The vision was pure chaos—Demigem engulfed in flames. Houses burned to ash, screams of agony echoed through the night, and the sweet scent of flowers was now just a memory. In its place, the wind carried only the stench of blood and iron.
*"How can this… destroy the village?"*
The thought barely passed through his mind before a creature lunged at him from the smoke.
Just before the attack landed, Gachuti jumped back, dodging with precision and countering with a clean slash. The creature hit the ground—but didn't stay down. He watched, jaw tight, as it began to regenerate, while a crack appeared on his own blade.
*"Hyōen Dōji… I have to destroy the core!"*
Another monster rushed toward him. In a flash, the silver blade turned cyan, bursting into flame. With a smooth dodge, he retaliated with a sharp arc—his blade slicing through the glowing orb in the beast's chest.
The creature ignited from within. A moment later, its body froze and shattered.
No time to breathe.
A new blow sent Gachuti flying into a burning house.
"Kaze no Kasoku!"
With a burst of wind at his feet, he propelled himself out of the fire and into the air. Like a shadow in motion, he moved through the battlefield, his sword a blur—cutting through dozens of abominations.
*"Damn it… There's too many of them…"*
A scream tore through the night. It was sharp, raw, and human.
His eyes found the source—and his blood ran cold. A child, lifeless, a hole through their chest. Their small body crumpled to the bloodstained ground.
Gachuti's rage overflowed.
*"So be it."*
His voice was thunder. As monsters charged him, he met them with fury.
"DIE, YOU BASTARDS!"
His cry echoed through every burning street, loud and resolute. With it, he accepted the cruelty of this night.
The moonlight seemed to grow stronger, casting its pale glow on a blade now blacker than night. The nearest creatures dropped to the ground, their cores shattered. A dark aura erupted from Gachuti, dense and suffocating—born from pain and fury.
*"Yami no Danpen-ka."*
The cyan flames darkened, absorbed into the shadows of his wrath. The once-shining silver turned pitch-black—as if the blade itself had given up the light.
His movements lost their grace. They became brutal, desperate. A predator, not a warrior.
*"Are you both alright…?"*
The thought stabbed through the haze of battle.
One creature, more evolved than the rest, twisted its body and launched itself forward—spinning like a drill.
"Rosary, watch out!"
His voice was sharp, urgent.
Her golden eyes met the incoming threat, and time seemed to slow.
"Come, Harp!"
From her shadow burst a bird with dark gray feathers, nearly black under the moon. In an instant, it intercepted the attack—ripping the monster's core apart midair.
"*Thank you… Grandpa…*"
Her voice trembled.
"That was too close," Thijou muttered to himself.
He stood firm, raising his staff. The orb atop it pulsed with golden light. His eyes, now glowing bright gold, mirrored beacons in the night.
From the darkness, more beasts appeared. A white wolf with crimson eyes. A black she-wolf with golden irises. Both marked with the symbol of a flower.
"Come… Shin, Rudh."
The wolves took position on either side of him.
Then came a rumble.
A paw, far larger than the others, struck the ground. A massive bear—three meters tall—stepped forward. Its fur shimmered white, and its icy gray eyes carried a silent wisdom.
"Grandpa, this is too dangerous for your age!" Rosary's voice cracked with worry.
"Shin, go find Gachuti. Protect him."
Without hesitation, the white wolf vanished into the chaos.
"Grandpa, please listen to me!"
"Rosary… you and I both know we won't survive without this."
"Don't say that…"
Tears filled her eyes.
"I told you not to lie to me."
He smiled gently—before striking her neck with the handle of his staff.
"G-Grandpa?"
Her body went limp.
"Forgive me… Thorice, take her!"
The great bear knelt. Thijou carefully placed Rosary on its back. Without a word, the beast disappeared into the forest, carrying her to safety.
He stood alone again, watching the treetops where she vanished. His thoughts turned to a distant memory—of a wedding he might never witness.
---
Flashback: Thijou
In the forest surrounding Demigem, a group of young students gathered around Elder Thijou.
"Gachuti, pay attention!" Rosary's voice rang out.
"Wha—Rosary?" Gachuti blinked, lost in thought.
"Grandpa's teaching! Focus!" she scolded, pointing to Thijou's back.
They sat among the others on stones, forming a small semicircle. A leaf drifted onto Gachuti's forehead. Rosary leaned in to brush it away—only to realize everyone, including Thijou, was staring.
"Would the *young couple* care to explain themselves?"
"N-Nothing, Elder Thijou…" Gachuti stammered.
Thijou turned to them slowly.
"In this forest, anything can kill you. And still, you're both distracted."
A crushing pressure filled the air. To Gachuti's side appeared a white wolf with red eyes. To Rosary's, a black she-wolf with golden ones. Both bore the flower mark.
"Ru…Rudh-sen…" he mumbled, overwhelmed by the golden gaze.
The students gasped in awe. Thijou tapped his staff.
"Return."
The wolves dissolved into shadow, slipping back into his own.
"Those were Elder Thijou's Storm Wolves…"
"I saw Rudh… She was amazing."
"She really was."
"Silence. Now then—magic is divided into six elements: fire, water, light, earth, darkness, and air. Each must be used with balance and respect."
"Are we sure the half-demon kid should be learning this—?"
"Shhh! Don't mention *him*!"
Gachuti lowered his head. Pain flickered across his face. Rosary reached for his hand.
"Rosary…?"
"It's okay. I'm here."
A soft smile formed on his lips. He leaned into her, resting his head on her shoulder. Thijou observed the two of them quietly, smiling before resuming the lesson.
---
"My grandchildren… I will fight to protect you."
Thijou tightened his grip on his staff as the wave of slimes descended.