Chapter 9 : Legacy of Lightning

The tower trembled as Tatsuya's sword cut through the air, its blade glowing with the pure white fury of lightning. He could feel the essence of Himawari inside him — the child they had raised, the little girl who had been taken far too soon. Her smile, her laughter, her love. All of it surged within him now, amplifying his power.

Tatsuya's eyes burned with the intensity of his emotions. Ryouma had taken everything from him — his daughter, his peace, his future. And now, he would take it all back.

"You think you can defeat me?" Ryouma's voice echoed in the vast chamber, full of malice. "You're just a boy, Tatsuya! A pathetic, weak boy who can't even comprehend the power I wield."

Tatsuya's hands gripped the hilt of his sword tighter, his knuckles white. The blood from his previous battles still stained his clothes, but he didn't care. He couldn't afford to care.

"I don't need to comprehend your power," Tatsuya said, his voice low and steady. "I only need to end this."

With a roar, Tatsuya charged, his body crackling with white-hot lightning. Ryouma raised his hand, summoning dark, twisting flames to shield himself. The two forces collided with an explosion of energy that sent shockwaves through the tower, shaking the very foundation.

But Tatsuya was faster. With a flick of his wrist, he summoned a bolt of lightning that shattered Ryouma's shield. The demon lord staggered back, his eyes wide with surprise.

"Impossible," Ryouma snarled. "How are you...?"

Tatsuya's sword sliced through the air again, and this time, the strike was aimed directly at Ryouma's heart. The demon lord barely managed to raise his arms in defense, but Tatsuya's lightning-infused blade shattered his defenses, sending him sprawling backward.

"I'm not just a boy anymore," Tatsuya said coldly. "I'm the storm. And I will be the end of you."

Ryouma's eyes flickered with fury as he struggled to rise, his dark flames swirling around him like a violent tempest. "You think this is over? You think I'll let you take everything from me?"

Tatsuya's expression darkened. "You never had anything, Ryouma. You were a thief, a murderer, a liar. You never deserved any of it."

Ryouma's body wreathed in black fire, and he roared, sending an enormous wave of flame toward Tatsuya. The heat was suffocating, the fire so intense that it threatened to consume everything in its path. But Tatsuya stood firm, his body crackling with the power of his lightning, his very soul resonating with the power of the storm.

"Die!" Ryouma screamed.

But Tatsuya was faster. He raised his sword to the sky, and a massive bolt of lightning shot down, striking him directly. His body was filled with the power of the storm, and his sword crackled with energy that could melt the very world if unleashed.

"You're not the only one who controls destruction," Tatsuya muttered, his voice full of icy determination.

He leaped into the air, his sword flashing like a comet as it arced toward Ryouma's chest. Time seemed to slow as the blade descended, its edge glowing with the power of his grief, his rage, and his unyielding will to protect those he loved.

And then, with a sickening crunch, the blade pierced through Ryouma's heart.

The tower shook violently, and Ryouma let out a final, guttural scream. His body spasmed as lightning surged through him, coursing through his veins, burning him from the inside out.

"You... you can't…" Ryouma's words were barely a whisper. "I am… the Devil's chosen…"

Tatsuya twisted his blade, sending another pulse of lightning into Ryouma's body. The demon lord's form began to disintegrate, his flesh turning to ash, his bones crumbling to dust. With a final, deafening roar, Ryouma's essence was consumed by the storm, vanishing without a trace.

Tatsuya stood over the remains of the once-mighty demon lord, his breath ragged, his body trembling with exhaustion. The storm that had raged inside him finally began to fade, but the emptiness lingered.

He looked down at his sword — the blade that had ended Ryouma's reign of terror.

It's over.

For a moment, silence reigned in the tower. Then, Misaki appeared, her figure slightly swaying as she walked toward him. Her wound was still fresh, but her resolve was unwavering. She smiled faintly at him, her eyes filled with relief.

"You did it," she whispered, her voice filled with admiration and sorrow.

Tatsuya nodded, his expression grim. "It's done. But… it doesn't feel like victory."

Misaki stepped closer, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. "You avenged Himawari. You protected us. You've done all you could, Tatsuya."

The weight of her words settled heavily in his heart. Misaki was right. They had done it. They had ended the nightmare.

But the hole left in his chest, the hole where Himawari had once been, would never truly be filled. She had been their daughter, their light, and now… now she was gone.

Tatsuya closed his eyes, fighting back the tears. I did this for you, Himawari. I did this so that you can rest in peace.

Then, suddenly, a soft voice echoed in his mind. It was Himawari's voice.

Tatsuya… you didn't fail me.

Tatsuya's eyes snapped open. His chest tightened as he heard her words, as if she were standing beside him. He closed his eyes for a moment, allowing the warmth of her spirit to fill him.

Thank you, Himawari. I promise, I'll never forget you.

The storm within him subsided, leaving only the lingering sense of loss, but also of hope.

"Come on," Misaki said gently, her hand still on his shoulder. "Let's go home."

Tatsuya nodded, his heart heavy but his spirit lighter than it had been in a long time. He turned, walking beside her toward the exit of the tower.

They had lost much, but they had also gained something: the strength to move forward. Together.

The storm might have passed, but their journey had just begun.