Chapter 8- Veil Of Shadows, Heart Of Flames

I thought it was the end—our end. But then, a flicker of hope appeared, that lady—Ruby Scarlett, was it? She showed up out of nowhere, and the way Kaito-san and Shizuka-san reacted... was she their comrade before? Or a former clan member, perhaps? My head swirled with questions, a storm of thoughts crashing into each other.

She didn't just seem powerful; she clearly knew more about Crimson and this eerie ritual he was casting. It felt like she held pieces of a puzzle we desperately needed to solve.

She saved me from Crimson's attack—turning that deadly beam into petals like it was nothing. For a moment, I truly believed she could take him down. She had to, right? Or so I thought.

But then, Crimson appeared in the sky again, silhouetted against the moon like some untouchable nightmare.

Was she... defeated? My chest tightened at the thought. If she couldn't stop him, then what do we do now?

I rushed to where she was. Crimson's punch had sent her flying hard, and the impact looked devastating. She had to be okay... she just had to.

When I got there, I saw her already standing with her hands pressed against her stomach. Her expression was a strange mix-irritation flickering behind a layer of fear. But her gaze was fixed on Crimson, sharp and unwavering, as if she was torn between anger and pain, debating whether to back down or strike again.

I ran up to her. "Are you okay?" The words tumbled out of my mouth.

She shot me a glance, her lips curling in a faint, almost mocking smile. "Define 'okay.' If you mean 'still breathing,' then yeah, I'm doing just fine." She winced slightly, clutching her side. "But if you mean 'ready to take on Mr. Winged Ego over there,' then maybe not my best day."

I hesitated. "You took a direct hit. That punch looked… brutal."

She raised an eyebrow. "Oh, you noticed? I thought I'd taken a casual stroll into the ground for fun." Then, shaking her head, she muttered, "I'm fine. Just a little... bruised. Nothing I can't handle."

I wasn't convinced. "You sure? You don't look fine."

"Kid," she said, straightening up despite the pain. "This is far from my first rodeo. I've had worse." She gestured toward Crimson, who was still hovering ominously. "Though I'll admit, he's starting to tick me off. Punching people and smirking like he's the star of some tragic villain opera."

I frowned. "So... what's the plan? Can you take him down?"

"That depends," she said, voice steady but edged with a mix of sarcasm and determination. "Are you planning to keep standing there gawking, or are you gonna help me teach him some manners?"

"Of course, I'll help!" I said, clenching my fists. "I'll do whatever I can. After all this, I can't just sit around doing nothing, can I?"

She looked at me with a spark of approval in her tired eyes. "Atta boy," she said with a small nod. "Just keep him distracted. I've got the perfect counter to crash his oh-so-glorious ritual." She paused, "Oh, and, uh, just a heads-up—he's immortal, by the way."

I blinked. "Immortal? Seriously?"

She rolled her eyes. "Yeah. Regenerates faster than your math homework piles up. But hey, that doesn't mean he's invincible. We just need to buy time."

"No pressure then."

"Don't sweat it too much. You'll do fine... probably."

"Probably?!"

"Relax, kid." She waved off. "Just keep him busy. I've got a 'special delivery' for him that he won't see coming."

"Got it. I'll give it all I've got."

"Good." Her grin turned sharp as her gaze locked on Crimson. "Let's make sure his immortal ego takes a good bruising."

"Alright. I'm counting on you, Ruby-san. And oh...by the way, my name is Takumi Hinoyama, a Hyakurensha (Hyakuren clan member). Make sure to remember it." I then shifted my focus to Crimson. This is it. No more running, no more hiding behind others. I have been a scaredy-cat all this time—always leaning on someone else, always too terrified to step forward.

But I can not stand it anymore. Something has shifted within me. I have to change. No, I have changed. Now...for real.

Clenching my fists, I stepped forward. My Seishin crackled faintly around me. My fear is still here, but it is now drowned out by something stronger—determination.

Here I come, Crimson. You'll pay for everything. This time, for sure.

I channeled flames into my clenched fists once more. But no-this wasn't enough. I have to push harder, past my limits. I poured more of my Seishin energy into every cell of my being. The fire spread across my entire body, blazing like I was a meteor crashing toward the earth.

But NO...Still not enough.

With a roar, I summoned even more Seishin, unleashing flames so intense they swallowed me whole, glowing brighter and fiercer. It felt like this meteor has now evolved to the sun itself. My flames illuminated the surroundings in a fiery brilliance. Crimson finally shot his eyes on me. My Seishin leaked so overpowerly that it caught his attention.

Out of the corner of my eye, I caught Ruby-san glancing at me, her lips twitching as though she was slightly impressed. That was all I needed. My determination hardened-I am ready.

"Crimson, this time... I promise I'll burn you down."

He hovered right in front me, his expression as cold as ever, but I could see the flicker of something in his eyes—something like recognition. He is wary of me now.

Without warning, I shot forward, faster than ever before, my fiery body leaving a trail of burning light in my trail. Crimson flicked his wrist, and dark tendrils of magic erupted out to pierce me. I twisted mid-air, dodging them with ease.

He smirked, his hands weaved through the air, casting dark spells. "Is that the best you can do, little flame? You seem to have missed the lesson—you're nothing against me."

I gritted my teeth, ignoring his mockery. The air around me shimmered with heat as I gathered more Seishin, focusing on my next move. I am not just fighting with fire anymore—I am fighting with every bit of my will.

With a roar, I thrust my arm forward, sending a torrent of fire toward him. The flames twisted like serpents, relentless and wild. He raised a hand, summoning a barrier of dark energy to block it, but I didn't stop. I slammed more fire into his barrier, pushing with everything I had.

"Enough of your tricks!" I shouted, and with a final burst of power, I released a massive wave of flames, tearing through his barrier and pushing him back.

But he recovered almost instantly. "Impressive," he muttered, his voice like ice. "But you still don't understand. This world, your strength, your flames—they're nothing compared to the true power of the Asuras."

Asuras?

I don't want to wait for him to finish. I was already in motion, rushing toward him with fiery force. My every step felt like it was fueled by the sun itself, and as I reached him, I delivered a punch imbued with flames so hot they could melt stone.

Crimson's eyes widened, but only for a split second before he vanished. My fist struck nothing but air. Again.

Damn it.

I scanned the area. Where have you gone and hidden yourself now? The moment I stopped to think, I felt it—a dark, cold presence right behind me.

I spun around just in time to see Crimson appear. He has his sinister smirk on. "You're fast, I'll give you that," he said. "But you still don't understand your limits."

Before I could react, he lunged his hand forward, summoning a dark surge of energy. I barely had time to raise my own hands in defense when a blast of shadowy beam shot toward me. It hit me square in the chest, knocking me backward and sending me crashing into the ground.

I gasped for breath, trying to shake off the shock. I could feel the heat of my Blaze weaken. But I'll not give up this time. I pushed myself up, gritting my teeth. "Weak stuff, huh?" I growled, wiping the blood from my lip. "You'll have to do better than that, Donkey."

He chuckled darkly, floating higher. "It's cute that you think you can keep up, but you're not even close to being in my league."

I already know that. I'm way out of his leagues. But still...I have to buy enough time for her. Just a bit more. His words were right, but I am not going to back down. Not now. Not after everything that's happened. I took a deep breath, focusing my energy, feeling my Seishin surge again.

"This time," I said with voice filled of determination, "I'll surely get you down."

His lips curled into a smirk. "Fufufu...," he raised his hand again, and just like that, three dark portals tore open in the sky. Unlike the smaller ones from earlier, these were huge—blackish voids with a purple-eerie boundary. From each one, a massive Oscuro emerged, far more imposing than the ones we'd been fighting all day.

"You thought it would be just me? How quaint. Meet my personal army—just a few of my backup. Let's see how you handle this," he sneered.

My eyes narrowed. He isn't just trying to kill us anymore. This is his way of playing with us. "You really think a couple of monsters are gonna stop me?" I shot back.

He raised an eyebrow. "You're adorable. Let's test that theory, shall we?" He gave a casual wave, and the three behemoth Oscuros advanced with their massive forms looming over me like shadows.

The ground trembled with each massive step they took. Each attack they threw sent shockwaves that shook the ground, but I couldn't back down now. Not when everything was at stake.

I dodged their strikes with swift, calculated movements. Their fists and claws barely missed me, leaving craters in the ground where they landed. I could feel the heat of their aggression, but I am not going to let fear take over. Not this time.

With a deep breath, I gathered all the strength I could. My fists are now burning with searing flames. My Seishin is flaring to its peak, and I let out a roar, charging at the first Oscuro. My strike landed perfectly. It staggered back, but before I could land another blow, the second Oscuro swung its massive arm toward me. I barely managed to duck and roll out of the way.

And then, through the chaos, I caught a glimpse of something—Crimson. His mocking grin is still plastered on his face, but there was something different in his eyes. He isn't just watching anymore. He is enjoying this. I knew he is waiting for me to falter.

I have to prove him wrong. I have to show him that I am not the same scared kid I was before. With a quick flick of my wrist, I summoned a fiery burst, launching it toward the nearest Oscuro. The blast exploded with intensity that sent the creature flying back. But there were still two more, and I couldn't let up.

"Fufu...is that all you've got, kid?" Crimson's voice echoed through the battlefield. "You're not even close to being worthy of fighting me."

His words are like poison. Every time I hear them, it feels like my motivation shatters a little more.

It was all so overwhelming. The three towering Oscuros are already a nightmare to deal with, and then there is Crimson, that powerhouse watching me from above, just enjoying the fun. But no, I will not stop now. I have to take down these three first, and then, only then, would I focus on Crimson. I don't care what happen to me; I will fight until my last breath.

Just as I was preparing for another strike, I heard the unmistakable sound of footsteps. Powerful, confident, familiar.

Kaito-san, Shizuka-san, and Hayato appeared aside me. I was glad they were okay. Their presence felt like a breath of fresh air. The sight of them was enough to reignite that spark of hope inside me.

Kaito-san grinned, with his voice full of that calm, confident tone I knew so well. "Leave these creatures to us. You focus on Crimson. We've got your back, Takumi."

Shizuka-san, ever the stoic, nodded. Her eyes are glowing with determination. "We'll handle these. You don't have to worry about us."

Hayato, his usual cool demeanor replaced by a quiet fire, stepped forward. "You're not alone in this fight. Go finish what you started. We've got this."

With them here, I felt so relieved. I am not fighting alone anymore. "Thanks," I muttered. "I won't let you down."

As they moved to face the three remaining Oscuros, I turned my gaze back to Crimson. He was watching with a smug look still plastered on his face, but I could see the flicker of uncertainty in his eyes. It is the time. No more hesitation. No more fear.

I am going to take him down, once and for all.

I jumped forward with all my strength, getting closer to Crimson. Thanks to Shizuka-san's magic, small green magic circles appeared under my feet, letting me walk on air and move quickly toward him. It is time to go hand-on-hand, something I know very well.

I threw punches, aiming directly at him, but to my surprise, he started fighting back the same way. Crimson shifted from his usual magics into hand-to-hand combat as well. Now, we are locked in a battle of fists. The air around us felt tense with every blow we exchanged. Both of us determined not to back down.

As I continued to clash with Crimson, I couldn't help but glance over at the others.

Hayato was locking swords with one of the Oscuros that seemed to be the toughest. His blade crackled with lightning and charge. He was a blur of speed and precision, each swing sending electric sparks flying as he kept the giant at bay. His movements were sharp, calculated—he wasn't just fighting; he was outmatching it.

Kaito-san, meanwhile, was standing a bit further back, weaving complex projectile spells that shot through the air with deadly precision. His magic was all about control—each bolt aimed perfectly, hitting the Oscuro's weak points. It was like watching a well-coordinated performance between him and Shizuka-san, who was holding up an impenetrable barrier with her own magic. Every time one of the Oscuros tried to charge forward, her defensive barrier would stop them in their tracks, leaving them wide open for Kaito-san's attack.

Together, they made a perfect pair—Shizuka-san protecting, Kaito-san attacking. Their teamwork was flawless, and I knew they were slowly gaining the upper hand. I do not need to worry.

As for me, I had my hands full with Crimson. I have to stay focused. This isn't for winning—it is for stopping his ritual, no matter the cost.

And so our battle began. I threw a quick punch aimed at his jaw, and he blocked it effortlessly, but I could see the slight strain in his eyes. Our skills seem to be evenly matched, but there was something about his movements, something off.

"You're getting faster, but not fast enough," he taunted, as he countered with a swift knee to my stomach. I grunted, but I stood my ground, refusing to be pushed back.

"No need for words, Donkey," I gritted through my teeth, dodging his next strike. "Let's see if you can keep up."

I can feel the energy building as I move, each punch landing with more precision, each block stronger. I can see through his movements now. I can anticipate his next attack before it happened. It was like my mind was in perfect sync with my body. But even with all this, I can not shake the feeling that he was definitely holding back...for some reason.

His eyes flashed briefly, and then he smirked. "Impressive. But don't think you've won yet."

I didn't let up and followed with a series of rapid punches, aiming for his face and torso.

Each one connected, and with every hit, I could feel him stumbling slightly. Yes, I am getting the upper hand now, but there is something about him that didn't add up.

Just as I was about to land another blow, he vanished, disappearing in a blur, only to reappear right behind me.

"Too slow," he said, landing a quick blow to my back. The impact sent me stumbling forward, but I gritted my teeth and steadied myself.

"I'm not done yet," I muttered, glaring at him, ready for whatever came next.

He chuckled. "You're persistent, I'll give you that. But persistence alone won't be enough to defeat me."

I turned quickly, narrowing my eyes as he stepped forward with his movements fluid and confident. He is certainly fast, faster than I initially thought, but I can feel my own abilities catching up. I ain't the same little brat anymore. I've grown.

"Don't underestimate me," I growled, rushing at him with a series of punches and kicks, aiming for his head and chest. Every strike was met with a block or counter, but I can tell he is starting to feel the pressure.

As our fists collided, there was a brief pause, a moment where I could see the strain in his eyes. He is hiding something, maybe even afraid of something. My suspicion grew stronger.

"Why are you holding back, Crimson?" I said, stepping back for a moment. "What are you afraid of?"

He froze, his smirk faltering for just a second. "Fear? No, no. You misunderstand. I'm not afraid of you. I'm just… enjoying this."

I ain't buying that. I can feel his energy, his Seishinsu. It is fluctuating. He is starting to get tired. The fight is far from over, but I can sense the shift.

"Is that so?" I said and then with a roar, I lunged at him again, using the momentum to land a solid punch to his side. He staggered back and his eyes narrowed in a mix of surprise and irritation.

"Impressive," he sneered. He wiped a trickle of blood from the corner of his mouth and gazed it with ire in his eyes. "This is where it ends. Takumi."

Before I could react, his body started to crackle with dark energy, his power arose in a burst. I braced myself strong enough, but the force was so ominous, it sent me skidding backward. He isn't holding back anymore.

The impact of his Seishinsu is utterly overwhelming. I caught my breath and regained my footing at some distance. Then, he finally spoke—his voice dark, cold. "Enough for the day."

With that, he raised his hand, glowing with dark pulse, to shoulder level, Seishin swirling around his fist. And then...in an instant, a massive wave of shadowy power rose up from the ground below me, hitting me like a mosquito. I was slammed back hard, but that wasn't the end. The pulse kept rising, as if the very shadows around me are alive, being manipulated by Crimson's will.

I tried to dodge, but it was too much. The shadowy pulses lashed at me relentlessly—slapping me from all sides, from the buildings and the ground beneath. His power was overwhelming, every strike bringing more destruction. It felt like I couldn't escape it. The surroundings were torn apart, buildings collapsing as the dark energy tore through the city.

He in't holding back anymore—he is using everything he has. But why now?

Glancing at the horizon, I see it. A very faint light beginning to rise. Morning was near. I realized then why he is speeding things up. The blood moon—he has to finish his ritual before it disappeared. After playing around for so long, he is now finally getting serious.

Crimson's voice then echoed as mocking as ever. "Do not get too carried away, thinking that you've bought yourself enough time. I deliberately wasted it all to amuse myself. After all, this was your final performance, wasn't it?" He gave a chilling laugh, his words dripping with disdain. "And now, with the dawn approaching, I will accelerate the process."

With a swift motion, he cast another spell. Dark, palm-shaped shadows materialized from the ground, grabbing me and the other three. They coiled around us, binding us tightly, leaving us unable to move an inch. The weight of the shadows was suffocating.

"This should keep you in check," he said, his gaze scanning the area. "And as for the witch..." He paused, a slight frown crossing his face as he searched. "Hmm? She has vanished? A rather clever little traitor, isn't she? Takumi." His tone held no concern, only a casual dismissal. "No matter. I have no use for her."

He turned back to face us, his expression cold and resolute. "No, at last, I shall complete my task without any further interruptions. Hahaha..."