The Avenger's Last Breath
The clash of blades was devastating. Yuzuki's sword, imbued with Mao's shadowy power, collided with Yuri's massive blood-forged scythe, resulting in an explosion of energy that shook the floor and made the heavens tremble. The impact was so immense that the bar's walls collapsed, sending debris and smoke spilling into Salem's streets. Both combatants were hurled backwards, the thunderous roar reverberating through the city like the echo of a mortal duel.
Despite unbearable pain, Yuzuki rose slowly, his body already pushed beyond its limits. The agony he felt was indescribable—every muscle felt torn, as if his own flesh resisted the power he sought to channel. His limbs trembled with each breath, as though every movement might be his last, yet his mind remained focused. He gazed at his bloodied hands, feeling the weight of his pact with Mao.
"I… will endure. I will not fail."
Before him lay a nightmare: Salem lay in ruin, its citizens dying brutally in blood-soaked streets. Severed limbs, fingers, ears, even chunks of human flesh littered the city—grim proof of Yuri's blood ritual. The population was being decimated, and Yuzuki knew he could no longer hesitate. He had to defeat Yuri and end this suffering.
Across the wreckage, Yuri—grinning macabrely—prepared to strike again, his eyes burning with the lust for destruction. He raised his hand and chanted in an ancient tongue, invoking his most brutal technique: Blood Mutilation. The ritual's tendrils writhed outward, forming razor-sharp blood blades that sliced the air and surged toward Yuzuki.
Sensing the imminent peril, Mao summoned his power to shield Yuzuki, conjuring a barrier of shadows that disintegrated part of the onslaught before it could strike the young warrior. Even so, the pressure bore down mercilessly, and Yuzuki could barely remain standing.
"Yuzuki!" Mao hissed. "You must hold on! Do not give in!"
But Yuzuki's body finally began to buckle under the torment, and he fell to his knees, the pain overwhelming. His life force drained through his trembling fingers. At that moment, Yuri and Alkaraz advanced—both swords raised, ready to deliver the killing blow.
"This is the end," Yuri said cruelly, as Alkaraz remained silent, eyes vacant. Both descended their blades in unison—but just before the strike landed, something unexpected occurred.
Under Amok's control, Alkaraz froze. The dark gleam in his eyes vanished for an instant. He turned to Yuri, confusion and pain etched on his face. "Yuri, I… I don't want to do this to you." The words slipped out in a whisper, and even Alkaraz himself seemed to resist Amok's control.However, as if moved by an involuntary impulse, Alkaraz plunged his sword into Yuri, hoisting him into the air and flinging him away, sending him crashing heavily to the ground. The impact gouged a crater in the earth and made the blood sky tremble.
"Betrayal… you betrayed me!" Yuri screamed, rising with fury.
Amok, watching the scene, spoke calmly but with a tone of satisfaction: "I knew he was still useful to me. Alkaraz is merely a pawn in my game."
Yuri glared at Alkaraz, but something had changed. "You… you weren't like this, Alkaraz!"
Alkaraz, head bowed, looked lost, as if struggling to break free from Amok's influence. "I… I didn't want to do this, Yuri. I didn't…"
Amok, seeing the situation reach its climax, turned to Yuzuki with a satisfied smile. "Now, Yuzuki… what will you do?"
Yuzuki, still kneeling, felt Amok's power and sensed an opportunity. He focused his energy and, with a swift motion, unleashed his Shinkō technique, severing the bond that had tied him to Alkaraz's control. It was as if a veil lifted, and Alkaraz—finally free—looked at Yuzuki with understanding, but also with a spark of curiosity.
Amok observed, his eyes shining with dark delight. "At last… you see. Now, Yuzuki, I can offer you what you most desire. I can be your power, your guide. But there is a condition." He paused, his smile growing more enigmatic. "You must agree to be my bearer. Use me, and allow me to guide you to the end."
Yuzuki glanced at Mao, who—despite his shadowy nature—knew the decision was Yuzuki's alone. The weight of that choice pressed down heavier than anything he'd imagined, but looking at the faces of those he'd sworn to protect, he realized there was no time left to hesitate.
"I accept." Yuzuki said, his voice steady, though his body trembled.
Amok smiled, satisfied with the decision. "Very well. Now, let us finish what we began."
Amok's energy swirled around Yuzuki, and a new strength began to radiate from him. The shadows deepened, and the air around them hummed with power. The battle was far from over, but the balance had shifted forever.