Chapter 11- Lightning’s Redemption

The first wave crashes into us like a dark tide, Oscuros pouring out of the portal with their hollow, fiery red eyes and ink-black bodies gleaming in the eerie bluish light of the torches on the walls. Each step they take echoes, amplifying their heavy, slow march.

Hayato and I are already gasping for air. Our sweat is mingling with dirt and blood. Every muscle in my body screams for rest, but rest is a luxury we can't afford now.

"Stay sharp," Hayato mutters, gripping his sword tightly. The faint crackle of his lightning is flickering weakly around him. Even in this state, he looks calm. His sharp eyes, fixed on the incoming swarm.

I force myself to focus, clenching my fists. My flames ignite—weak, but still burning. "Here they come."

The Oscuros advance with their guttural roars. The first one lunges at me. I dodge and counter with a flaming punch. The creature growls as it burns and collapses into ash.

Beside me, Hayato moves with precision. His blade cuts through them, sparks flying as his strikes land. "Keep your strikes clean. Don't waste energy."

"Yeah, yeah," I reply, ducking under another Oscuro's swing. My fist connects with its chest and fire engulfs it as I push forward. "Easy for you to say, sword guy."

"They're slow. Use that," He says, slicing down another Oscuro. Damn, his movements are quick and efficient despite his exhaustion.

The wave seems endless, more Oscuros pour from the portal with every passing second. My breathing gets heavier, and my flames flicker dangerously low. One of them manages to grab my arm, its strength making my bones feel like they'll snap.

"Not today buddy!" Flames erupt around me. The Oscuro recoils, but its grip weakens just enough for me to break free and finish it off with a blazing uppercut.

"Fight, Takumi!" Hayato snaps as he destroys two more Oscuros. "You can't afford to slip up now."

"I know!" I shout back, gritting my teeth as I push myself harder.

The area has turned into a battlefield of ash and flickering bluish light. The Oscuros keep coming and relentlessly attacking. Each strike, each movement, feels heavier than the last. My legs are giving up, but I have to push forward.

"Hayato," I call out, panting. "This isn't just a wave. It's a flood."

"Doesn't matter," he replies, "If it's a flood, we'll be the dam. Hold the line."

I smirk despite the situation. "You really know how to fire a guy up, huh?"

He doesn't respond, but there's a faint smile on his face as he steps forward, ready for the next onslaught. I take a deep breath, reigniting my flames. No matter how tired I am, I'll not back down. Not until this portal is gone.

"Bring it on."

I take a deep breath, forcing more Seishin to ignite. An Oscuro charges toward me, but this time, I'm not dodging.

"En Seishin... Kaen Fubuki!"

Spirit of Fire... Flame Blizzard.

Flames explode from me in every direction, spinning like a storm of fiery embers and sparks. The air is crackling as the heat intensifies. The surrounding atmosphere is turning into a suffocating furnace. The flames twist, flare and whirl like a wild blizzard that is shredding the air with scorching gusts. The Oscuros are overwhelmed by the chaotic torrent of fire that is engulfing them from every angle. Their ink-black bodies burn away, turning to ash as the fire devours everything in its path.

"Raiden Seishin..."

Spirit of Lightning...

At the same moment, Hayato steps forward. His sword flashes through the air.

"Kōzan!"

Light Slash.

His blade meets the oncoming Oscuros with overwhelming speed, cutting through them effortlessly. Each swing sends a surge of electricity crackling through the creatures that fry them in an instant. The air is filled with the sharp scent of ozone as the discharges burst on impact. The Oscuros' dark bodies shudder and disintegrate as the lightning rips through them.

The two of us stand side by side, the storm of fire and lightning raging around us. The battlefield is a blaze of light and heat. It's a chaotic fusion of raw power. The Oscuros' numbers falter. But I can see it—they're still coming, relentless, like waves crashing against the shore.

We can't stop now.

Hayato exhales sharply, wiping sweat from his forehead. "We don't have much time," he says. "There's no choice. I'll clear a path for you to get to the portal. You go burn it, and I'll handle the rest of these bastards."

I hesitate for a moment. "But what if—?"

"No time for buts," He interrupts. "It's your mission to destroy it. Do it now."... "I'll deal with these Oscuros. Just move fast."

I nod, my fists clenched as I prepare myself for what comes next. "Understood."

He doesn't waste another second. His focus sharpens, and I can feel the electric charge in the air and a storm gathering around him.

"Raiden Seishin... Yamirashi Raikiri!"

Spirit of Lightning... Abyssal Thunderstrike.

In an instant, his sword arcs through the air with a blinding flash, the ceiling cracking open as a dark, powerful lightning strike tears down from the heavens. The thundering explosion that follows echoes like the roar of a beast, shaking the very ground beneath us. The pulse of energy spreads outwards, a wave of destruction that ripples through the entire battlefield.

The Oscuros don't stand a chance.

Every single one in the area is obliterated in an instant. Their bodies have disintegrated into nothingness by the electricity. The force of the attack is so intense that the very air crackles with residual energy and the ground cracks with the aftermath. A stunned silence follows, broken only by the crackle of lingering static.

I stand there, momentarily breathless from the sheer magnitude of his attack. Hayato lowers his sword, still calm despite the devastation.

"Go," he orders, "I'll deal with the incoming ones. Just move quickly."

Without another word, I turn and dash toward the portal. Every muscle in my body protests, but I can't stop now. The portal is the key. I have to destroy it—no matter what.

I am ready to finish this. I lunge forward with a blazing punch, but just as I'm about to land the blow on the portal, a strange sensation pulses through the air—a dark, ominous Seishinsu, one that makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.

I freeze, my hand hanging mid-air.

Something's wrong.

I glance over my shoulder—and what I see behind makes my blood run cold.

H-Hayato... his body is shifting. The ground is trembling as a dark aura begins to rise around him, a swirling, inky mist that pulses with malice. My breath catches in my throat as I watch in horror. One of his eyes has turned red, glowing with a sinister light. His normally calm expression is twisted with struggle. And his body is jerking as though fighting for control.

"No... no way."

Hayato's body is slowly morphing, the transformation is unmistakable. He's turning into an Oscuro—just like the bear and the human earlier. But they were already dead. Hayato... He's still alive. Why is this happening?

The Seishin radiating from him is unlike anything I've ever felt, almost as strong as Crimson's.

His aura is enough to crack the very walls of the cave. The air has thickened with a malevolent energy, suffocating me hard. But it's Hayato—how the hell is he transforming into an Oscuro?

I watch stunned, as his body moves on its own, his limbs jerk unnaturally, walking slowly toward me.

"Takumi..." he finally speaks up. "The portal... destroy it... and run. As fast as you can... forget about me."

I stare at him, frozen in place. His words hit me like a brick. I can't... I can't just leave him like this. Not when I know he's still in there, struggling against this thing. But his body? It's like... not his anymore. It's turning against him, forcing him to move, to walk toward me. His each step is like a painful reminder of the fight he's losing.

"I knew this was going to happen," he continues in a cracking voice. "Just... don't look back, Takumi. Please."

His words hang in the air. I feel a cold chill creep over me, and yet, my feet refuse to move. I just... can't leave him here like this. No, I can't.

His voice breaks again. "Takumi... please listen to..."

The last of his sentence is lost in the sound of his body shifting. He's almost fully an Oscuro now. With a distorted form, the red in his eye gleams like a haunting beacon in the darkness.

I'm torn and my chest is aching. Every part of me wants to help him, to fight for him, but I know... I know he's asking me to let him go. To save the world, to stop this madness.

I look at him one last time—his face is still recognizable beneath the darkness consuming him.

"I'll bring you back to normal. I swear, Hayato."

With one final glance, I turn and charge toward the portal, my fist crackling with flames, ready to destroy it. But just as my punch is about to land, something catches my wrist-a firm, cold grip that stops my hand in its tracks.

My heart skips a beat as I look behind in shock. Hayato...? Even as an Oscuro, his speed is insane.

He's standing here, just a few inches away from me. His aura is suffocating, so much darker than before, and now he's behind me in the blink of an eye.

"Hayato...?" My voice is trembling, as I struggle against his grip.

Without a word, He twists my arm, throwing me across the cave with surprising strength. I slam against the cave wall, my body crashing into the rocks, pain coursing through me. My breath hitches, and before I can recover, I see Hayato advancing toward me in an unnaturally quick movement for an Oscuro.

"W-what the hell?!" I gasp, pushing myself to my feet. He's not himself. This... this isn't Hayato anymore.

But his eyes, despite red—they're full of that same calm resolve, the same intensity. Only now, it's like he's a completely different, an Oscuro with Hayato's face.

I barely have time to react before he charges at me again. His body surges forward with raw, uncontrollable strength. He slams his fist into my chest, knocking the wind out of me, and I stumble back, barely managing to keep my footing.

He doesn't stop. His strikes are relentless, fueled by strength I've never felt from him before. Every blow lands like a sledgehammer on me, sending shockwaves through my body.

I can't keep up. I'm too slow. He's too strong.

I raise my arms to block the next blow, but he grabs me by the wrist again. He throws me aside with a brutal flick of his wrist, sending me crashing into the rocks once again.

I'm dizzy, gasping for air, and confused. I can't understand what to do now. Hayato... the Oscuro, it's trying to protect the portal.

I push myself up. He's still coming. His form shifts as his powers grow more unpredictable. The next moment, a burst of lightning crackles around him, and his sword materializes in his hand—Hayato's sword, but now infused with dark lightning.

"Raiden Seishin... Kōzan."

Spirit of Lightning... Light Slash.

His voice is a distorted version of his own, but still, I can hear the words clearly.

He swings the sword with blinding speed. The blade leaves a trail of electricity in its trail. I barely have time to react as the slash cuts through the air, sparking across my chest. The pain is excruciating, and I'm thrown back. My body burns from the electrical shock.

My own flames are flickering weakly around me. I can't keep up anymore. This... this isn't like a normal Devoid like the bear or the human. But still it is Hayato. The power... he's no longer human. His movements are flawless, and every strike lands with devastating precision. My defenses feel useless against him.

I backpedal, desperately trying to create some distance, but his speed far outmatches me.

What do I do? How do I stop him?

He swings again. His sword crackles with lightning, and I raise my arms just in time to block. But the force of the blow sends me flying, crashing into the cave wall with a dazing impact.

I can't think. I can't fight. I can't even understand what's happening. This isn't Hayato. It's something else. And I... I can't keep up.

My heart races, my mind spins in confusion. How did it come down to this? How could this happen? How do I fight against him?

He's coming again, his sword raised, and I can see the lightning charging in the air. I brace myself, knowing I have no choice but to face him.

But I don't know what to do.

I raise my arms just in time to block. The sword sparks off my flaming shield. The impact sends waves of pain through my body.

"Hayato!" I shout. "This isn't you! Snap out of it!"

I roll to the side, narrowly dodging another slash. My body shakes with exhaustion, but I won't give up. I can't.

"Hayato!" I yell again, desperate. "Come on! You're still in there! I know you are! You've gotta fight this!"

His eyes are bloodshot, glowing with that eerie red hue. There's no recognition in his gaze. Just the dark, crushing force of the Oscuros.

"Hayato, please!" My words are a plea, but I don't know if he can even hear me anymore. "You're not like this! You're... you're my friend!"

I dodge another attack, barely managing to roll away from the dark lightning-infused sword. My heart is racing, my thoughts are scattering. How do I get through to him? What can I do?

"I won't leave you!" I shout, standing tall despite my shaky legs. My flames flare up, bright against the darkness. "I'm not going anywhere, Hayato! You're not alone in this!"

He doesn't respond. His sword comes down again, faster this time, almost too quick for me to react. The tip of the blade grazes my side, and I cry out in pain, but I push forward.

"Hayato! You've gotta fight it!" I scream, forcing my words through the cracks in my chest. "You're stronger than this! We've been through too much together! I know you can hear me! Come on!"

I barely have time to breathe before he attacks again. This time, his dark lightning-infused blade cracks the ground beneath me, sending sparks flying. But I stand my ground, and shout one more time.

"Hayato! Don't let them take you!"

But he doesn't stop. His relentless strikes keep coming, each one heavier and faster than the last.

He leaps forward with his sword crackling with dark lightning. The cave trembles as he brings it down. I cross my arms, summoning the last of my fire to shield myself, but the force of the blow shatters through it, sending me flying backward. I hit the ground hard.

"Aghh... Hayato! Please!"

He strides toward me again. His aura is so heavy it feels like the air itself is weighing me down. His red eye burns with an unnatural glow, and for a split second, I see something—hesitation? Pain?—in his expression. But it's gone as quickly as it appeared, replaced by the cold, unrelenting gaze of an Oscuro.

He raises his sword, ready to strike me down. My instincts scream at me to move, but my body refuses. I'm too tired, too drained. I can only stare up at him, my heart pounding.

"I'm not giving up on you," I whisper. My flames flicker weakly around me. "No matter what happens, I won't leave you."

The sword comes down, and I roll to the side at the last second. The blade slams into the ground, sending cracks spiderwebbing through the stone. I scramble to my feet, clutching my side where a shallow cut bleeds into my cloth.

"Hayato!" I scream, tears welling in my eyes. "You're my friend! My brother! Snap out of it! I beg you!"

For a moment, he freezes. His body trembles, and his sword lowers slightly. That red glow in his eye flickers, like a flame struggling to stay lit.

"Takumi…" he whispers in a strained voice, almost human. My heart skips a beat. Is he breaking free?

But then the dark aura around him surges even stronger than before. He clutches his head, letting out a guttural roar that echoes through the cave. The glow in his eye intensifies, and when he looks at me again, all traces of Hayato are gone.

"No!" I shout. "Don't let it win! Fight it, Hayato! Fight it!"

He lunges, movements faster and more erratic. This time, there's no hesitation, no restraint. I raise my flames in defense, but his lightning cuts through them effortlessly. I'm thrown back again, skidding across the rocky ground.

I cough trying to catch my breath. I force myself to stand. I won't give up. Not on him. Not on Hayato.

"You're still in there," I say, my voice shaking but resolute. "I know you are. And I'm not leaving until I get you back."

He lets out another roar, charging at me with a force that shakes the entire cave. I brace myself, summoning every ounce of strength I have left, ready to do whatever it takes to save him—even if it means risking everything.

"Raiden Seishin...!"

Spirit of Lightning...

He raises his sword high. The aura around him intensifies even more.

"Yamirashi... Raikiri!"

Abyssal Thunderstrike.

The air crackles, charged with an ominous energy. The ground beneath me feels like it's disintegrating as the lightning coalesces into a single, devastating point at the tip of his blade. I can't move. My legs refuse to obey. My body has frozen in exhaustion and fear.

This is it. It's over. I close my eyes, bracing for the inevitable. My flames flicker out entirely. There's no point in trying anymore.

The explosion roars to life with a deafening sound, and I feel the heat of it rushing toward me. But then…

Everything changes.

The oppressive dark lightning strike dissipates in an instant, replaced by a soft, warm glow. The air no longer feels heavy but light, peaceful. I open my eyes, confused, and what I see takes my breath away.

The dark Seishin that was meant to destroy me is gone. In its place is something beautiful, something familiar. Delicate and mesmerizing. This energy feels familiar, soothing, like a memory I witnessed earlier.

There's no mistaking it. This Seishin... this Seishinsu.... this petals. She is here!