Chapter Seven: "Demon Breach"
Chapter Seven: Demon Breach
Tenkai Healing Chamber — Moments After Airi Awakens
Peace lasted less than a heartbeat.
A tear split through the air—sharp as a scream. A demonic rift opened above the healing chamber. A monstrous figure dropped from the ceiling, its body twisted and scorched with sigils. Burning red eyes locked onto the first target it saw.
A nurse.
One strike.
Her head shattered like porcelain.
Gasps filled the room.
Blood splattered across the marble tiles.
Rengoku barely reacted before Takashi stepped forward, aura erupting in red-black flame. He pushed Airi gently behind him, eyes locked on the demon.
"You shouldn't have come here," Takashi growled.
The demon chuckled, voice deep and cold. "You shouldn't have returned."
It lunged.
Takashi countered, the impact cracking the floor beneath their feet. Claws against aura, steel against flame. Sparks flew.
Just as the demon prepared a second strike, a silver blur howled into the room—Akihiro, riding his Shikigami wolf, weapon drawn. Sakura followed with her spirit fox, eyes glowing with fury.
"You're late!" Takashi shouted, deflecting a claw.
"I overslept!" Akihiro snapped, swinging at the demon's leg. "Next time, tell the monster to wait."
Sakura leapt in, her fox spirit charging, jaws glowing. "You're ruining my morning."
Together, the trio surrounded the demon, landing strike after strike—but it laughed.
Its body began to shift—horns doubling, arms stretching, eyes multiplying. A new symbol glowed on its forehead: three jagged spikes forming a crown of fire.
Takashi froze.
That mark.
He'd seen it before.
Scene Break — Garden Memory
Years ago.
Airi sat under the sakura tree, playing a flute. Takashi stood nearby with a wooden sword, swinging lazily.
Their mother, Natsumi, knelt between them, smiling.
"Airi, your music will calm storms," she said softly. "Takashi… your blade will shield her."
Takashi pouted. "Why do I always get the sword?"
Airi laughed. "Want to switch?"
Natsumi shook her head. "No. You both already know your roles."
Wind rustled the petals.
Takashi watched Airi laugh, and somewhere inside, he vowed—I'll always protect her.
Back to the Battle — The Crown Mark
The demon towered above them now, laughter echoing through the broken walls.
"You don't even know what you are, do you?" it hissed. "The crown burns inside you."
Takashi stood still.
That crown symbol… pulsed on his own wrist, like a brand he never noticed until now.
His heartbeat thundered.
His memories rippled.
His aura flared, more violent than ever—sparks of gold flashing in the red-black swirl.
Akihiro shouted, "Takashi! Snap out of it!"
Sakura stumbled, her fox fading. "This isn't normal—he's much more powerful than he looks."
The demon charged.
Takashi whispered, "Stop."
The demon stopped uncontrollably mid air, terrified.
He shook heavily trying to break free.
Takashi spoke: "You've reaked enough havoc, now rest in piece, "ABSORB!".
"Noooooooo!", The demon protested but was not capable of doing anything, it was sucked into Takashi's soul and his aura glowed even brighter filling the room until it died down.
The world went still.
The demon's mortal body cracked midair, and then faded away into thin air.
Silence.
Akihiro wiped sweat from his brow. "Remind me to never spar with you again."
Takashi smirked.
Sakura stared. "That mark in your eyes..."
Takashi turned away, hiding the glowing symbol beneath his pupils.
"What mark?" he muttered.
No one answered.
But deep within him, a voice spoke—cold, calm, ancient.
"A king always returns to his throne."
Takashi's eyes flickered gold for just a second.
He looked at Airi—safe, now asleep.
Safe at last.
To Be Continued…