... Elsewhere - The Demon Realm...
Deep within the dark plains of the Demon Realm, chaos reigned. Since the day Demon Lord Gyakutai was slain by a mere mortal, the balance of power had fractured, leaving factions scrambling for dominance. The three most powerful heads —Lord Kujah, Lord Sakawa, and Lady Hyomi, Each the avatar of their respective Paths, Hate, Fear, and Lust—stood on the brink of war, there factions vying for control of the throne.
Lord Kujah, the most feared among them only second in ranking to Lord Gyakutai, and the only one who had fought him multiple times, burned with restless frustration. Victory had been within his grasp during their last battle. He had cornered the Demon King, and just as he prepared to deal the final blow, a fool—a mortal—had summoned the Demon King away, that alone was never meant to be. Days later, news had reached the demon realm: Gyakutai, the undefeated, Slayer of King Dragons, The Avatar of Anger had been slain by a swordsman. A mortal.
For a decade, Kujah had been consumed by this insult to their order. By demon law, no one could claim the throne unless they defeated the reigning king or his successor. A path could not be ascended to unless the avatar was defeated And now, the throne lay in limbo because of one name: Genkei Senshi.
Kujah stood in the dimly lit throne room, his massive frame casting an imposing shadow over the Demon Crown resting on the obsidian throne. The crown shimmered, pulsating with dark energy, waiting to burn anyone unworthy enough to try to claim it. Kujah clenched his fists. He had waited long enough.
"My lord..."
The voice was faint and cautious. Hilde, the path dealer, materialized from the shadows Lord Kujah had him by the throat before his form manifested fully, slamming him against the nearest wall with the force of a storm.
"I told you never to show your face around me!" Kujah roared, his eyes glowing like molten lava.
"My lord, please—it's about Genkei Senshi!" Hilde gasped, clawing at Kujah's iron grip.
Kujah's eyes narrowed, and he eased his hold slightly. "Speak quickly, or lose your throat."
"A bounty hunter—a demon slayer—was killed in battle. My birds believe she was tracking Genkei Senshi. I think she found him, The fight happened in a village called Odo. My investigation suggests it's the kind of place a wanderer like the swordsman might hide." Hilde wheezed, his voice trembling.
Kujah released him, and Hilde fell to the ground, coughing and gasping for air.
"Where is he? Is Genkei still in Odo?" Kujah demanded, his tone sharp.
"I believe so, my lord. But if you permit me, I could—"
"Take your leave before I relieve you of your head, dealer!" Kujah barked, his voice reverberating through the throne room.
Hilde staggered back to his feet, wiping the sweat from his brow. "My lord," he said carefully, "I only brought this news because I know you are the only one worthy of the throne. When you ascend, I hope you'll remember the many favors I've done for you." And with that, he vanished into thin air.
Kujah scowled. He despised Hilde's tricks and knew the snake would have whispered the same news to Sakawa and Hyomi. Time was slipping through his claws.
He turned his gaze to the Demon Crown. How many times had he stood there, starring at the throne, staring at the artifact? It mocked him. He could feel its raw power, but he dared not touch it. Not yet. Not until the mortal who stole their order's honor was brought before him.
"Surika," Kujah growled, his voice echoing in the silence. "I know you're here. Show yourself."
A figure emerged from the shadows above, perched like a predator on the jagged walls of the throne room. Surika, a demon assassin and hunter, bowed her head slightly.
"My lord, I mean no—"
"You heard everything," Kujah interrupted, turning his glowing eyes on her. "The swordsman—Genkei Senshi—must be brought to me. Kill anyone or anything that stands in your way. Do this, and your loyalty to me will be proven. Claim this victory, and you will earn your place by my side."
Surika stepped forward, her crimson eyes gleaming with deadly resolve.
" And if the rumors of the sword is true, Then bring it to me and kill the swordsman, "
"As you will, my lord. I will not fail you."
"You had better not, in my time, failure and weakness will not be tolerated, only the strong" Kujah said, his voice low and menacing.
Surika vanished into the shadows, leaving Kujah alone with his thoughts. He stared once more at the Demon Crown, his claws twitching with anticipation.
The path to the throne had never been more perilous, but Kujah would not rest until he wore the crown and crushed anyone foolish enough to challenge him—including the mortal who had slain Gyakutai.