The scene shifts to Sin, Rift's master. He was on his way to "Maris," the land where he hoped to find his sister.
"Where is it... this City of Purification?"
Sin muttered to himself as he rode Knight across the vast landscape, passing countless small villages and dense forests.
In truth, Sin had no idea where Maris was actually located. He was just traveling based on what his sister, Sylvia, had told him, which didn't make the journey any easier.
Along the way, Sin had dealt with numerous Soul Eithers, from the foolish low-levels to the mid-levels, but none had given him much trouble.
Until... Sin passed through a large city. It wasn't a capital like Stone City, but it had clearly once been a prosperous place. Now, however... it was in ruins. Debris was scattered everywhere, smoke still curled up from the remains of buildings, and the stench of burning and blood hung heavy in the air.
Sin immediately realized this tragedy had happened very recently.
He and Knight cautiously began to move through the city, searching for survivors.
After searching for a while, he found no trace of any living thing... not even a single body or a drop of blood.
"Strange... looks like there was a huge battle here, right?"
"Why isn't there anything..."
Thump... Thump...
Heavy footsteps sounded from behind Sin!
BOOM!
Knight attacked instantly! Its instincts sensed the intense killing intent even before Sin could react! A beam of black energy shot from Knight's mouth!
But the mysterious enemy simply swatted the beam away with one arm before delivering a counter-punch straight into Knight's body!
"Knight!!"
Sin yelled and immediately rushed toward Knight, because all of his weapons were inside its mouth!
But the creature pursued Sin at high speed and slammed another punch into both Knight and Sin!
FWOOM!
The smoke from the impact billowed out, obscuring what was happening within.
But as the smoke finally cleared, it revealed Sin, who had managed to block the heavy punch with his twin swords just in the nick of time!
"You..!"
Sin's face contorted with rage as he spoke in a cold voice. Now... Sin had entered his serious mode.
He slashed out with his twin swords again, forcing the creature to leap back and regain its footing.
"What are you," Sin asked, because its appearance was human, but its body was abnormally muscular and powerful. And most importantly... it wasn't a Soul Either! Sin could feel its dense, stable spiritual energy... it was definitely not a consumed soul.
Slowly... the creature removed the metal mask covering its mouth, revealing a chilling smile before it spoke...
"Hmm... there's still one left?"
"I'm truly pathetic."
"Even though I should have 'eaten' them all."
Sin raised his swords high, ready to unleash a technique at a moment's notice, while signaling Knight to prepare for a support attack.
"Who are you."
"And what do you mean by 'eaten'!?"
"Don't make me ask a second time."
Sin charged wind energy into his feet, planning to attack with maximum speed.
While the creature was still acting relaxed, Knight slammed its front paw on the ground, shattering the stone, then used its powerful tail to whip the debris straight at it! But the creature simply punched the stone fragments into dust with its bare fists.
But in that instant... Sin was already upon it! Its eyes widened slightly in surprise before it twisted its body to dodge.
But it wasn't enough! Sin's twin swords sliced its arm clean off!
It kicked back at Sin, but he easily crossed his swords to block the attack.
"Impressive... this must be the second time I've been cut like this."
After it spoke, its severed arm regenerated at an incredible speed, leaving Sin stunned.
"Regeneration... and this fast," he muttered.
"Surprised?" it mocked.
"A little... just happened to have seen something faster, that's all," Sin retorted, refusing to back down.
"Hah..!" Its face twisted with displeasure.
"Is that so... then allow me to show you the power that will kill you in a single blow."
Its arm began to transform... turning into bubbling, molten lava that dripped hideously!
"Prepare to die... you little puppy!!"