The city was quiet. Too quiet.
Kaien Draven walked home through narrow streets lit only by the pale glow of broken street lamps. His steps echoed against the concrete, but his hand never strayed far from his pocket, where he felt the faint pulse of his blade.
Oblivion Fang.
It was there even when unseen, humming within him like a second heartbeat.
He had hoped that after the festival battle, there would be peace. Just one night. But the whisper in his chest said otherwise.
"Stronger prey is coming."
Kaien narrowed his eyes. "I figured."
---
The Ambush
The air shifted. Shadows moved where there was no light. From the corner of the alley, something crawled out — tall, jagged, and grotesque.
Its body was humanoid, but its arms stretched into blades, its spine arched unnaturally. Its face was twisted with a grin too wide, its teeth jagged like shattered glass. And its eyes — three of them — glowed red, stacked vertically on its forehead.
This wasn't like the others.
Kaien froze. It's faster… and smarter.
The demon tilted its head, laughing. The sound was sharp, intelligent. It spoke, voice like knives scraping metal.
"Slayer… Kaien Draven…"
Kaien's blood ran cold. "You… know my name?"
The creature's grin widened. "The Abyss knows all who are marked. You've slain my kin. Tonight, I'll return the favor."
Before Kaien could summon his blade, the demon lunged. Its movement blurred, faster than any Kaien had faced. Claws sliced across the wall where he had been standing just a breath ago.
Kaien rolled, his hand snapping out.
"Oblivion Fang — awaken!"
The sword erupted into his grip, purple lightning splitting the night.
---
Clash of Blades
The demon's blade-arm came down with crushing force. Kaien met it with his sword, sparks flying. The impact rattled his bones. He slid back across the cracked pavement, boots grinding.
It's strong… too strong.
The creature laughed, pressing forward. Each strike came faster, heavier, forcing Kaien on the defensive. He ducked one swing, countered, only for the demon to twist unnaturally, dodging in ways no human could.
"You're not enough," it hissed. "You can't protect them."
Images of Aria's terrified face from last night flashed in Kaien's mind. His grip tightened.
"I don't need to protect everyone," he growled. "I just need to kill you."
With a surge of power, he pushed back, his blade glowing brighter. He spun, slashing across the demon's torso. Purple fire seared its flesh, forcing a scream from its throat.
But instead of dying, the wound closed, knitting itself together with tendrils of shadow.
Kaien's eyes widened. It's healing…?
The demon chuckled, stepping closer. "We evolve, Slayer. Every battle makes us stronger. Soon, nothing will stop us. Not even you."
---
The Turning Point
The demon vanished. One blink, and it was gone.
Kaien's instincts screamed. He twisted — too late. The creature appeared behind him, claws raking across his back. Pain exploded as he staggered forward, barely catching himself.
Blood dripped from his uniform. His breaths came ragged.
If I fight like before… I'll lose.
The whisper inside him stirred.
"Unleash me fully. Call upon the shadows. Accept what you are becoming."
Kaien's jaw clenched. He didn't trust the voice — but he had no choice.
Closing his eyes, he let the power surge. Shadows burst from his feet, spiraling like tendrils around him. His sword pulsed with violet lightning until it roared like thunder.
The demon faltered for the first time. "What… what are you?"
Kaien opened his glowing eyes.
"I'm your end."
---
The Execution
The street cracked beneath him as Kaien moved. Faster. Sharper. His blade cut through the night in arcs of light.
The demon slashed back, but Kaien was already gone, appearing behind it in a blur.
One strike.
Two strikes.
Three.
Each swing tore chunks of shadow from the creature, its healing too slow to keep up. The air filled with its shrieks.
The final blow came swift and merciless. Kaien thrust Oblivion Fang through its chest, the blade piercing straight through the demon's core. Purple fire erupted, consuming the monster as it screamed its last.
Its body collapsed into ash, leaving only silence.
Kaien stood trembling, chest heaving, blood dripping from his back.
The blade hummed lowly, satisfied.
---
The Watchers' Judgment
Far away, in the hidden chamber of the cloaked figures, the white-haired leader smiled.
"He adapts quickly. Faster than expected."
Another figure, cloaked in shadow, hissed. "But the boy is reckless. The more power he draws, the closer he binds himself to the Abyss."
The leader's golden eyes gleamed. "Exactly. That is why he may be the only one who can stand against the Demon King."
---
Kaien's Oath
Kaien staggered home under the fading moonlight, his wounds burning, his vision blurring. He collapsed onto his bed, the sword fading from his grip.
As his eyes closed, he whispered into the darkness:
"I'll kill every last one of you. No matter how strong you get… I'll cut you all down."
The shadows answered with silence.
But somewhere, deep in the Abyss, something laughed.