📕 Chapter 15: Flames Against the Divine Wheel
Moon of the Fallen King
Thunder cracked across the sky.
The Master stood motionless on the hilltop, his blade at his side, as the colossal figure of Mahoraga loomed before him. The cursed wheel spun slowly above the beast's head, whispering of doom.
> "And so," Lucius thought from behind the broken altar, "the wheel turns… again."
His body trembled. He had never seen anything like it — not even in dreams.
A few steps behind, the Gojo and Zenin Clan Leaders watched with cruel smiles.
"Let's see what the old fool can really do," Gojo murmured.
Mahoraga roared.
The ancient wheel turned with a grinding, thunderous rhythm.
> GRRRRRR… THRRMMM…
Without fear, the Master drew his blade — not cursed, but glowing with ancestral energy.
"Adapt to this, then," he whispered, stepping forward.
With a flash of movement, he slashed across Mahoraga's chest. A line of fire followed the cut.
> SHHHHK!
But Mahoraga didn't flinch. The wheel spun once more, processing the threat.
> "The adaptation has begun," Lucius realized.
The beast retaliated with a massive swing of its arm, cracking the earth with godlike force.
> BAAAMMMM!!!
Lucius stumbled, struggling to remain hidden as the shockwaves spread.
> "He's fighting something beyond human…"
The Master backed off, his eyes fierce. He gripped the blade tightly and whispered something ancient.
> "The Crimson Ritual…"
Flames erupted around him. He struck again — a blazing arc severed Mahoraga's shoulder.
> FWOOOOOOOM!!
The Zenin Leader's expression finally shifted.
"He damaged Mahoraga…?"
But it wasn't over.
The cursed wheel rotated again. Mahoraga's burned flesh began to regenerate — stronger, now flame-resistant.
The Master crouched, breathing heavy.
> "It's learning…" he muttered.
Gojo Leader stepped forward. "Let's join the fun."
Before he could move, cursed chains burst from the ground, wrapping around Mahoraga's legs. The Master launched high into the air.
"Let's try something new."
Above the battlefield, he gathered flames into a single burning point.
Then — he slammed the fire down like a meteor.
> KABOOOOOM!
Lucius shielded his eyes. The world vanished in smoke and fire.
> "Did he… defeat it?"
The smoke cleared slowly.
From within… Mahoraga still stood.
Damaged. But its glowing eyes now burned brighter than before.
> "He adapted," the caption read.
The Zenin Clan Leader smirked. "Even flames won't save him now."
Gojo activated a barrier and rushed forward. "Let's end him together."
The three monsters descended upon the Master at once — Gojo, Zenin, and Mahoraga.
The Master parried Gojo's kick, fire bursting on impact — but a sharp blade slashed across his back.
> SHHT!
Blood spilled.
Still, the Master stayed standing, smiling through the pain.
"Still not enough."
Suddenly — the sky darkened.
A familiar cursed presence filled the air. Lucius turned in disbelief.
Floating above the battlefield, the Demon Lord Girl hovered — her glowing eyes locked on the Master.
> "Her again?!" Lucius thought, breath catching.
She raised her hand — three cursed blades formed from darkness, suspended mid-air.
Before anyone could react —
> SHING — SHING — SHING!!
The blades pierced through the Master's back.
Blood burst from his chest.
His body staggered… then toppled.
The world went silent as the Master fell from the mountain's edge — arms limp, eyes wide.
"MASTER!!!" Lucius screamed, the sound breaking through the clouds.
Time slowed.
The Master's body fell as the world faded to white.
And in that void, memories flashed — a younger version of him training alone, bleeding and smiling through every wound.
> "A warrior's path…" his voice echoed in the void,
"…isn't about winning every battle…"
His eyes began to close.
> "…It's about choosing which pain you can live with."
📘 To be continued in Chapter 16…
✅ End of Chapter 15