone vanished mid-impact, flipping back to his feet, skidding along the pavement.
Tyrone (grinning): "Simon says—stop."
The creature froze, confused.
Tyrone (shouting): "Dumbass!"
A dark energy slash exploded from his scythe, tearing up the streets and shattering building windows, knocking the beast back.
He didn't wait.
Tyrone blurred across the battlefield, attacking from impossible angles, striking pressure points, slipping past the beast's four arms with calculated insanity. Every time it adapted, he switched tactics. He ducked, flipped, countered, kicked it in the ribs, and laughed like he was on vacation.
Tyrone (laughing): "You can punch like a truck, but I move like jazz, baby!"
He snapped his fingers, coating the creature's eyes in darkness.
Tyrone (taunting): "Peekaboo!"
He danced between its blind swings, taking out his phone, snapping a selfie mid-fight.
The creature roared and broke free of the blindness.
It lunged.
Tyrone caught its fist, spun upward, twisted the arm behind its back, and backflip-kicked it in the chin.
But then—it got serious.
Its blows grew faster, deadlier. Tyrone dodged by inches, the fight spiraling into a chase through the entire city.
Then—
It caught his leg.
Tyrone (panicked): "…Ah, shit."
WHAM! He was smashed into the concrete like a nail.
Then hurled skyward—through a skyscraper.
He landed on one knee, gasping.
The skyscraper creaked… tilted… was being lifted.
Tyrone: "No freaking way—"
The creature hurled the entire skyscraper at him.
Tyrone dashed, shadows erupting at his heels as entire buildings collapsed, leveling a district under falling stone and glass.
Meanwhile: Lihanna vs. Enma
They stood in perfect stillness, wind brushing their hair, moonlight bathing their forms.
Enma: "…Shaken by fear?"
Lihanna (dryly): "No. You just look hideous."
Enma (eyes narrowing): "I'm better looking than you."
Lihanna (tilting her head): "Your brain works as well as your skin looks."
Enma: "…"
Lihanna: "Shaken now? C'mon. Who are you? Why are you here?"
No answer.
They charged.
Claws met nodachi. Steel and flesh howled under the moon.
Their battle had begun.