Secrets In The Night, Pt. 2

The dust settled from Velis's final blow, and the marketplace fell eerily silent. Kiato's heart was still racing, his mind spinning from the encounter with Lady Rei and her finalwords. What did she mean by it? And then there was Velis. The power he had unleashed was unlike anything he had ever seen. It was raw, chaotic, and terrifying.

Velis exhaled, dusting off his hands. "Well, i guess we wont be seeing the last of her," he muttered, glancing at Kiato with a smirk. "Nevertheless... it looks like we're done here, for now."

But before Kiato could respond, a sharp whistle echoed through the air. The hairs on the back of his neck stood on end as he turned to see shadows shifting all around them. From the rooftops, alleyways, and the far edges of the marketplace, dozens of robed figures began to appear—cultists, their movements quick and coordinated, surrounding Kiato and Velis from all directions.

"What the—" Kiato barely had time to finish his sentence before Velis's expression hardened.

"I might have spoke too soon," Velis muttered, his eyes scanning the growing number of enemies. "This might get messy."

The cultists moved in unison, their robes fluttering in the wind as they climbed down from the rooftops and blocked every possible escape route. Kiato's grip on his sword tightened, his pulse quickening as he counted the figures closing in.

"We're completely surrounded," Kiato said, his voice low.

Velis's smirk faded as he stepped forward, his hands crackling with energy once more. "I can handle messy, but this might be a little too much even for me."

Suddenly, a voice rang out from behind them. "Oh, great, we're late!"

Kiato spun around just in time to see Juro and Kiyomi walking up casually, bowls of ramen in their hands. Juro slurped his noodles loudly while Kiyomi, with a bit more grace, was finishing hers. They looked completely unbothered by the chaos around them.

Kiyomi gave a small smile. "Sorry, we got hungry."

Juro waved his chopsticks in the air. "You know how it is. You can't face an army on an empty stomach."

Kiato blinked, completely thrown off by their nonchalance. "Ramen? Really?"

Velis rolled his eyes, clearly unimpressed. "Glad you could join us. Now, maybe you can help before we're overrun."

Juro tilted his head, surveying the situation. "Oh, wow. They really went all out, huh?"

Kiyomi sighed, tossing her empty bowl aside. "I guess we'll have to deal with this the hard way."

But before any of them could react, a booming voice echoed through the night, cutting through the tension like a blade. "Chaos Wielder!"

The cultists halted in their tracks as a new figure emerged from the shadows. He was tall, clad in robes even more elaborate than those of the cultists, with intricate silver markings that shimmered in the moonlight. His eyes were cold and calculating, his presence radiating authority. It was clear from the moment he stepped into the open that this was no ordinary cult member.

Velis's eyes narrowed as he took a step back. "You've got to be kidding me."

The figure's gaze swept across the group, landing on Kiato for a long, calculating moment before turning to Velis with a cold smile. "Lady Rei was merely a pawn whose head ill have for her failure, after she regenerates of course... I am the leader of the Cult of the Phoenix."

Kiato's heart raced as he stared at the man. "The leader?"

The man smiled, though it was devoid of warmth. "Indeed. You may call me Malakai."

Juro raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms as he studied the figure. "A cult leader? They really do come out of the woodwork, don't they?"

Kiyomi shot Juro a look but remained silent, her hand already moving to the hilt of her sword.

Malakai continued, his voice calm but filled with menace. "The loyalists you've slain served their purpose. But the true purpose of our cult has yet to be fulfilled. We seek not just the resurrection of the Dark Phoenix—but total dominion over both the spirit and mortal realms."

Velis scoffed. "How original."

Malakai's gaze hardened, ignoring Velis's sarcasm. "And you, boy," he said, his eyes locking onto Kiato with intensity. "You are the key to this. Your power will awaken the Dark Phoenix and open the gates between the realms. And once that is done, the Phoenix will be mine to command."

Kiato's blood ran cold. "What are you talking about? I'm not—"

"You don't know what you are, boy," Malakai said, his voice low and filled with dark amusement. "But soon you will. And when you realize your true potential, you will kneel before me."

Juro stepped forward, his hand resting on his bow. "Yeah, I don't think that's going to happen."

Malakai's expression didn't change. "Perhaps. But you won't be able to stop what's coming."

With a wave of his hand, the cultists surged forward once again, this time with more intensity and precision than before. Their movements were faster, more coordinated, and the air crackled with dark energy as they prepared to strike.

"Here we go again," Velis muttered, stepping into a defensive stance.

Juro slung his bow from his back, already nocking an arrow. "I hope you're ready, Kiato. Things are about to get rough."

Kiyomi drew her sword, her expression serious but focused. "Stay close."

The cultists charged with blinding speed, their attacks coming from every direction. Kiato barely had time to raise his sword before he was forced into a flurry of parries and counters, his muscles straining as he blocked strike after strike. Each cultist moved with precision, their blades aimed at vital points, forcing Kiato to fight defensively.

Juro, standing a few paces away, unleashed a volley of arrows with deadly accuracy. Each arrow struck its mark, sending cultists tumbling to the ground, but no matter how many fell, more seemed to take their place.

"Where are they coming from?" Kiato shouted, his voice strained as he deflected another blow.

Velis grinned darkly as he unleashed a wave of energy, sending several cultists flying. "This is nothing! You should see their real numbers."

Kiyomi, fighting with calm precision, dispatched cultists with swift, fluid movements. Her blade danced in the moonlight, each strike measured and controlled. "Focus, Kiato. We're not going down here."

As the battle raged on, Malakai watched from the shadows, his expression one of amusement and confidence. He didn't move, content to let his army wear the group down. But there was a gleam in his eyes—something darker, more dangerous—that suggested this was only the beginning.

Kiato felt the weight of the battle pressing down on him. His arms ached, his breath came in ragged gasps, and the sheer number of cultists was overwhelming. No matter how hard they fought, the cult kept coming, their power growing stronger with each passing moment.

"We can't keep this up!" Kiato shouted, his voice strained.

Velis, still crackling with dark energy, grinned. "You're stronger than you think, kid. Don't give up now."

As if on cue, the ground beneath them began to tremble, the air thick with an oppressive force that made the hairs on the back of Kiato's neck stand on end.

Malakai's voice rang out once more, this time filled with triumph. "The Phoenix stirs, Kiato. And soon, it will be unleashed!"

The ground trembled beneath Kiato's feet as the dark energy swirling around them intensified. Cultists poured in from every direction, moving with relentless precision. Juro, Kiyomi, Velis, and Kiato stood back-to-back, their muscles tense, their weapons drawn. The oppressive air of the battle seemed to press in on them from all sides, and Kiato could feel the weight of the fight bearing down on him.

Malakai, still standing in the shadows, watched with a cold, calculating gaze. He hadn't lifted a finger yet, and that alone was terrifying. His presence was like a dark cloud hovering over them, and Kiato couldn't shake the feeling that they were walking into something far worse than they realized.

"We need to break through," Kiyomi shouted, cutting down a cultist with swift precision. "There are too many!"

"Keep fighting," Velis growled, unleashing another wave of dark energy that sent a group of cultists flying. "We're not done yet."

But even as Velis spoke, Kiato could see the cultists multiplying—no matter how many they took down, more appeared to replace them. And with each passing second, the air grew heavier, thicker with dark mana that clung to their skin like an invisible poison.

Juro, his movements fluid and precise, fired arrow after arrow, each one striking its target with deadly accuracy. But his eyes kept flicking toward Malakai, the dangerous figure who still hadn't made his move. There was something about Malakai that unnerved him—something that reminded him of battles he'd fought in the past. The power that Malakai was holding back wasn't ordinary. It was something much darker, much more dangerous.

Malakai finally stepped forward, his voice ringing out over the battlefield. "Enough of this."

The cultists immediately fell back, retreating into the shadows as if called off by an invisible force. The sudden stillness was deafening, the absence of movement jarring after the chaos of battle. Kiato's breath came in ragged gasps as he lowered his sword, his muscles aching from the intensity of the fight.

Malakai's eyes gleamed as he looked over the group. "You've done well to survive this long. But it's over."

With a flick of his wrist, Malakai unleashed a wave of dark energy that ripped through the air, faster than anyone could react. The force of it hit like a sledgehammer, sending all four of them flying. Kiato slammed into the ground, pain shooting through his body as he struggled to get up.

Juro groaned, forcing himself to his feet despite the searing pain in his side. Velis was already back on his feet, his expression grim but defiant.

Kiyomi, clutching her sword, stood shakily beside Kiato. "We can't… we can't win like this."

Malakai's laughter echoed through the marketplace. "Foolish warriors. Did you really think you could stop me? The Dark Phoenix's power is beyond your comprehension. It will rise, and it will burn this world to ash."

Kiato staggered to his feet, his heart pounding in his chest. "We're not letting that happen."

Malakai's smile widened. "And what will you do, boy? You don't even know the full extent of your power."

Before Kiato could respond, Malakai raised his hand once more, and the ground beneath them cracked open. Dark flames erupted from the fissures, engulfing the area in a hellish blaze. The cult leader's power was overwhelming, and for the for a moment, Kiato felt a flicker of doubt.

Velis's eyes darkened, his expression more serious than Kiato had ever seen. "He's stronger than I thought. We need to end this—now."

But Malakai was already advancing, his aura pulsating with dark energy. He was like a force of nature, an unstoppable wave of destruction that threatened to consume everything in its path.

Juro, breathing heavily, took a step forward. His face was set, his eyes narrowing as he stared down Malakai. "I've had enough of this."

Kiyomi's eyes flickered with concern as she glanced at Juro. "What are you doing? Don't try to fight him one on one, you'll d-… you wont win."

Juro didn't answer right away, his gaze still locked on Malakai. "For a long time, I'd been holding back a part of himself—a power that I'd sworn never to use again. I tried to leave it along with my past, a battle I had fought long ago, a battle that left scars deeper than any wound. But now, standing on the brink of annihilation… I no choice."

He could feel the familiar energy stirring inside him, a power that he had buried deep. It was dangerous, wild, and uncontrollable—but it was exactly what they needed now.

With a deep breath, Juro's mana flared to life around him, a brilliant, glowing light that contrasted sharply with the dark flames of Malakai's power. The air around him crackled with raw energy, and for the first time, Kiato and Kiyomi saw the true extent of Juro's strength.

Juro's voice was calm, but there was an edge to it. "Stay back."

Malakai's eyes narrowed as he sensed the shift in energy. "What is this?"

Juro's bow, which had always been his primary weapon, began to shimmer with the same glowing light, but it wasn't an arrow he drew this time. Instead, a sphere of pure mana formed in his hand—an ancient ability known as the Celestial Arrow, capable of piercing through the most powerful defenses. It was a technique Juro had sworn never to use again, but now it was their only hope.

Kiyomi's eyes widened in shock. Oh no… is this what Juro meant when he said that he... hurt her?

"I don't have a choice," Juro said, his voice steady.

As the Celestial Arrow pulsed in his hand, Juro locked eyes with Malakai. The cult leader's expression shifted from arrogance to concern, sensing the danger.

"You think that will stop me?" Malakai growled, his voice laced with fury.

Juro didn't answer. Instead, he drew the glowing arrow back, aiming it directly at Malakai. The energy radiating from the arrow was immense, almost blinding, and the air around it seemed to warp and twist under the pressure.

Malakai raised his hands, summoning all his power, dark flames and shadows swirling around him like a storm. He roared in defiance, preparing to strike, but Juro was faster.

With a single release, Juro let it fly...

"Celestial Arrow!"

The attack cut through the air with a deafening roar, a streak of brilliant light that seemed to pierce through reality itself. Malakai's defenses crumbled under the sheer force of the attack, the dark flames that had surrounded him dissipating in an instant. The arrow struck him in the chest, and for a brief moment, time seemed to freeze.

Then, with a blinding explosion of light, Malakai was consumed by the power of the Celestial Arrow.

The shockwave from the blast sent dust and debris flying, the ground shaking beneath them as the dark energy that had filled the air vanished, leaving only silence in its wake.

Kiato, still reeling from the intensity of the battle, staggered to his feet, his eyes wide as he looked around. Malakai was gone—wiped out by Juro's final blow.

Juro, breathing heavily, lowered his bow, the glow around him fading. His face was pale, his body trembling from the exertion of using such a powerful technique. But there was a sense of finality in his eyes—a quiet acceptance of what he had done.

Kiyomi rushed to his side, her voice filled with concern. "Juro! Are you—"

"I'm fine," Juro said, though his voice was strained. "It's over."

Kiato stared at the spot where Malakai had stood, the weight of the moment settling over him. They had won— but deep down, Kiato knew that this wasn't the end. The Dark Phoenix still loomed on the horizon, and the battle they had just fought was only one of many.

The dust from the battle still hung in the air, the echoes of the final blow fading into the night. The marketplace lay in ruins, a silent witness to the chaotic clash that had just taken place. Juro, Kiyomi, Velis, and Kiato stood amidst the wreckage, their breaths ragged, their bodies aching from the strain of the fight.

But beyond the ruined walls of the marketplace, hidden in the shadows of a nearby alley, a figure watched them with keen interest.

His eyes, sharp and calculating, followed Kiato's every movement. The glow from Juro's Celestial Arrow had long faded, but the power it left behind still lingered in the air—a power that intrigued the stranger more than he cared to admit.

The figure leaned against the stone wall, his dark cloak blending into the shadows. His lips curled into a faint smile as he muttered to himself, his voice barely audible.

"So, you're the one," he said, his eyes narrowing on Kiato. "The one carrying the chaos spirit."

He chuckled softly, his breath fogging in the cool night air. "It's been a long time since I've sensed a power like that. And the demon hunter travels with the chaos wielder."

The stranger shifted, his gaze flickering between the group, but he made no move to approach them. He wasn't ready—not yet. His interest lay in Kiato, but there was something else, something deeper.

"A champion, huh?" he mused, his tone thoughtful. "Or at least… a potential one."

His hand tightened around the hilt of a blade hidden beneath his cloak, his mind racing with possibilities. He, too, sought to become a champion. But his path was different, his methods darker. Something inside him stirred, reacting to the energy in the air, urging him forward.

But he held back.

"Not yet," he muttered. "The time isn't right."

The stranger pushed away from the wall, his figure slipping further into the shadows. He had seen enough. The battle had proven what he already suspected. But for now, he would watch, wait, and bide his time.

"When the time comes," he whispered, his eyes gleaming with dark intent, "we'll see who the real champion is."

And with that, he disappeared into the night, leaving only the faintest trace of his presence behind.

While Kiato and the others gathered themselves in the aftermath of the battle, Velis was already slipping away, his movements quick and quiet. He cast a glance back at the group—Juro and Kiyomi were focused on tending to each other, and Kiato was still reeling from the intensity of the fight. None of them noticed as Velis melted into the shadows.

He moved swiftly through the narrow alleyways, his expression unreadable but his mind racing. He had sensed something during the battle, something that had unsettled him more than he cared to admit. The cult, the Dark Phoenix, the chaos spirits—everything was beginning to fall into place, but there was something else. Something bigger.

As Velis made his way through the dark streets, he felt the familiar pull of dark energy, a presence he had been avoiding for as long as possible. His heart quickened, though he maintained his calm exterior. He knew who he was meeting, and the thought alone sent a chill down his spine.

He reached an abandoned part of the city, a place where no one dared to wander after nightfall. The air was colder here, heavy with the weight of old, forgotten power. Velis stopped in front of an ancient, crumbling shrine, the stone worn and cracked from centuries of neglect.

The shadows shifted, and from the darkness, a figure stepped forward.

She was tall, her skin pale as moonlight, her eyes glowing with an eerie, unsettling light. Her long, flowing hair cascaded down her back, and her robes shimmered with dark energy. But it was her presence—her aura—that made Velis uneasy. She radiated power, the kind of power that reminded him of his days in the Yoki King's service.

"Velis," she said, her voice smooth and cold as ice. "I see you've been keeping yourself busy."

Velis's lips curled into a smirk, though there was unease in his eyes. "Lydia."

Lydia, a high-ranking demoness and the Yoki King's most trusted enforcer, took a step forward, her gaze piercing through him. She was as intimidating as Velis remembered, and the fact that she had been sent to deliver a message from the Yoki King himself made Velis uneasy.

"You've been playing a dangerous game," Lydia continued, her tone casual but laced with warning. "The Yoki King is… concerned about your actions."

Velis crossed his arms, trying to maintain his composure. "Is that so?"

Lydia's smile was cold, her eyes gleaming. "You've been meddling in affairs that don't concern you. The Yoki King wants you to remember your place."

Velis's smirk faltered slightly. "I'm no longer in his service."

Lydia chuckled softly, the sound sending a shiver down Velis's spine. "We both know that's not entirely true. You may have left the Spirit Realm, but the Yoki King still holds sway over you."

Velis's jaw tightened, but he said nothing.

Lydia stepped closer, her gaze never leaving his. "The Yoki King is watching, Velis. He's aware of the boy—Kiato—and the power he holds. And he wants you to stay away."

Velis raised an eyebrow. "And what if I don't?"

Lydia's smile faded, replaced by a cold, dangerous expression. "Then the Yoki King will deal with you himself."

The air between them grew thick with tension, the weight of the warning hanging heavily in the air. Velis knew the Yoki King's threats were not to be taken lightly, and the fact that he had sent Lydia—a demoness even Velis found intimidating—meant that the situation was more serious than he had realized.

For a long moment, Velis said nothing, his mind racing. He had come too far to back down now, but the Yoki King's reach was long, and he wasn't ready for a direct confrontation.

"I'll keep that in mind," Velis finally said, his voice calm but edged with defiance.

Lydia's eyes narrowed, but she said nothing more. Instead, she turned and began to fade back into the shadows, her parting words echoing in the cold night air.

"Don't make the mistake of thinking you're beyond his reach, Velis. The Yoki King always gets what he wants."

And with that, she was gone, leaving Velis standing alone in the crumbling shrine.

Velis let out a slow breath, the tension in his body easing slightly. He had survived the encounter, but he knew this was only the beginning. The Yoki King's warning was clear, but Velis wasn't one to be easily intimidated.

His gaze hardened as he looked up at the night sky. "We'll see about that."

Velis stood alone in the crumbling shrine, the cold weight of Lydia's warning still hanging over him. The encounter had left him rattled—though he'd never show it—but something new lingered in the air now. He felt it before he heard it: the presence of someone watching him.

"You're getting sloppy, Velis."

The voice came from behind him, low and filled with accusation. Velis didn't need to turn around to know who it was.

"Juro," Velis said, his voice casual, eyes narrowed. "I figured you'd show up sooner or later."

Juro stepped out from the shadows, his bow slung over his shoulder, his posture rigid with barely restrained anger. His gaze was sharp, cutting into Velis like a blade. "I've been watching you. For a while now. What are you planning?"

Velis chuckled darkly. "Planning? You make it sound like I'm plotting some grand scheme."

Juro's eyes darkened, his hand already resting on the hilt of his bow. "Don't play dumb. I saw you meeting with that demon. Lydia, isn't it? She's one of the Yoki King's lackeys, isn't she. And you—you're hiding something."

Velis turned slowly, finally facing Juro. His smirk remained, but his gaze held a dangerous edge. "And what if I am?"

Juro's grip on his bow tightened, his muscles tensing. "You've been playing your own game since the beginning. Kiato may trust you, but I don't. I've seen your kind before—always lurking, manipulating, never showing your true face."

Velis raised an eyebrow, amused. "Is that what you think of me? A puppet master pulling the strings?"

Juro's jaw clenched, his anger simmering just beneath the surface. "I won't let you use Kiato. Whatever you're planning—whatever scheme you've cooked up with the Yoki King—it ends here."

Velis's smirk widened, but his eyes remained cold. "You think you know everything, don't you? Always watching from the shadows, ready to strike down anyone you don't trust. But you don't know half of what's going on."

Juro's eyes blazed with fury. "Then explain it. Convince me I'm wrong."

For a moment, Velis simply stared at him, the tension between them thick enough to cut with a knife. But then, instead of answering, Velis shrugged, turning away. "Why bother? You've already made up your mind."

That was the final spark that set off the explosion.

With a swift motion, Juro unslung his bow and nocked an arrow in the blink of an eye. The air around him crackled with mana as he unleashed a barrage of arrows, each one aimed with deadly precision. Velis moved just as quickly, darting to the side as the arrows struck the stone behind him, leaving deep cracks in their wake.

"Fine," Juro growled, his voice low and dangerous. "I don't need your words. I'll take you down myself."

Velis's grin returned, his eyes glinting with something darker. "You're welcome to try."