**This is the finale of 'The Onerous Tribulations'. There will be another set of chapters to release soon. Updates will be available at the Tiktok @lk_official_2nd!!*
As Tokima and Nitaru began to open the door, they felt an unsettling presence. Sinister. Evil. Dreadful. Even when the slightest creak was in the door, a heavy aura caused both Tokima and Nitaru to have shivers spread across their entire body. Not wasting a second longer, Nitaru and Tokima fully opened the doors.
Akujin sat across from them, facing away from the door and looking at the smoke arising from every building, as well as the constant explosions that continued to go off. Her golden eyes sharply examined the vicinity, every motion of her eyes carefully calculated where she was looking.
"About time someone showed up, I was getting quite bored." Akujin chuckled, her grin so sinister and unsettling that Tokima gulped and took a step forward.
Akujin turned around, standing up straight from the edge of the skyscraper where she was sitting on, "Well if it isn't the two notorious Assassins that I've been searching for a long time, hm, maybe since Shinjuku a couple months back?"
Her cape flapped in the wind, her dark obsidian armor that was displayed across her chest shining brightly in the pale moonlight that broke through the smoke and thunderous clouds. Her hair was tied in a bun, the ribbon a dark yellow, almost mustard color that was also faded. Her eyes were golden yellow, and the slits of her eyes were like a cat's.
"It's been a while, Akujin," Nitaru's anger poured out into his voice, his voice strong and firm, and dangerous at the same time.
Tokima just stood there, her hand on the handle of her pistol. Her body quivered before Akujin, scared that if she looked away even for one millisecond that Akujin would dice her up into pieces.
"It sure has been. Gee, what a wonderful night it is, don't you agree?" Akujin laughed, clearly trying to make conversation despite knowing she had a murderous urge to kill both of them at that instant. Just at that moment, an explosion detonated nearby, most likely from a bomber.
"Why'd you kill my parents?" Nitaru asked, impatient for answers and getting straight to the point. "What did they have to do with any of this?" His voice quivered with pent up frustration and emotions that he never thought he bottled up for such a long time.
Akujin took a step forward, her chin sharp and upright as she approached the two. Nitaru and Tokima tensed up, preparing for any sort of attack that Akujin could unleash. Though, nothing happened besides her eyes darkening.
"I killed them because I knew that was the last thing that mattered to you, and I wanted to see you fall apart so fast. I enjoyed injecting them with a certain substance that you'll also face today. Though, I won't tell you what it is since surprises shouldn't be ruined." Akujin grinned, tapping her finger against her temple.
The wind picked up slightly, the flag on one of the spires of the skyscraper flapping furiously in the strong gusts.
Nitaru gritted his teeth, preparing a technique as he grasped the handle of his obsidian daggers.
"Nitaru, wait!" Tokima warned, unsure of what Akujin's reaction would be.
"Unforgiving Moon of Torment!" Anger took over Nitaru, slashing the air violently and the attacks cutting into the concrete below them. The slashes were precise, aimed mostly at Akujin who stood there with an amused expression.
After his onslaught of attacks, Akujin stood behind Tokima, grinning.
"That's supposedly the hero for Japan, huh?" Akujin taunted, "Doesn't even stand a chance."
"Don't underestimate him, Akujin," Tokima grinned back cockily.
Nitaru approached the two, anger filled his eyes with a murderous intent directly towards Akujin.
"Good, good, let that anger fill your endless void, Nitaru. Even if you attempt to kill me," Akujin paused. "You won't be satisfied with the outcome either way it goes."
Tokima felt a rumbling below her feet, and immediately knew what was going to happen, "Nitaru, listen to me!"
Nitaru turned his attention to Tokima, his eyes focusing onto her face. Her eyes filling with tears.
"You're the new Commander of the Assassin Organization," Tokima ran towards him, grabbing his hand desperately.
Nitaru looked at her, confused, "W-wait why-"
Tokima pushed Nitaru off the edge of the skyscraper, the wind causing his cape to flap furiously in the strong gusts. Nitaru's eyes widened as he saw the building brighten even more, pulsing with energy that he could feel as he fell down, trying to get further from the building.
Just then, the sky erupted with a powerful and unsettling groaning, the cracking of the glass and the snapping of a structure's supports. The ground shook around the building, and then it happened. Bright orange, red, and yellow burst from the windows, shattering them and exploding dangerously. Black smoke arose quickly from every crevice of the building, followed by another tremendous rumbling that then ruptured the entire building, the rooftop caving in and the whole building's structure collapsing. Nitaru's eyes filled with shock and anger, and he kept falling towards the ground that was approaching him soon. He had to think of a way to avoid the hazardous smoke as well as land safely without causing too many injuries.
The sky crackled with thunder, and rain began to pour down onto the chaos below. Nitaru figured out what he was going to do to prevent him from falling to his death. He flipped himself so that he was directed right at the ground, then he prepared a technique. The smoke rose high into the air, and thunder rumbled angrily through the dark clouds above. The rain continued its merciless pouring which continued to interrupt his thoughts. There was no chance of survival, he assumed.
He knew if he failed this technique and attempt that he would fall straight to his death. But it was worth the shot rather than just falling right to his death with no attempt to save himself. So, he prepared his technique.
"Broken Shield of the Shadow!" Nitaru gritted his teeth, attempting to stabilize his position.
The ground was approaching fast; the smoke was spreading further from the collapsed building. The question is, would he even stand a chance to Akujin if he couldn't get past something so much simpler than her?
He closed his eyes and trusted himself instead of doubting.
.
Although, he didn't know the unfortunate events that were soon to unfold.