Chapter-3: The Trial of Fire

The Voidspawn charged, their shadowy forms shifting unnaturally as they closed the distance. Kai's grip on the glowing katana was tight, but his body felt like it was on autopilot. His feet shuffled backward, instinct telling him to retreat, but Reina stepped forward without hesitation.

"Stay close and follow my lead," Reina barked, swinging her sword in a clean arc that cut through two Voidspawn in one stroke. Their forms disintegrated into ash, leaving behind a faint, acrid smell.

Kai nodded, though his hands trembled. "I'll try!"

"Trying isn't enough," Reina snapped, vaulting over one of the creatures and plunging her blade into its back. "You either fight, or you die. There's no middle ground!"

Her words hit Kai like a hammer. The creature in front of him snarled and lunged, its claws aiming for his chest. Instinctively, he raised the katana, and the glowing blade hummed as it intercepted the attack. Sparks flew as the claws collided with the blade, and a surge of energy coursed through Kai's arms.

He gritted his teeth and pushed forward, forcing the creature back. "Get… away!" he shouted, swinging the blade. The strike connected, and the Voidspawn exploded into a cloud of smoke.

Kai stumbled backward, panting. "I… I actually did it."

Reina glanced at him and smirked. "Not bad for a rookie. But don't get cocky—there's more coming!"

As if on cue, three more Voidspawn emerged from the shadows, their forms larger and more grotesque than the first wave. Their eyes glowed a menacing red, and their guttural growls sent chills down Kai's spine.

"Why are there so many of them?!" Kai shouted, panic creeping into his voice.

"The rift," Reina replied, pointing at the pulsating tear in the sky. "It's like a beacon, drawing them here. Until we close it, they'll just keep coming."

Kai stared at the rift, its violet light swirling ominously. "Close it? How are we supposed to do that?"

Reina didn't answer immediately. Instead, she raised her sword and charged at the incoming Voidspawn, her movements a blur of precision and power. "First, we survive. Then we figure it out."

Kai gritted his teeth and stepped forward, holding the katana in both hands. The blade seemed to pulse in rhythm with his heartbeat, as if urging him forward. "Alright… no running this time."

The largest of the Voidspawn lunged at Kai, its massive claws slicing through the air. He ducked and countered with an upward slash, the glowing blade cutting through its arm. The creature howled in pain, but before Kai could press the advantage, another Voidspawn attacked from his blind spot.

"Behind you!" Reina shouted.

Kai turned just in time to see the creature's claws descending toward him. Time seemed to slow as adrenaline surged through his veins. He raised the katana, and a burst of blue energy erupted from the blade, blasting the creature away.

Reina's eyes widened. "That's… a Soulburst! How did you—"

"I-I don't know!" Kai stammered, staring at the katana in shock.

Before Reina could say more, the ground beneath them trembled violently. The rift in the sky began to expand, its light growing brighter and more chaotic.

"This isn't good," Reina muttered, her expression darkening. "Something big is coming."

As if in response to her words, a deafening roar echoed through the air. From the center of the rift, a massive figure began to emerge. Its body was covered in jagged, obsidian-like armor, and its crimson eyes burned with an intense malice.

Kai's breath caught in his throat. "What… what is that?"

Reina's grip on her sword tightened. "A Greater Voidspawn. We're in way over our heads."

The creature landed with a thunderous crash, the force of its arrival sending shockwaves through the streets. It towered over them, its sheer presence radiating an oppressive energy.

Reina glanced at Kai, her expression serious. "Listen to me, Kai. We need to retreat. Now."

Kai hesitated, his gaze fixed on the monstrous figure. "But… if we run, won't it destroy everything?"

Reina's jaw tightened. "If we stay, it'll destroy us first. You're not ready for this fight."

Kai's hands trembled, but he forced himself to steady his breathing. "Maybe I'm not ready… but I can't just run away. Not again."

Reina's eyes widened, and for a moment, her stern demeanor softened. "You really are reckless, aren't you?"

Kai nodded, a small grin forming on his lips. "Guess you'll have to keep saving me until I'm not."

Reina let out a frustrated sigh but couldn't hide the faint smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Fine. But don't die on me, rookie."

The Greater Voidspawn roared, its massive claws slicing through the air as it charged. Kai tightened his grip on the katana, the blade's glow intensifying.

"For Kiyomura," Kai muttered under his breath.

And then they ran forward, side by side, into the storm.