The fire didn't feel like fire.
It didn't burn.
It answered him.
Crimson flames spiraled around Ren's arm, forming a blade of pure energy. The demon staggered back, its hollow eyes flickering.
"That power…" it hissed. "It cannot be."
Ren didn't understand what was happening. His heart pounded violently, yet his body moved on its own. The flames extended, shaping into a katana made of red light.
The moment the demon lunged again—
Ren swung.
A single slash tore through the rooftop air.
The world went silent.
The demon split in two, dissolving into ash before it even hit the ground.
The crimson blade vanished instantly.
Ren collapsed to his knees.
"What… was that…?"
Below, sirens wailed. The red eclipse still stained the sky.
Then—
Clap.
Clap.
Clap.
Slow applause echoed behind him.
"You survived longer than expected."
Ren turned sharply.
A girl stood near the rooftop entrance.
She wore a traditional shrine maiden outfit—white kimono top, crimson hakama. Long black hair flowed down her back, and her silver eyes reflected the bleeding moon above.
She didn't look afraid.
She looked… calm.
"Who are you?" Ren demanded.
She walked toward him, wooden sandals tapping softly against broken concrete.
"My name is Aiko Tsukiyama," she said gently. "And you are Ren Akihara… the final heir of the Spirit Blade clan."
Ren stiffened. "I don't know what you're talking about."
Aiko stopped in front of him and extended her hand.
"You awakened tonight because the seal has broken."
As if summoned by her words, a tremor shook the rooftop.
In the distance, a massive pillar of black energy spiraled into the sky from the center of the city.
Ren's eyes widened. "What is that?"
"The first gate," Aiko whispered. "The demons are crossing over."
Another roar echoed—louder this time.
Aiko's calm expression darkened.
"You killed a scout," she said. "Now the generals will come."
Ren stood shakily. "Generals?"
Before she could answer—
BOOM.
The rooftop exploded inward.
A towering figure stepped through the smoke.
Unlike the first demon, this one had a humanoid shape. Pale gray skin. Long white hair. Black armor fused into its flesh.
And six glowing eyes.
"Well," the creature smiled. "I was hoping the heir would be disappointing."
Its voice was smooth. Almost amused.
"But you… interest me."
The air became heavy. Ren couldn't breathe.
His body refused to move.
Aiko stepped forward, placing herself between Ren and the demon.
"You shouldn't have crossed early, General Kael."
The demon tilted its head. "Ah… the shrine vessel."
Aiko's sleeves fluttered as golden light began gathering around her hands.
"You are not permitted to interfere," she said calmly.
Kael laughed. "And you are not permitted to exist."
In an instant, he vanished.
Ren blinked—
And Kael reappeared in front of Aiko, claw raised.
Ren felt something inside him surge again.
Not fear.
Not anger.
Instinct.
"MOVE!"
Crimson flames erupted once more, blasting outward in a shockwave that forced Kael back several meters.
Ren stood between them now.
Breathing heavily.
Eyes glowing faint red.
Kael stared at him in silence… then smiled wider.
"Yes," he whispered. "That's the power."
"But you're still incomplete."
With a flick of his fingers, black chains erupted from the ground, wrapping around Ren's body before he could react.
The flames vanished instantly.
Ren gasped as the chains tightened.
Aiko's eyes widened. "Spirit-sealing chains—?!"
Kael stepped forward, gripping Ren's chin.
"Listen carefully, heir," he said softly. "The Demon King is waking."
His six eyes glowed brighter.
"And when he does… we will finish what your ancestor started."
He threw Ren across the rooftop like a rag doll.
Everything blurred.
Concrete cracked beneath his body.
Aiko raised both hands, golden light exploding outward as sacred symbols formed in the air.
"Return to the abyss!"
A blinding flash consumed the rooftop.
When Ren opened his eyes—
The general was gone.
The eclipse had faded.
The sky was normal again.
Only the wind remained.
Ren slowly sat up.
Aiko stood silently at the edge of the roof, staring at the horizon.
"He let us live," she said quietly.
Ren clenched his fists. "Why?"
"Because you're not strong enough yet."
The words stung more than his injuries.
She turned to him, silver eyes unwavering.
"If you stay here, you will die."
Ren swallowed.
"Then what am I supposed to do?"
Aiko stepped closer.
"For now…"
She extended her hand again.
"Come with me."
Far above the clouds, hidden from human eyes—
A crack formed in the sky.
And from within the darkness beyond—
Something ancient opened its eyes.