Falco disappeared.
In the next instant, he was already standing before the Special Darkside Spirit.
BOOM.
His fist slammed directly into the creature's face.
The impact sent it flying through the forest, smashing through one tree after another.
Ten.
Twenty.
More than fifty trees were destroyed as the Special Darkside Spirit tore through the forest before finally crashing into the ground, leaving a long trail of broken earth behind it.
Far away, the Head Captain sensed the sudden burst of Renshi.
"What incredible Renshi power..."
He was currently locked in combat with another Special Darkside Spirit.
"This is insane."
His eyes narrowed as he sensed Falco's energy again.
This isn't the aura of a Darkside Spirit...
He studied the strange energy.
And it's far too dark to be ordinary Shinra Renshi.
Suddenly, a massive, crescent-shaped black attack descended from above.
The Head Captain raised his sword.
CLANG.
He blocked the attack, but its force drove him several steps backward.
"Captain, don't let your guard down."
The Assistant Captain's warning rang out.
"I won't."
The Head Captain's expression hardened.
"Switch to Sword Change One."
Renshi exploded from his body.
Two large wings formed on his back, and another glowing blade materialized in his left hand.
He shot into the air just as the crescent-shaped attack came toward him again.
Crossing his two blades, he faced the incoming strike.
"Enough."
He swung.
SLASH.
The black attack split cleanly in two.
The Head Captain looked down at his opponent.
"This is the end for you."
---
Meanwhile
The Special Darkside Spirit slowly pulled itself from the rubble.
Broken trees lay scattered around it.
It wiped the blood from its mouth and smiled.
"What incredible Renshi..."
Its gaze settled on Falco.
"I haven't felt anything like this in a very long time."
Falco was already charging toward it, Dark Renshi swirling around his body like a raging storm.
The Special Darkside Spirit's smile disappeared.
"I guess playtime is over."
A black, dragon-shaped mark suddenly appeared on its forehead.
Darkness spread from the mark, crawling across its face and body.
Then a tail burst from its spine.
The creature lowered its body, preparing to fight.
"Let's end this, lowly human."
Falco reached it first.
His fist shot forward.
The Special Darkside Spirit blocked.
Falco struck again.
And again.
The creature answered with a relentless series of punches.
BOOM.
Their fists collided.
BOOM.
They exchanged another powerful blow.
Neither gave the other an opening.
Then the Special Darkside Spirit's tail suddenly lashed out and wrapped around Falco's legs.
"What..."
The creature yanked him off the ground, swung him overhead, and slammed him into the earth.
BOOM.
A crater formed beneath him.
Falco groaned in pain.
Before the creature could attack again, he gathered Renshi around his hand.
A dark blade formed.
SLASH.
Falco cut through the tail.
He immediately surged forward and swung his blade across the creature's torso.
The Special Darkside Spirit staggered.
Falco prepared to strike again, but something caught his attention.
The severed tail was already growing back.
Within seconds, it had completely regenerated.
The creature grinned.
"You're no match for me."
Dark Renshi gathered around both its arms.
Two bone blades emerged from its elbows.
Falco's eyes widened.
The Special Darkside Spirit attacked with all three weapons at once.
One blade swept in from the left.
The other came from the right.
Its tail struck from behind.
Falco blocked the first attack, then the second, but the tail forced him to leap aside.
He barely avoided it.
The creature pressed forward without giving him a moment to recover.
Falco's movements began to slow.
His breathing grew heavier.
I can't... keep up.
His arms were growing numb.
My stamina is fading.
Another strike nearly caught him.
Then the faces of his family flashed through his mind.
The boys...
Elijah.
Marcus.
Alfie.
Margaret.
Falco gritted his teeth.
I can't die like this.
The Special Darkside Spirit attacked again.
This time, Falco caught both of its arms.
His entire body trembled under the strain.
He gathered as many Renshi as he can.
"I can't die yet."
He pulled the creature closer.
Then---
BOOM.
Falco drove his head into its face with everything he had.
A violent burst of Dark Renshi exploded between them.
The Special Darkside Spirit was sent flying once more, crashing through the forest and traveling even farther than before.
Falco dropped to his knees.
He could barely breathe.
"I... I hope that was enough..."
He stared at his trembling hands.
"All this time... I haven't used my Renshi."
His breathing grew weaker.
"I've gotten so rusty..."
He struggled to remain conscious.
"I can't hold on much longer."
"My body can't take any more Renshi."
For a moment, everything fell silent.
Then a voice came from the distance.
"Did you say something, human?"
Falco's eyes widened.
"I couldn't hear you."
The Special Darkside Spirit stepped out from between the trees.
It didn't even appear seriously injured.
Falco's expression fell.
The creature smiled and appeared directly in front of him.
"My turn."
Its tail shot forward.
SHK.
It pierced straight through Falco's stomach.
"AAAGHH."
Falco screamed as blood spilled from his mouth.
His hands trembled while he stared at the tail protruding through his body.
"It... can't be..."
He struggled to draw a breath.
"That attack should've ended you..."
"I told you already."
The Special Darkside Spirit lifted him into the air.
"You're no match for me."
It pulled Falco closer.
"Now, be silent..."
"...and let me devour you."
---
Far Away
The Head Captain suddenly sensed Falco's Renshi beginning to fade.
His expression changed.
"I need to move."
He looked toward the direction of Falco's energy.
"He might be an ally."
The other Special Darkside Spirit's was still present.
I have to finish this one now.
The Head Captain crossed his two swords above his head.
The Assistant Captain's eyes widened.
"You're going to use that technique?"
He glanced toward the surrounding forest.
"You might destroy the entire forest."
"I can't take any chances."
The Head Captain raised both blades.
"Step back."
The Assistant Captain immediately obeyed.
"Understood. I'll support our court."
The Head Captain's Renshi exploded outward.
He tightened his grip on both swords.
"Sword Technique..."
The forest trembled.
"Absolute Erase."
---
Meanwhile
The Special Darkside Spirit held Falco high in the air, its tail still buried in his stomach.
"Goodbye, human."
It smiled.
"You put up a decent fight."
Its eyes narrowed.
"But it's over."
Falco's body trembled.
Through clenched teeth, he forced out his final words.
"You monster..."
He struggled to breathe.
"I make you a promise..."
His eyes hardened.
"My son will find you..."
He coughed up blood.
"...and end you."
The Special Darkside Spirit paused.
"Your son?"
Falco closed his eyes.
"I've kept this power hidden from him..."
His voice grew weaker.
"...because it's a power of darkness."
He slowly opened his eyes again.
"But not anymore."
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"I approve it now."
"Alfie will become a Shinra..."
His voice nearly disappeared.
"...and eliminate all Darkside Spirits."
The Special Darkside Spirit's eyes lit up.
"Oh?"
It smiled.
"A son with this kind of Renshi?"
Its hunger intensified.
"Another jackpot."
Dark Renshi began flowing from Falco's body into the creature.
Falco screamed as his power was ripped away from him.
"AAAAHHHH."
His vision began to fade.
Stay strong, my boys...
I'm sorry I won't be able to see you grow.
His thoughts drifted toward Margaret.
Forgive me, wherever you are, Margaret.
His eyes slowly closed.
I guess... this is where my journey comes to an end.
---
Back in Their Hometown
The blacksmith shop was quiet.
Inside the forge, the fire flickered softly.
Elijah suddenly turned toward Alfie.
"Big brother..."
Alfie stood completely still.
"What's wrong?"
Alfie didn't answer immediately.
His hand slowly moved toward his chest.
"I don't know."
Unease crept across his face.
"I just..."
He looked into the distance.
"I have a bad feeling."
Marcus entered the blacksmith shop and stopped when he saw his two brothers.
He placed a hand against his chest.
"I'm feeling really sad too."
Alfie looked at him.
Marcus returned his gaze.
Elijah stood silently between them.