Before Emma and David stood a furious demon.
Its dark body was covered in deep wounds from their attacks, and every drop of blood dripping from its skin hissed as it struck the wet ground.
Above the forest, heavy clouds gathered, the sky darkening as if night itself had descended too soon. A raindrop landed on David's cheek—then the heavens opened, and a downpour came crashing down. The leaves of the colossal tree roared under the storm, turning silence into a ceaseless howl of rain and wind.
The demon didn't wait. Its roar echoed across the towering branches as it lunged straight for Emma.
Its speed was terrifying, but Emma managed to dodge, leaving a deep gash in the soaked bark. Like a shadow, David appeared at her side and parried the strike. His blade slashed into the demon's flesh, carving a long crimson wound across its claw. The beast shrieked in pain and, thrashing its tail wildly, hurled itself at David.
But he had already anticipated the attack, slipping aside as if the rain itself had veiled his movements.
Emma drew her golden sword. With a leap, she swung a horizontal strike, her blade blazing through the storm. Steel bit halfway through the demon's claw—but she lacked the strength to finish the cut.
Without hesitation, the demon whipped its tail toward her. Emma realized her weapon was stuck; there was no time to evade. "I can't—" she thought desperately. But at that very instant, David burst from the darkness. His blade flashed, intercepting the tail.
"Damn… what power. Not blocking—redirecting!" he growled through clenched teeth.
Focusing, David twisted the force of the attack aside, giving Emma the chance to free her weapon. In one swift motion, he pushed her back to safety.
"How…?" she gasped, catching her breath.
"I'm fine," Emma replied quickly, though rain wasn't the only thing running down her face—a thin stream of blood trickled along her temple.
The demon's breath came heavy and ragged, its movements growing erratic, desperate.
"We need to wear it down," David said firmly.
Emma nodded, tightening her grip on her sword.
Together they struck. Their attacks rained down from both sides, giving the creature no chance to recover. The forest quaked with the violence of their clash, and distant lightning lit up the blood-soaked battlefield in fleeting flashes.
The demon's half-severed limb couldn't withstand the next blow—Emma screamed as she brought her sword down, cleaving it off completely. The beast roared, shaking the trees, and in a frenzy of pain charged straight at her. She managed to block, but the sheer force sent her flying backward.
"Damn it…" David muttered, watching her get thrown aside.
The enraged demon's tail lashed at him next. He rolled across the slick ground, dodging the strike, then flipped to his feet in a swift, airborne twist.
"I hate feeling pain," he said with a grim smile. "But if I don't… I'll lose a limb."
With that, he tore off the bandage. At once, he could see the demon clearly—not just sense it—but perceive its entire dark majesty.
Consumed by rage, the demon charged again. But David now caught every motion, every detail. He evaded with chilling ease, while the monster's attacks grew slower, weaker.
"It's exhausted. Time to finish this," he thought coldly.
In a flash, David leapt. His blade sliced through the demon's neck. A dull crack rang out as its head tumbled away, rolling across the drenched wood.
Emma, recovering from the blow, rushed to him. She saw the demon's body collapse, lifeless, and relief softened her face. He's gotten stronger, she thought.
Stepping up to David, she met his eyes and said:
"Congratulations. This is your core."
David froze, startled by her words.
"You're sure?"
"Yes. We still need two more like this."
A shadow of dread passed over David.
He understood all too well how difficult the path ahead would be.