The ground split open beneath Rudravana.
Cracks raced through the soil like veins, dark energy seeping upward as the two demons stepped forward. The villagers screamed and scattered, fear crushing the brief hope they had just reclaimed.
Arin didn't move.
Chakra roared around his body, forming a shimmering armor that pressed against the air itself. His grip tightened around his sword.
"You're not taking her," he said.
The taller demon tilted its head, amused.
"You misunderstand," it replied calmly. "We are not here to fight you."
In a blur, the second demon vanished.
Arin's instincts screamed.
He spun, chakra exploding from his feet as he intercepted the demon mid-air. Their clash sent a shockwave tearing through nearby houses.
The demon smiled.
"Fast," it whispered. "But not enough."
Dark chains erupted from its arm, wrapping around Arin's sword and dragging it aside. The other demon raised its hand.
The sky darkened.
A massive pressure slammed down on Arin's body, forcing his knees into the ground. His chakra flared wildly, resisting—but cracking.
"Brother!" Aanya screamed.
Arin roared, forcing himself up inch by inch.
"I said—STAY AWAY FROM HER!"
He slammed his palm into the ground.
Chakra surged outward in a violent wave, blasting both demons back. The village walls collapsed. Dust filled the air.
For a moment—just a moment—Arin thought he had turned the tide.
Then he felt it.
Pain.
Not from his body.
From his blood.
A burning sensation crawled through his veins as the demon standing nearest raised its hand—now dripping with blood.
Arin's blood.
"Confirmed," the demon said quietly. "The Demon Link exists."
Arin froze.
The words echoed in his mind like a curse.
The demon's eyes locked onto Aanya again.
"Your sister carries the key. But you…" it smiled slowly, "…you are the bridge."
Arin felt something inside him snap.
His chakra twisted—darkened—pulsed with something ancient and furious. The air screamed.
The demons stepped back for the first time.
Interesting, the taller one thought.
Arin launched forward, faster than before. His punch landed—hard.
The demon's chest caved in.
But it didn't die.
Instead, the demon laughed as blood spilled from its mouth.
"So it's true," it said. "You really don't know what you are."
The second demon raised its hand.
A symbol burned into the air.
A portal tore open behind Aanya.
Arin turned, horror flooding his face.
"No!"
He threw his sword.
Too late.
Dark hands reached out, dragging Aanya toward the rift.
She screamed his name.
Arin felt his heart break.
With a roar that shook the heavens, he plunged his hand into the portal—grabbing her wrist just before she vanished.
Pain exploded through his arm.
The demon's voice echoed from within the rift.
"Find us, Arin."
The portal snapped shut.
Silence fell.
Arin collapsed to his knees.
His arm smoked, black markings slowly crawling up his skin.
The village lay in ruins.
His sister was go
ne.
And somewhere deep inside his chest, something ancient had awakened.
Something that answered only to demons.
---
To be continue...