The Sphere of Shadows
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✈️ On the Private Jet
The hum of the engines filled the cabin, soft and steady. Raijo sat reclined, one arm draped lazily over the seat, the other resting on the armrest beside Yumi. She leaned toward him, her eyes catching the faint glow of the city lights below.
"So," she asked, voice calm but curious, "what will you do with your time now that the academy is closed for a week?"
Raijo didn't even blink. His reply was smooth, almost bored.
"I'd be too busy fucking you to be worried about school."
The words hung in the air like a blade. Yumi froze, her cheeks flushing crimson. She bit her lip, trying to suppress the smile tugging at the corner of her mouth. For all her power, for all her composure, Raijo was the only one who could disarm her so easily.
She turned away, hiding her blush. "Idiot…"
Raijo smirked, closing his eyes. "You love it."
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🛬 Arrival in Tokyo
The jet touched down at Haneda Airport. The runway lights gleamed against the night sky, and the air was crisp with winter chill. As the doors opened, Yumi's personal guard lined up in formation — armored, disciplined, and radiating killing intent. They bowed as she descended the steps, Raijo at her side.
The crowd parted, whispers echoing. The Shadow King walking beside the Witch of Light — it was a sight that drew eyes, even among elites.
But then—
A ripple in the air.
A girl stepped forward, her presence subtle yet undeniable. Long hair, dark eyes, a smile too calm for the chaos she carried. Before anyone could react, she raised her hand.
BOOM.
A sphere of pure darkness enveloped her and Raijo, swallowing them whole. The guards shouted, blades drawn, but their strikes bounced uselessly off the orb. The harder they hit, the stronger it became. Yumi's fists slammed against it, her aura blazing, but even she knew — this barrier wasn't breaking.
Inside, Raijo stood face-to-face with the girl.
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🌑 Inside the Orb
The air was heavy, thick with shadow energy. Raijo tilted his head, studying her. She smiled, bowing slightly.
"You've grown well," she said softly. "Better than I expected."
Raijo raised an eyebrow. "And you are?"
She straightened, her smile widening. "Stella Rosa."
Her voice carried a strange mix of warmth and malice. "I've been watching you. And now… I'll be killing you."
Raijo sighed, cracking his knuckles. His expression didn't change — calm, almost bored.
"I haven't killed a cutie before," he said. "Wonder what I'll do with you."
Stella giggled, her eyes gleaming. "You'll try."
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💥 Outside the Orb
Yumi's panic was palpable. She struck the barrier again and again, her aura flaring bright enough to blind the guards. But it was useless. She knew it. Still, she couldn't stop. She couldn't sit idle while Raijo was trapped inside.
Then — a rumble.
The ground split open at the far end of the airport. Mana surged violently, twisting reality itself. A Gate tore open, its edges jagged with crimson light. The aura pouring from it was suffocating.
S-Rank.
Yumi's eyes widened. She was strong enough to close it alone, but Raijo… he was trapped. She clenched her fists, teeth gritted.
"Damn it…"
She turned, sprinting toward the Gate. Her guards followed, blades drawn, but she waved them back. "Stay here! Protect the civilians!"
She alone would face it.
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🌌 Back Inside the Orb
Stella's aura flared, shadows swirling around her like a storm. Raijo stood unmoved, his own aura pressing back, the weight of his shadow army lurking beneath the surface.
"You're calm," she said, tilting her head. "Even when death stares you in the face."
Raijo smirked. "Death doesn't scare me. It follows me."
She chuckled. "Then let's see if it catches you."
She lunged, her blade forming from pure shadow. Raijo caught it with his bare hand, sparks flying. His grip tightened, and the blade cracked.
"Cute trick," he said. "But you'll need more."
Stella's smile didn't falter. "Oh, I have more."
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🔥 At the Gate
Yumi stood before the swirling vortex, her aura blazing like a sun. The Gate pulsed violently, spewing monsters — wyverns, ogres, and shadow beasts. She raised her hand, chanting softly, her magic weaving into a seal.
The monsters charged.
She didn't flinch.
Her aura exploded, a wave of light incinerating the first wave instantly. The ground shook, the Gate trembled, but it held. Closing it would take time — time Raijo didn't have.
She glanced back at the orb, her heart pounding.
Hold on, idiot…
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🌑 The Duel in Shadows
Stella's strikes were fast, precise, each one laced with killing intent. Raijo dodged effortlessly, his movements fluid, his smirk never fading. He countered with a single punch, the shockwave cracking the orb itself.
Stella staggered, eyes wide. "Impossible…"
Raijo stepped forward, his aura surging. "You think you're the hunter. But you're just another shadow waiting to kneel."
He raised his hand.
"Arise."
The orb trembled as his army began to claw their way into existence, shadows spilling across the floor. Stella's smile faltered for the first time.
"You… you can summon inside this?"
Raijo's grin widened. "I can summon anywhere."
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⚔️ Parallel Chaos
Outside, Yumi fought desperately, her aura blazing brighter with every strike. The Gate resisted, its power immense, but she pushed harder, her determination unyielding. Civilians screamed, guards clashed with monsters, and the airport became a battlefield.
Inside, Raijo pressed Stella back, his shadows overwhelming her. She fought fiercely, her blade cutting through dozens, but Raijo himself was untouchable. Every strike she made, he countered. Every trick she tried, he broke.
Finally, he stood over her, his hand glowing with shadow flame.
"You wanted to kill me," he said. "But you're not even close."
Stella's eyes narrowed. Then, to his surprise, she smiled again.
"Good," she whispered. "That's exactly what I needed to see."
And before he could strike, she vanished — dissolving into shadow, leaving only her laughter echoing in the orb.
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🌌 Aftermath
The orb shattered, collapsing into dust. Raijo stepped out, his aura fading, his expression calm. Yumi, exhausted but victorious, sealed the Gate behind him, her body trembling from the strain.
Their eyes met.
She rushed to him, fists pounding his chest. "Idiot! You just let her trap you like that?!"
Raijo caught her wrists, pulling her close. "Relax. She was just testing me."
Yumi glared, tears threatening. "You don't get it. You're not invincible."
Raijo smirked. "I'm close."
She sighed, resting her forehead against his chest. "One day, that arrogance will kill you."
He wrapped an arm around her, his eyes scanning the horizon. "Maybe. But not today."
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🌑 Epilogue – The Watchers
Far away, in a chamber of shadows, Stella Rosa knelt before the masked figure. Her body trembled, her smile gone.
"He's stronger than we thought," she whispered. "Too strong."
The masked man nodded. "Good. That makes him worth breaking."
Stella looked up, her eyes dark. "But he's dangerous. If I get too close—"
"Then don't fall in love," the man said coldly. "Just keep playing your part."
Stella lowered her head. "Yes… master."
The end.....