Blood Mage

A Total Disaster

Hikaru was enjoying a rare moment of peace at the festival, pretending that he wasn't secretly involved in some grand supernatural mess.

Then of course, Teshii had to show up.

"Total disaster."

Hikaru signed. "What now?"

Teshii groaned, throwing his hands up. "Haruto was almost on board, but the nbig bro Mamoru showed up and completely shut it down."

Hikaru frowned. "Mamoru?"

Teshii nodded. "Yeah. And get this–he called the Order of the Elements a cult."

Hikaru snorted. "Honestly? I kinda get it."

Teshii gave him an offended look. "Excuse me?"

"I mean, think about it," Hikaru said. "Secret society. Special chosen warriors. Mysterious leader. It kinda sounds culty."

Teshii scowled. "I am not wearing robes, Hikaru."

Hikaru sighed, crossing his armrs. "So… what now?"

Teshii leaned against a food stand. "No clue. If Harutto won't join us because of his big scary brother, then we'll have to find another way to convince him."

Before Hikaru could respond–

A loud scream echoed through the festival.

Then another.

Then–chaos.

The Blood Mage Appears

The festival erupted into panic.

Stalls overturned, people ran in terror, and the festive atmosphere vanished in an instant.

And at the centre of it all, standing in the middle of the festival grounds, was a tall, hooded figure.

They extended their hand–and in an instant, the blood of nearby people lifted into the air, forming floating crimson spears.

The figure's voice was cold, sinister.

"The blood of the weak fuels the strong."

Then, with a mere flick of their fingers, the blood spears launched–destroying festival booths in a horrifying display of raw power.

Hikaru's stomach dropped.

"What the hell is that?!"

Teshii narrowed his eyes. "A mutant."

The hooded figure turned their gaze toward the terrified festivalgoers.

"You may call me… the Blood Mage."

The air grew thick with tension.

This wasn't just a random attack.

This was a massacre waiting to happen.

Mamoru vs. the Blood Mage

Before Hikaru or Teshii could react–

A blur of movement shot forward.

Mamoru Setsuna.

He moved with lethal precision, dashing straight toward the Blood Maage.

"Enough," Mamoru said, his silver eyes old.

The Blood Mage chuckled. "Oh? You think you can stop me?"

Mamoru didn't waste words.

He struck with terriftying speed, his fist colliding with the Blood Mage's chest.

The impact shattered the ground beneath them, sending shockwaves through the festival.

The Blood Mage staggered, ocoughing.

"…Interesting."

Then, with a twist of their hand, the blood on the ground reshaped itself, forming razor-sharp whips.

Mamoru narrowed his eyes.

This wasn't going to be an easy fight.

And Hikaru and Teshii?

They were right in the middle of it.