The sky over the temple darkened, clouds twisting into unnatural spirals. The air trembled as the first wave of the Demon King's generals emerged from the black vortex.
Ravik, the Bone Tyrant, led the group, his armor clanking with each step, bones jutting outward like cruel spikes. Xyra, Mistress of Black Flames, hovered beside him, her body wreathed in infernal fire. Torren, Moroa, Vesh, and Kaelrith completed the circle—six nightmares walking together.
Kanji stood at the center of the courtyard, his midnight-blue blade pulsing with gold veins, molten shadow flowing along its edge. The ground beneath him cracked from the sheer weight of his aura, a fusion of demon, wizard, and celestial power.
Rin and Seiji formed protective wards around the temple, but the monk's energy trembled under the immense pressure.
Kanji's voice cut through the charged air.
"I won't let you terrorize this world! Not anymore!"
Ravik laughed, a sound like grinding stone.
"Bold words, half-breed. You'll die before your power even wakes!"
---
The First Clash
Ravik lunged, smashing the courtyard with his massive skeletal fists. Shockwaves tore the earth, shattering wards and uprooting trees.
Kanji met him head-on, swinging the reforged sword. Golden light and shadow arcs collided with bone armor, sending sparks flying. The sword hummed, resonating with his blood and the echoes of the Celestial Forge.
The force of their clash cracked the ground, throwing Kanji back several meters. But before he could recover, Xyra unleashed a torrent of black fire, molten darkness burning toward him.
Kanji leapt into the air, swinging the sword in a wide arc. The blade cut through the fire, dispersing it into harmless embers. Red and gold energy enveloped him as he descended, striking Torren's iron chains and shattering them instantly.
---
Rising Starborn Power
Kanji's aura flared, star-shaped sigils spiraling around him.
The sword's whispers grew louder—an unholy melody of destruction and creation.
"Awaken… claim your true power… become the heir of blood and stars…"
Kanji focused, fusing every part of himself: the demon blood that raged like wildfire, the wizard magic that pulsed through his veins, and the celestial energy gifted by the Starborn King.
With a roar, he swung the blade in a massive arc. A wave of molten shadow and starlight erupted, sweeping across the generals like a cosmic tsunami.
Ravik was thrown into a mountain.
Xyra's flames sputtered and died midair.
Torren and Vesh were crushed by the force, bodies disintegrating into ash.
Only Kaelrith and Moroa remained, staggering but unbroken.
---
The Demon General's Counter
Kaelrith smirked, shadows crawling across his body like living serpents.
"You think a child can match me?"
He launched forward, faster than thought, swinging a jagged black blade that crackled with corrupted magic.
Kanji's eyes glowed crimson. He met the strike with his reforged sword. Sparks of gold and shadow collided, shaking the ground beneath them.
"You were my father's rival," Kanji said, voice steady, aura blazing.
"I will not fail like him."
The two collided repeatedly, blade against blade, the sound echoing like thunder across the mountains. Kaelrith's dark power seared the air, but Kanji's fused blood held, balancing fire, shadow, and celestial energy.
Moroa hovered above, her chilling voice attempting to fracture Kanji's mind, whispering fears and memories not his own.
But Kanji stood firm.
"I am my own person!" he screamed.
His aura erupted violently. The Starborn mark on his chest blazed like a miniature sun. His sword glowed brighter than ever, cleaving through Moroa's illusions and forcing her to retreat.
---
Aftermath
The courtyard was a war-torn wasteland. Trees were splintered. Stone shattered. Wards burned away.
Kanji stood, chest heaving, sword dripping with energy. Kaelrith and Moroa retreated to regroup, signaling the other generals to pull back.
Rin and Seiji rushed forward.
"You… you defeated them all… nearly!" Rin said, trembling.
Kanji sheathed the sword slowly.
"This is just the beginning," he said, eyes burning like molten gold.
"The Demon King… he's coming for me next."
Ryou placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Your power has grown beyond anything we've ever seen. But remember… raw strength alone will not be enough to defeat him."
Kanji nodded.
"I know. That's why I'll keep growing. Faster. Stronger. I will face him… and I will win."
From the horizon, shadowy figures watched.
The first move of war had been made.
And the heir of destruction, the Starborn half-demon, had just begun to rise.
---