Chapter 1 – The Vacation
It had been two months since the Zanis event, and strangely… nothing had happened. No attacks, no chaos, no death. For the first time in what felt like forever, the world was at peace.
Strom stood on the balcony, staring at the stars, holding a small necklace in his hand.
"Mom… this is for you," he said softly.
Dravyss appeared behind him, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Son… this is the fourth one in two weeks. Why are you spending so much on jewelry?"
"Nothing," Strom replied, trying to sound casual. "Just… a gift."
Dravyss shook her head. "I've told you, Strom… I don't care about scars."
"But this will hide it, I promise," Strom said earnestly.
"Strom… it's okay. It's not your fault I turned hostile. You just… stopped me. Nothing big," she said gently.
Strom's brows furrowed. "That asteroid was bigger than a house, and after that… you fainted for three days."
Dravyss let out a small laugh. "Okay, but I don't need a necklace to hide this. I'll be fine."
Strom hesitated for a moment as he turned to leave, then called back, "Mom… one last thing."
"Yes?" she asked.
"Why… why do you watch the stars every night?"
Dravyss looked up at the sky, her eyes soft with nostalgia. "Nothing… I'm just missing my planet, my sister, and my people."
Strom's eyes lit up. "That means we're going on vacation — to your planet! Hell yeah!"
Dravyss chuckled, shaking her head. "No, son! The air there isn't… friendly."
"Huh? I don't understand," Strom said, confused.
"If you breathe a single breath there… you wouldn't survive. It's basically lethal," she said with a hint of worry.
"Come on… no way we can see your place?" Strom pressed.
"No," she replied firmly.
"Okay, mom! I'm not going to stop you if you want a vacation," Strom said, grinning. "You need happiness too… so enjoy, lady!"
Dravyss laughed, her eyes shining. For the first time in a long while, she felt genuine happiness. Strom had never treated her like a stepmother — he had always believed she was his real mother.
The next morning, Dravyss wore her pendant and shifted into her dragon form, her wings unfurling with a powerful roar. Flames of iridescent energy danced across her scales as she rose into the sky.
Before leaving, she gently landed beside Strom and pressed a soft kiss to his forehead. "Goodbye, Strom. Be safe," she whispered.
Strom watched her soar away, a mix of happiness and quiet unease swelling in his chest. For now… there was no chaos, no battles, no monsters. The Dragon Knight felt useless, but he was content.
For now.
Chapter 2 – Boredom & Breathing Fire
Three days had passed since Dravyss left. The world remained quiet, too quiet. Strom sat lazily in his house when Sam barged in like a storm.
"Yo, bro! What's going on?" Sam asked, flopping onto the couch.
"Nothing… just rotting in the house. You got any news?" Strom replied casually.
"For us? Nah. But Nia… she feels that something big is awake, and now she's gone to the far lands to stop it," Sam said.
Strom raised an eyebrow. "She always goes alone. Meanwhile, we're useless because… no chaos."
Sam leaned back, a smirk on his face. "Bro, she travels thousands of miles, and even if we tried to help, we'd need a full day to recover from phantom motion just to land properly."
"Yeah… you're right," Strom said, crossing his arms.
"So… where's Aunt Dravyss?" Sam asked.
"Oh, mom's out on a vacation to her planet. Nothing's happened in two months, so… she's enjoying herself," Strom explained.
Sam groaned. "Yeah, she needs it… but why aren't you with her?"
"Because… we can't survive the air on her planet. No way. We'd be dead before seeing it," Strom replied.
Sam laughed, throwing his head back. "Man! We can't see her cool planet or meet her people… I'm dying!"
Strom smirked. "Dude… can't you summon a demonic entity so I can kill him? It's been over two months without blood."
Sam chuckled. "You really live for the fight, huh?"
"A knight doesn't retire," Strom said, grinning.
"Until you need a stick to walk," Sam teased.
"Hell yeah," Strom shot back.
Sam stretched, a grin spreading across his face. "Well… if you've got nothing to do, let's head to Astrid's house. Better than rotting here, right?"
"Hmm… good idea," Strom agreed.
Later that evening, they reached the Valkyrie territory, Astrid's domain. The house bustled with activity: Wraith and Flowra were busy decorating, while Astrid swung her axe, chopping wood for the fireplace.
Strom nudged Sam. "Go on… compliment her before I do."
Sam gulped. "Hey… babe… what's up?"
Astrid froze mid-swing, glaring at him. "You little mage… how dare you call me that?"
"I'm… screwed," Sam muttered under his breath.
"It's okay, Astrid," Strom said, stepping in smoothly. "By the way… you're looking insanely hot today. Training?"
Astrid rolled her eyes, smirking slightly. "Thanks… but no, not much training today."
They entered the house. The rest of the evening passed in laughter, food, and easy chatter. For a few precious hours, the world outside didn't exist.
Eventually, exhaustion claimed them all. One by one, they drifted off to sleep — unaware that calamity was quietly stirring in the shadows, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
Chapter 3 – Finally a Case
Two days later, Strom and Sam returned to the village. As soon as they arrived, they noticed people whispering in fear, glancing nervously at each other.
"They're talking about dead bodies," Strom muttered, ears straining.
Sam's grin widened. "Finally… some work! We don't have to rot in the house anymore."
Strom's eyes gleamed. "Hell yeah… a new mystery!"
"So… what about a night out? Let's solve this shit," Strom suggested eagerly.
Sam shook his head. "You ask me, and I say no. Not possible."
Strom huffed. "Then… let's just wait till night."
As the sun dipped below the horizon, the boys prepared for their night hunt, donning dark robes that made them look more like thieves than protectors. Their excitement was palpable — it had been two months since anything interesting had happened.
The night began. Strom and Sam wandered the village, searching for clues about the mysterious killer preying on villagers. People had gone missing at night, and their corpses were found the next day.
Hours passed. They searched every alley, roof, and shadow, but there was nothing — no blood, no signs, nothing.
Strom groaned. "Are we… fucked in terms of clues?"
Sam waved a hand. "Not just clues… there's a fucking army of mosquitoes too."
Strom slapped his forehead. "Let's just go… nothing here."
They returned home — not a single clue found. Only a few dead mosquitoes lay scattered on the floor.
Strom sighed. "So… what now?"
Sam's eyes narrowed. Suddenly, a flame burst from his hands, incinerating every mosquito in the room.
Strom blinked. "Okay… my bad."
Then, one stubborn mosquito buzzed straight at Strom. He struggled to strike it — it was too fast for his hands.
Sam laughed. "Wow… the Dragon Knight is useless! Can't even kill a mosquito."
Strom's eyes narrowed, blue fire igniting in his gaze. A blue blade appeared, slicing the mosquito in half mid-air.
"Some little dude is saying something," Strom muttered.
Sam smirked. "Now it's a war."
Strom grinned. "Let's see who can kill more mosquitoes."
"Okay," Sam replied eagerly.
They flung open all doors and windows, letting the mosquitoes swarm in. What began as a mystery hunt had now turned into a full-scale mosquito massacre competition. For Strom and Sam, it wasn't about solving the murders anymore — it was about proving dominance over every buzzing pest in the village.
Chapter 4 – The Nights
The next morning, Strom and Sam went out for news. The fear was all too real — more villagers had died overnight, yet no one could find any clue. Whoever or whatever was behind this moved without a trace.
Returning home, the two started brainstorming a new plan.
"We're wandering the whole night," Strom said, determination in his eyes.
"Master plan," Sam grinned.
Night fell again, and the boys began their patrol. But the results were the same: nothing, no clues, no trace, no mosquito even dared to bother them.
"Dude… now what?" Sam muttered after hours of fruitless searching.
"Just… fuck it. I want sleep," Strom groaned.
Sam shrugged. "Okay."
The pattern continued — wandering all night, sleeping all day, and nothing happening. For four nights straight, it was as if the world itself had gone silent.
On the fourth night, as they wandered, Sam's eyes caught a poster.
"Hmm… a new bar dancer," he said.
Strom leaned in. "Tasumi… the red-hot one?"
"What about this? Let's go check the bar," Sam suggested.
"Okay… let's see if we can find anything," Strom agreed.
"Hell yeah! Now the night's gonna be fun," Sam cheered.
"Control yourself, bro. If our girls find out about this, we're fucked," Strom warned.
"Who cares?" Sam smirked.
"Then let's fucking go."
They entered the bar and were instantly shocked. People weren't drinking beer — everyone's eyes were glued to the Japanese fan dance performed by Tasumi.
Strom muttered, "What the hell…"
Sam's grin widened. "Honestly… she's hot. Can't blame them."
"Enough to blame… but who knows," Strom muttered, joining the crowd.
As they watched, the villagers' comments grew disturbing:
Villager 1: "Oh, come on… I want more than a dance!"
Villager 2: "I want her… badly."
Villager 3: "I want that… MILF!"
Strom's blood boiled instantly. He almost leaped forward to crush them — he hated anyone disrespecting women.
"Strom… calm down," Sam whispered, stopping him.
"What happened?" Strom asked, teeth gritted.
"They're already drunk. Don't waste energy," Sam said.
Strom exhaled slowly. "So… this is how they talk to a girl?"
"See? She doesn't seem bothered, so who are we to interfere?" Sam shrugged.
Strom clenched his fists but had no choice.
They sat at a table, drinking only water, not touching the beer. When the show ended, they checked the bar once more. Still, nothing seemed suspicious.
They returned home and slept, uneasy.
The next morning, when they went out for news, they saw a familiar figure — the same man who had been at the bar the night before.
Flashback:
The man, drunken and crude, had yelled at the dancer:
"I want that… bitch in my bed!"
Now, the man was cut in half, lying in the street. Strom and Sam froze.
Something was very wrong with Tasumi.
Chapter 5 – The First Clash
Evening fell when Astrid and Wraith entered Strom's house.
Wraith – "Hey boys! What's up?"
Astrid – "So… what's going on?"
Strom – "Nothing. Just some guy hunting people at night."
Wraith – "So, you found out?"
Sam – "Nah. Not yet."
Astrid – "Then what's the plan?"
Strom – "Simple. We find out tonight."
The four nodded, ready. But Strom and Sam had already plotted a secret plan.
Sam – "We'll split up and cover more ground."
Strom – "Great plan."
But the truth was: Wraith and Astrid would wander the streets, while Strom would stay hidden in the bar to watch Tasumi. The girls had no idea, and the boys didn't plan to tell them.
Midnight Hunt
By 3 AM, Sam was muttering to himself.
Sam – "What the fuck… nothing again."
On the other side of the village, Wraith was scowling.
Wraith – "Come on… at least something to suspect."
Meanwhile, at the northern edge of the village, Astrid patrolled quietly, no armor, no sword. Suddenly, a man came running toward her in terror.
Man – "Please! Save me! Please—"
Before he could finish, a massive black katana sliced him in half.
Astrid froze. Her entire body shook as her eyes widened. Out of the shadows stepped a nightmare:
A fifteen-foot Samurai, towering and monstrous. His spiked black armor gleamed under the moonlight, and a suffocating dark aura poured from him like poison.
Astrid barely managed to dodge as his blade cut into the ground with an impact that cracked the earth. She turned and ran for her life. But the Samurai didn't pursue — he stepped back into the darkness and vanished.
Astrid stumbled straight into Wraith, trembling.
Wraith – "Astrid? What happened!?"
Astrid – "I saw him… A giant knight… terrifying… I— I couldn't even fight…"
Her voice cracked with something Wraith rarely saw from her: fear.
Later, they regrouped with Sam.
Sam – "Any clue?"
Astrid – "A giant knight! He cut a man in half! He was terrifying."
Sam – "Are you sure?"
Wraith – "Do you think we'd lie about this!?"
Sam – "No… I don't."
Astrid – "Where's Strom? We have to warn him."
Wraith – "Yeah… where is he?"
Sam swallowed hard. He knew Strom was in the bar, but he couldn't tell them.
Sam – "I don't know… maybe still wandering."
Wraith narrowed her eyes. – "We haven't seen him anywhere."
Astrid – "Sam. Are you hiding something?"
Sam – "No! Not a single thing."
Wraith – "Then why are you sweating?"
Sam – "Because I came running, that's why!"
Wraith – "Running? But no heavy breathing."
Before Sam could think of another excuse, Astrid grabbed him by the collar and lifted him effortlessly. His legs dangled in the air as he realized there was no way out.
Sam (sighing) – "…Fine. I'll tell you."
The Bar
They stormed into the bar — and found Strom asleep in a chair, chin tilted, hand loosely gripping the hilt of his blade.
Astrid's glare was nuclear.
Astrid – "This bastard…"
Wraith – "I know how to wake him."
She slapped Strom across the cheek, hard he almost fall.
Strom (jerking awake, rubbing his face) – "What the fuck!?"
Astrid – "Who the fuck told you to come here? To sleep in the bar!?"
Wraith – "Strom… you like drinking now?"
Strom (defensive) – "No! No, you both are wrong!"
Astrid – "I think I know why you're getting weak… instead of solving mysteries, you're wasting time enjoying yourself."
Strom's eyes narrowed on Sam, glaring like daggers. You told them, didn't you…
Sam raised both hands innocently, sweating even more.
Chapter 6 – The Silver Knight
The next morning, all four were sitting quietly inside the house. No one spoke. Strom kept dead silent, mostly because now the girls thought he was the type who loved beer and dancing.
Astrid – so you gonna say something, or keep acting like a corpse?
Strom – you guys won't believe me.
Wraith – you won't even let us believe you.
Sam – it's fine, we weren't there for fun anyway. The bar was for… research purposes only.
Astrid – oh really? So this little guy was also there?
Wraith – guess what Astrid, looks like we ruined their "fun night."
Strom – enough. We don't care about beer or dancers. The real problem is that after the dancer girl came here, the killings started.
Astrid – easy fix. Let's kill the dancer and be done with it.
Wraith – 10/10 plan, I agree.
Strom – I don't think it's that simple. A dancer girl and a knight covered in dark armor? Doesn't sound like coincidence.
Astrid – don't remind me of that. Total nightmare.
Wraith – then what's our move?
Strom – get your armor ready. We're hunting that knight tonight.
Wraith – …I don't have armor.
Sam – me neither.
Strom – well, new plan: those with armor get ready… those without, prepare to die without it. (laughs)
Sam – I hate you, man.
Wraith – why do I even like this idiot?
That night, the four gathered again. Weapons, armor, and staff were ready. They spread out through the village, searching in the dark.
But nothing. Not a single trace.
Strom – I have a plan, but I can't walk into a bar dressed like the Dragon Knight.
Sam – I'll go! (way too excited)
Astrid – don't get cocky, little mage. I know why you're smiling. But listen—don't you dare cheat on me.
Sam – yes ma'am.
Wraith – so whoever insults the dancer ends up cut down by that samurai.
Strom – looks like it.
Astrid – fine then. Let's move.
Sam entered the bar while the others waited outside. Hours later, he returned with news.
Sam – three drunks were talking the worst.
Strom – then we follow them.
Wraith – oh great… now we're stalking drunk idiots. Why is this my life?
Astrid – remember, the samurai's armor is so dark you can barely see it in the night.
Strom – got it.
The four split up, each tailing one of the drunks.
Not long after, Strom spotted a strange glow in the woods. He hid behind a bush and froze.
A knight in full armor stepped into view—except his armor wasn't dark. It shimmered silver, glowing like moonlight.
Strom (thinking) – but Astrid said he was covered in darkness… what the hell?
The knight rushed at one of the drunks. Strom leapt in to block him, but the samurai soared higher and split the man in a single strike. His silver blade was drenched crimson in an instant.
Strom hurled his spear, but the knight just stared at him silently… then turned and walked away.
Strom – hey! Where are you going?!
No answer. The knight simply vanished into the night.
Later, Astrid also witnessed the silver samurai strike down a man.
Astrid – hey! Big guy!
But the result was the same. A kill, then disappearance.
Finally, Wraith managed to intercept him, her speed just enough to block his strike. She fought fiercely, forcing the samurai into a duel.
Strom – let's go!
The four of them joined in, but the knight's speed, agility, and unnatural healing overwhelmed them. In the end, he still managed to kill the drunk man. Then, releasing a blast of silver aura, he vanished once again.
Strom – where did he go?!
Astrid – no idea… but he's not what I saw before.
Sam – man, he was huge… we looked like toddlers next to him.
Wraith – he only got mad when I stopped him, but never said a single word.
Strom – I think the answer isn't the drunks. We need to watch Tasumi.
Wraith – so the dancer's the reason behind the samurai's killings.
Astrid – meaning… she has two armors?
Strom – I don't think she's the samurai. But she definitely knows something.
The truth was now clear: Tasumi was connected to the Silver Knight.
Chapter 7 – The Fan Dancer
The next night, the hunt wasn't for drunken idiots. It was for Tasumi, the bar dancer.
She finished her performance, bowed, and slipped out the backdoor. The four trailed her — silent, steps light, not a whisper between them.
Through alleys, past broken walls, until she reached an abandoned house. She set her bag down, lit a weak fire, ate some fruit, then lay down to sleep on the cold floor.
From the shadows, Sam muttered, "So… she's just a poor girl? Not even money for rent?"
Strom's eyes narrowed. "No signs of a samurai on her."
Wraith crossed her arms. "Now what?"
Astrid's jaw tightened. "We talk to her. Enough hiding."
But before they moved, the air shifted. Cold, heavy. From the shadows emerged a towering figure — a samurai, fifteen feet tall, black armor spiked like a nightmare, aura suffocating. He stepped out only for a moment… and then slipped back into the dark.
"Fuck," Strom whispered.
Sam's lips trembled. "Nightmare's real."
Astrid's face paled. "It's him. The one I saw."
"Wake her," Wraith snapped.
They rushed the ruin, shook Tasumi awake. She jolted up, clutching her head, eyes red with exhaustion.
Tasumi: "W-what the hell? This is my private place! How did you—"
Wraith: "Cut the act. People are dying every night, cut in half. And that thing—your samurai—shows up while you're sleeping."
Tasumi: [her voice cracked] "My… headache won't stop. My life is ruined. People humiliate me, my body dances for coin… and my father hunts in the night. Slowly, I'm dying too."
Strom: "Wait… don't tell me that monster is your father."
Sam: "That's unnatural as hell."
Tasumi looked down. Her voice was thin, but steady.
"Yes. My father Roni… once, a great samurai. Protector of Eternity."
The team stayed silent. She continued.
The Lore of Roni
Tasumi: "Years ago, he lost everything. His village destroyed, allies slaughtered, his wife… gone. Only I survived, burned but alive. He hid me, kept me safe… but he was broken. Then one night he met a wizard."
Sam frowned. "What wizard?"
Tasumi: "An old man, cloaked, powerful. He saw through my father instantly."
Her voice lowered, recounting like she'd lived the memory herself.
Wizard: "You don't look like a farmer. You carry blood on your hands."
Roni: "Not your business, old man."
Wizard: "I can give you power. Revenge."
Roni: "...How do you know that's what I want?"
Wizard: "Because your eyes are already dead. Come with me, son."
Astrid whispered, "Fuck… that's word for word?"
Tasumi nodded and went on.
Tasumi: "He followed. The wizard showed him an ancient curse — the dark aura, a spirit of corruption. My father said he couldn't pay, but the wizard only asked for one thing in return: 'Bring me the Purple Stone of Darkness when your enemies are gone.'"
Strom muttered, "That stone…"
Tasumi: "The wizard forged him black armor — stronger than steel, absorbing damage itself. He gave him a dark katana, an ancient blade of hunger. And with that, my father slaughtered his enemies, every last one. He brought the purple stone back, and… instead of ending it, the wizard and my father worked together. Two monsters, hunting people."
Astrid's grip on her blade shook. "So your dad chose the dark."
Tasumi's eyes glistened. "Yes. I begged the wizard — begged him to stop. He looked at me… called me granddaughter, and said, 'Sorry for the pain, child. I will leave you now.' And then he vanished."
Wraith: "Wait… granddaughter?"
Tasumi: "That's what he said. But it didn't matter. My father didn't stop."
Sam: "So what did you do?"
Tasumi unclasped her necklace, showing them the locket.
"I followed the wizard's path. He gave me this yin-yang locket. He told me to make my father wear his old silver armor, then lock him inside. I did it. I thought it killed him… but it only trapped both halves. His true side — the silver samurai. His corrupted side — the dark."
Astrid: "So there's two. Not two armors — two samurai."
Tasumi nodded. "Yes. When drunks insult me, the dark one escapes to punish them. The silver side… he still fights, but it's buried. I saw it with my own eyes. My father was once light — but I locked him in a curse. And now, every time I call him back, every time I calm him… I die a little more."
She placed a small glowing purple stone into Strom's hand. It pulsed, then exploded with a burst of violet flame that made Strom stumble back.
Tasumi gasped. "What did you—?! That stone never reacts like this!"
Strom's chest ached. His eyes hardened. "…Darkius."
Tasumi froze. "Y-you know his name?"
Strom clenched his fists. "Yes. Because I was his student. That wizard… was Darkius."
The others stared in shock.
Sam: "You've gotta be shitting me."
Astrid: "That fucking bastard again…"
Wraith: "You're telling me this whole mess traces back to him?"
Strom's voice was low, furious. "I hate him more than anyone."
Before anyone could speak again, the ground trembled. The Dark Samurai erupted from the shadows, massive and furious, blade raised.
Tasumi collapsed to her knees, holding the locket out. "Father! Stop! They are my friends! Please—"
The giant froze. For a long, choking moment, the night went silent. Then, slowly, the samurai retreated back into the locket, shadows folding in.
Tasumi coughed blood, body trembling. Strom grabbed her, panicked.
Strom: "What's happening to you?"
Tasumi wiped red from her lips, voice broken. "Every time I calm him… the locket takes a piece of me. I don't have long."
The group was silent. The truth had landed like a hammer: the samurai wasn't hunting innocents. He was punishing those who insulted his daughter. But the cost was unbearable — every night, Tasumi herself paid with her life.
Strom looked at the purple stone in his hand, feeling the echo of Darkius inside. His voice was iron.
"This isn't about drunks. This is Darkius. He started it. And we end it."
Tasumi's hollow eyes lit faintly with hope. "I believe in you."
Chapter 8 – The Dark Samurai
When Tasumi woke, she was somewhere clean and warm. For the first time in a long time the world didn't smell like sweat and beer; it smelled like herbs and boiling soup. She blinked at the faces leaning over her — Strom, Sam, Astrid, Wraith — and then at the woman bustling in the kitchen.
Flowra beamed. "Eat. You look like you haven't had a proper meal in months."
Tasumi laughed weakly. She took a bowl Astrid handed her and each spoonful felt like heaven. Tears pricked her eyes before she could stop them. Astrid passed her a towel with an impatient smile.
Later, after the plates were cleared, they sat around the table. The house hummed with quiet domestic life — a dangerous sound for a group used to sudden alarms.
Strom folded his hands. "So — practical question. If Tasumi stops dancing, will your father stop appearing?"
Tasumi's fingers trembled on the rim of her cup. "Strom… I'm terrible at everything but dancing. I can barely cook for myself. Dance is what keeps my head together. It's how I survive."
Astrid snorted. "Girl, people objectify you at the bar, they insult you — and your father answers for that." She jabbed a finger at Tasumi, half angry, half protective. "You're moving in. Live here. No bar. No insults. End of story."
Tasumi's face crumpled. "I can't ask you to do that. I have nothing to pay you. I'll be a burden."
Astrid waved her hand like she was swatting a fly. "Money? We've got food, space. Wraith hates loneliness. Flowra will adopt you like a stray chicken. End of discussion."
Wraith grinned. "She's right. You stay here. We'll handle… everything else."
Tasumi swallowed. "But he'll come again. The stone that reacted in Strom's hand — after that, I felt him. His hunt didn't finish last night."
Strom's voice went sharp. "So he wakes tonight?"
Tasumi nodded. "He will try. If someone insults me or tries to hurt me… he comes."
Strom clenched his jaw. "Then we end it tonight. Full armor, full traps, everything. We lure him out and we kill him."
Astrid's eyes flashed. "Finally, a plan that doesn't involve me carrying a grumpy mage."
Sam jumped up. "I'll go set bait. I'm feeling heroic."
Wraith laid a hand on his shoulder. "Don't be stupid. We do this together."
They prepared like a war party: armor strapped, blades oiled, wards and trip-lines hidden in the grass. The chosen clearing lay miles from the village — a flat, empty plain where collateral damage would be minimal. They waited in the cold air, breaths white in the moonlight.
Strom turned to Tasumi. "Okay. When he comes, try to call him back. Calm him. We'll be ready."
Tasumi breathed. "I'll try."
She called. Soft words first, then louder, the words she had practiced when the locket burned her skin. For minutes nothing answered. The plain held only wind and the insects of night.
Sam frowned. "What the hell? You said he always comes."
Tasumi's face went pale. "I have never called him like this. He comes only when I am attacked or insulted."
Strom's brow tightened. "So our lure failed. Plan B — wait."
Silence stretched. Then, without warning, Strom shoved a spear at Tasumi's face. A wild idea — shock, to force a reaction. "If you won't call him, we'll make him come."
Sam's laugh died the instant Strom let go. The spear spun toward her — but before it could reach Tasumi, a black blade slammed into the shaft and knocked it aside. The sound of metal on metal ripped across the night.
"Father!" Tasumi screamed.
From the tree-line the dark samurai stepped, monumental and terrible, black armor spiking like a crown of thorns. He moved with a calm that made the hair rise on everyone's arms. He strode forward, eyes burning like coals.
But the locket on Tasumi's chest flared wildly — and with that flare came another presence. A silver radiance stabbed the air: the Silver Samurai burst free as well. For the first time, both halves of Roni were unleashed at once.
"No—no, not like this!" Tasumi wailed.
Strom shouted, "We didn't plan for both!" but there was no time for more words.
The two titans collided.
Silver met black — moonlight against pitch. The noise of steel on silver shattered the quiet: sparks flew, earth buckled; each strike sent shock-waves through the plain. The Silver Samurai moved like water—fast, precise, almost graceful—his blade a blur. The Dark Samurai was all mass and bone-crushing force, armor ringing like thunder when he struck.
The team watched, frozen between awe and horror. None of them dared step between blades that could cleave men in half. The hunt had become a duel that could level mountains.
Tasumi clutched the locket; she tried to call them back. Pain exploded through her chest each time she spoke. Her face twisted; blood welled at her lips.
"Stop! Please—" she gasped. The locket's light seared; two voices clashed in her head. She screamed, the sound raw and animal. The burden of holding both warriors at bay was killing her.
Strom and the others ran to her, but when they reached her she was already collapsing. Her skin went cold. Her hands slipped from the locket. The life drained out of her with terrifying speed.
"Tasumi!" Strom shouted, slamming his hand on her chest. "Wake up! Tasumi, please!"
Silence answered. Her eyes stared blank at the moon. Her breath slowed, then stopped.
For one impossible second, time went thin. The two samurai—still locked in their savage clash—seemed to strike with renewed fury at the loss that had made them free.
The fight escalated into fury. The Silver Samurai's speed pulled the Dark around, but the Dark's blows were brutal and devastating. Ground heaved; boulders split. The moonlight on silver and shadow on black turned the night into a storm of metal. Neither yielded.
Then, with a howl like a collapsing hill, the Dark Samurai landed a blow that split the Silver's helm clean. The Silver's body crumpled, and a silver aura — a bright, keening light — streamed from him. The Dark warrior opened his arms, and the silver light was drawn like iron to a magnet.
When the light finished folding into the Black, the change was grotesquely beautiful. The samurai's form shifted: one shoulder and gauntlet gleamed silver; other parts remained obsidian. Spikes grew. The blade's handle caught the moon and flashed. Where there had been two halves now stood one thing: a nightmare fused to moonlight.
They stared at the new shape, horror in their throats.
Strom's voice was a whisper. "The Dark-Silver Samurai."
It stood—taller, faster, stronger. It breathed, and its breath swept the grass flat. It had the speed and healing of silver, the armored brutality of dark. It turned its head toward the broken group and, with cold deliberation, took in Tasumi's lifeless form.
The choice was sudden and absolute: fight or die. The plain breathed in — then out — like the pause before a storm broke.
Strom tightened his grip on his spear and looked at his friends. "We don't run. We don't bargain. We fight."
Sam swallowed hard. "That thing… it's impossible."
Astrid slammed a fist to her chest. "Then we do the impossible."
Wraith's blade sang as she drew it, eyes hard as flint. "For Tasumi."
They charged.
But as they met that first step toward the Dark-Silver, every muscle in their bodies told them the truth: they were standing before something that had just swallowed two legendary warriors and become more than a fight. It was a force — a whole new war — and it had Tasumi's blood on its hands.
Night swallowed their cries. The battle began.
Chapter 9 – The Pain
The roar shook the night. Four warriors stood against the towering nightmare: the Dark-Silver Samurai.
Sam raised his staff high, chanting words that burned his throat. Lightning speared the sky, fireballs exploded against the samurai's chest, mana surged in violent bursts — but the giant didn't flinch. The black-and-silver armor drank the storm.
Astrid swung her big Valkyrie blade, steel from hell itself, blessed with ancient magic. Each strike met the black katana, ringing so loud the plains trembled. Sparks lit the night with every clash. Astrid's arms ached, but she roared back, refusing to bow.
Strom, without his pendant, was raw muscle and stubborn rage. Blue blades shimmered in his hands. He hurled his spear with all the force of his dragon blood, drove fists into the armor, stabbed again and again — but each wound sealed instantly.
Wraith was a blur under the full moon. Claws flashing, dagger cutting, speed bending air. She slipped under the samurai's reach, carving shallow lines, trying to keep him occupied so others could strike. Her movements were so fast the silver moonlight smeared into streaks around her.
Yet still… the Dark-Silver Samurai stood unshaken.
One black katana strike slammed Strom back. His armor crumpled, body crashing into the dirt. Blood filled his mouth.
The samurai turned with silver speed — Wraith barely dodged the first slash, but the second caught her side and sent her crashing into stone. The crack of impact echoed like thunder.
Sam kept his distance, mana bleeding from his skin like smoke. Astrid stood firm, but her strength was draining, every block rattling her bones.
Strom forced himself up, ribs screaming. His dragon aura — the heart of his power — was gone. But still, he fought. Blue blades flared one last time before the katana cut him down again, slamming him beside Tasumi's lifeless body.
Breath ragged, vision blurred, Strom looked at her cold face. His whisper trembled.
"I need to stop him… but how?"
Then he saw it: the yin-yang locket still clutched in her fingers.
Memories crashed back — Darkius, his old master. The man who taught him the forbidden arts. Strom realized he could control the power… if he lived long enough to bear it.
"I need a buff…"
His eyes darted to Wraith, unconscious and bleeding, her demon blood shining faintly blue under the moon.
He crawled to her side. "Sorry, sweetheart… this will hurt."
He summoned a blade and cut her palm. The demoness's royal blood spilled, glowing like liquid fire. The locket pulsed, responding instantly. Strom seized it, hands shaking.
He screamed into the night:
"Roni! STOP! Return now!"
The locket blazed. Agony exploded in Strom's skull. His veins lit like molten iron. Every nerve screamed. The pain was unbearable — the pain Tasumi endured every night. Strom fell to his knees, roaring as if his head was splitting apart.
The Dark-Silver Samurai froze mid-strike. Silver and black aura ripped from its body, drawn back into the pendant. With a howl of rage, the giant was pulled inch by inch, dragged into the light, until only silence remained.
The samurai was gone. The locket dimmed.
And Strom collapsed.
Wraith stirred, dragging herself toward him. She cradled his face, helmet torn off. "Strom, wake up! Please!"
His eyes flickered open — one burned silver, the other black. He screamed again, clutching his head. For a terrifying moment he wasn't Strom anymore, but something else. Then, slowly, the glow faded. His blue eyes returned. He fell back, gasping but alive.
"I'm okay, Wraith," he whispered. "I'll be fine."
Tears blurred her eyes. "Thank God…"
Astrid limped over, blade resting heavy on her shoulder. "Did we… win?"
Sam staggered, coughing blood. "If victory means nearly dying, then yeah. But Strom — don't you ever summon that freak again."
Strom wiped his mouth, breathless. "Roni's gone. I can feel it. The armor is empty."
Wraith stared at the locket. "Empty… so no more samurai?"
Strom shook his head. "No. Not empty. Bound. The Dark-Silver Samurai is mine now… a servant without a soul."
Sam's eyes widened. "Bro… don't. Please. That thing isn't a servant, it's a curse."
The battlefield lay in ruin, craters and broken earth where titans clashed. Tasumi's body lay still among the wreckage.
Later, they stood in silence before a fresh grave. Flowers swayed in the night wind. Tasumi's name was carved in stone.
Wraith whispered, voice breaking. "She was different… she died trying to save us."
Astrid's jaw tightened. "She just wanted peace. But life shows no mercy."
Sam lowered his head. "I hope she finds her family… somewhere better than here."
Strom's voice was quiet, raw. "Heaven gained another angel. I hope she finally finds the happiness she never had."
They turned from the grave together, heavy steps carrying them into the dark.
They had not fought a monster, or a villain, or even a samurai. They had fought a father — desperate to protect his daughter at any cost.
And in victory… they had lost something far greater.