The night sky above the temple darkened, swirling with shadows that seemed to stretch across the mountains.
The air trembled as if the world itself feared what was about to arrive.
Ravnos appeared—not through the forest, not through the air—but from a rift between realms.
The portal tore open like a wound in reality, black and pulsating with fire. Jagged shards of energy fell to the ground as the earth cracked beneath his presence.
The monks stared in horror.
"He… he's coming," Rin whispered, clutching her talisman.
Seiji drew a deep breath, muttering prayers under his breath.
Ravnos stepped forward.
Tall, regal, terrifying. His black cloak fluttered unnaturally, seeming to absorb light. His eyes burned molten gold, the same color as Kanji's, but sharper, colder, merciless. Horns twisted from his head like jagged obsidian, and a dark aura radiated from him, warping the very air.
"Kanji…" His voice rolled across the courtyard, deep and resonant, echoing through every stone and tree.
"You have awakened… but you are still weak. Still untested. Still… a child."
Kanji rose, gripping the colossal black sword. The weapon hummed, reacting to Ravnos's presence like a living thing. Energy crackled around his small body, gold and red light intertwining in molten fury.
"I'm not weak!" Kanji shouted, voice trembling but defiant.
"I will not let you harm anyone!"
Ravnos laughed—a deep, bone-chilling sound.
"Bold words for one so small. You are nothing without me, boy… nothing without your father's power, which I could have claimed. And soon… I will take it back."
Ravnos raised his hand. A surge of dark energy erupted from him, shaking the temple. Stones cracked, trees bent backward, and the wind screamed with unnatural force.
Ryou stepped forward, staff blazing.
"You will not harm this child, Ravnos!"
Ravnos's gaze flicked to the monks.
"Mortals… still clinging to fragile lives. Do you truly think you can defend him?"
The temple trembled as Ravnos moved faster than sight, appearing in front of the outer wall in an instant. With a sweep of his arm, he unleashed a wave of dark energy that shattered the wards and sent monks flying.
Kanji's hands glowed brightly, golden and red energy spiraling outward. The sword pulsed violently, vibrating in response to the uncle's power.
The two forces collided.
The ground exploded, sending shards of stone into the night sky. Lightning crackled from Kanji's aura; shadows erupted from Ravnos's presence. The sound alone was deafening, like mountains collapsing.
Ravnos smirked.
"So… this is the child of prophecy. Interesting. Let us see if you can wield what you claim."
Kanji steadied himself, feeling the sword hum like a living heartbeat in his hands.
The sword… Father… I can do this… he thought.
With a yell, Kanji surged forward. His red-and-gold aura flared, colliding with Ravnos's darkness. The clash sent a shockwave that flattened trees, cracked the courtyard, and shook the mountainsides.
Ravnos laughed again, impressed.
"Not bad… not bad at all. But can you endure this?"
From the shadows behind Ravnos, hundreds of demon soldiers began to emerge from the rift, each one more terrifying than the last. The siege was escalating, and the temple would soon be surrounded on all sides.
Kanji's golden eyes narrowed.
"I will protect them… no matter what."
The sword pulsed violently.
Chains and shadows rose from the blade, forming an ethereal armor around Kanji. The monks braced themselves.
Ravnos raised his hand, summoning a colossal wave of energy.
Kanji met it head-on, red and gold light exploding outward in a blinding clash.
The night erupted in fire and lightning.
And somewhere, deep in the demon realm, the colossal black sword awakened fully, resonating with the battle and screaming in anticipation:
"The heir… has claimed me. The hunt… begins."
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