Chapter-2: The Awakening Blade

Kai's hands trembled as the creature lunged, its claws tearing through the air. Every instinct screamed at him to run, but his legs felt like they were cemented to the ground.

Just as the beast's claws were about to strike, a blinding flash of light erupted between them. The creature roared and staggered back, clutching its face.

"Move, idiot!"

A figure leapt in front of Kai, landing gracefully with a sword in her hand. The blade shimmered with ethereal blue light, and her movements were precise and deadly. One swing of her sword, and the creature was cleaved in half, its body dissipating into black smoke.

Kai blinked, his mind struggling to process what had just happened. The figure turned to face him, her violet eyes sharp and piercing. She couldn't have been much older than him, but there was an undeniable aura of authority about her.

"Are you trying to get yourself killed?" she snapped, her tone exasperated.

"I… uh… what just happened?" Kai stammered, still clutching the useless metal pipe.

The girl sighed, lowering her sword. "You've just had your first encounter with a Voidspawn. Congratulations on surviving—barely."

"Voidspawn? What are you talking about?"

Before she could answer, another roar echoed through the streets. More shadowy creatures were emerging from the rift in the sky, their forms growing more grotesque by the second.

"No time to explain. Either fight or get out of my way," she said, raising her sword again.

Kai hesitated, his grip tightening on the pipe. "I… I want to help."

The girl gave him a sharp look. "With that stick? You're going to need more than that if you want to fight them."

As if in response to her words, a faint glow began to emanate from the katana strapped to Kai's back. He froze, glancing over his shoulder.

"That… that's just a family heirloom. It's not even sharp," he said, his voice shaky.

The girl's eyes widened as she stared at the glowing blade. "That's no ordinary sword… Where did you get that?"

Kai unstrapped the katana, holding it out uncertainly. The glow intensified, and he could feel a strange warmth coursing through his hands.

"It was my dad's. He gave it to me before he… disappeared," Kai said, his voice softening.

The girl didn't respond immediately. Instead, she grabbed his hand and forced the katana into it. "No time for a history lesson. Draw the blade. Now."

"But—"

"Do it!"

Kai hesitated for only a moment before gripping the hilt and pulling the blade free. As the katana left its sheath, a brilliant wave of blue energy erupted from it, sending the Voidspawn hurtling backward. The air around them crackled with power, and Kai could feel the blade humming in his hands.

The girl smirked. "Well, looks like you're not completely useless after all."

Kai stared at the sword in disbelief. "What… what is this thing?"

"It's a Soulblade," she said, her tone suddenly serious. "And if you're holding it, that means you're not just some random bystander. You're one of us now."

"One of you?"

She extended her hand, a faint smile playing on her lips. "Reina Akizuki, Void Slayer. Welcome to the fight, Kai Hayashi."

Before Kai could respond, the Voidspawn roared again, surging toward them in waves. Reina raised her sword, her eyes gleaming with determination.

"Think you can keep up, rookie?"

Kai tightened his grip on the glowing katana and nodded, a newfound resolve sparking in his chest. "Let's do this."