Volume 1 Chapter 11 part 4 - The end

The girls screamed Azire's name, their voices laced with desperation as they searched for a way to reach him. But it was futile. Azire was lost in his rage, slamming Elioud from wall to wall, his eyes void of recognition.

Belial groaned, pushing himself upright. His vision swam, but he forced himself to focus. What he saw made his stomach twist—Azire, but not as he knew him. This wasn't his friend. This was a monster.

Maya's voice rang out, frantic. "Belial, don't! You'll be next!"

But he didn't listen. He couldn't. Gritting his teeth, he surged forward. "ECLIPSE GAUNTLET!"

Dark energy flared, and the gauntlet materialized over his arms. With a battle cry, he launched himself at Azire, tackling him with all his strength.

They crashed to the ground, but the fight wasn't over. Azire thrashed beneath him, his demonized face contorted with fury. Belial grabbed him by the shoulders, shaking him violently.

"Snap out of it, Azire!" he shouted. "Look at what you're doing! You're proving them right—the gods, the humans—everyone who sees you as a monster! Is that who you want to be?"

His voice cut through the chaos like a blade. For a moment, silence fell. Then, slowly, the darkness swirling around Azire began to withdraw. The inky tendrils retracted, slithering back into his body like shadows in retreat. His breaths grew shallow, his limbs trembling as his form returned to normal. And then, finally, he collapsed.

Belial exhaled sharply and pushed himself up. Without another word, he turned to the imprisoned girls, working quickly to free them. Behind him, Maya dropped to her knees beside Azire, hands glowing as she channeled her Blue Crescent magic. The soft light pulsed over his wounds, knitting them together.

Hollie and Suna moved swiftly, binding Elioud with whatever restraints they could find. Ken wiped blood from his brow, his expression grim. "I'll inform the council," he said before disappearing into the night.

Suna lingered near Uno's motionless body. Her hands trembled. She had known he was using her, manipulating her for his own goals. And yet, he had given her something—a purpose, a way of life better than the orphanage she had left behind. Tears welled in her eyes, spilling down her cheeks.

Azire stirred. A groan left his lips, and Maya's heart leapt. "Azire?" she whispered.

His eyes fluttered open. Relief washed over her, and before she could stop herself, she wrapped her arms around him. But as he looked past her, his breath hitched. The battlefield lay before him—ruined, bloodstained. And there, amidst the wreckage, was Uno.

Dead.

The sight struck him like a dagger to the heart. He pulled away from Maya, his throat tightening. "It's my fault," he whispered. "He died because I was too weak… because I needed help."

Suna turned, shaking her head fiercely. "No… It's my fault. If I hadn't been captured, none of this would've happened."

Hollie joined them, arms crossed, her voice steady despite the sorrow in her eyes. "No. It's all of our faults. We were weak. And we paid the price."

Before anyone could say more, Ken returned, the council at his heels. A beastman in a sharp black suit stepped forward, his golden eyes scanning the weary group. He nodded solemnly.

"You have done our town a great service," he said. "For your bravery—and for the loss you have suffered—we offer our deepest gratitude." His gaze softened. "In honor of your fallen comrade, we will hold a town-wide funeral. A statue will be erected in his memory, and a parade will be held in his name. His sacrifice will not be forgotten."

A heavy silence settled over the group. Despite their victory, the weight of loss clung to them like a shadow.

Azire lowered his head. No amount of gratitude could erase what had happened. Nothing could bring Uno back.