Chapter 96 — The Broken Seal
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Location: Real World — Shinjuku, rooftop above the battlefield
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Aika's body convulsed violently in Yuuto's arms.
Lightning cracked across the sky. Her marks pulsed, not with chaotic power— but with purpose. The curse had changed. Awakened.
> Rei stumbled backward. "Her seal… it's shattering."
> Mayu's voice trembled. "That wasn't supposed to happen. No one's ever broken the Blood Seal and lived."
And yet—
Aika breathed. Her eyes fluttered open.
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Yuuto Returns
In a flash of white, Yuuto gasped awake, eyes glowing dim gold.
He was soaked in sweat, barely conscious.
Aika lay in his arms, her body warm again, chest rising… slowly.
> "Aika," he whispered. "Come back to me."
She looked up at him — and smiled.
> "You really… came for me," she said, tears slipping down her cheeks.
"Even the curse couldn't stop you."
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But Something Changed...
Her curse marks no longer flared out wildly. Instead, they moved — gently pulsing with a heartbeat of their own.
> "That's… not supposed to happen," Mayu muttered. "The curse is alive. And it's synchronized with him."
Suddenly — thunder boomed.
The masked enemy — still watching from the alley below — tilted his head.
> "They merged," he whispered, almost… impressed.
"So the girl survived. And the boy made her his."
His grin widened beneath the mask.
> "Now the real game begins."
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The Transformation
Aika stood slowly.
Her skin glowed faint red. Her hair flowed unnaturally in the wind. Her eyes… no longer fully human.
> "Yuuto," she said softly, "I… remember everything. I am the curse now. But I'm not afraid."
Yuuto stepped beside her. Their hands touched — and something divine surged between them.
> "Then we fight together," he said.
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Final Warning
From the shadows, a new figure emerged — taller, older, his body covered in ancient tattoos and markings. His presence sucked the warmth from the air.
> "You've unsealed the girl. You think that's power? No… now, she is the key. And everyone will hunt her. Even the gods."
Aika's face grew pale.
> "He's right. I wasn't just cursed… I was sealed for a reason."
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