Without warning, Rhy lunged at the group, its appendages flailing with deadly precision. Aruma roared, his body enveloped in a fierce, golden aura as he summoned his heavenly armour, blocking the precisions. The fire of the Pyre crackled, winds howled, and the earth trembled as Aruma tried to maintain his balance, guarding others in order to make an opening. Using the Blindspot, Kazuki and Hiroshi rushed at Rhy, attacking him parallely.
" Fools " murmured Rhy to himself
Rhy raised his hand and started to mimick, the strumming pattern of a zither. As Rhy pulled his fingers in a rhythmic pattern, Thum's body started to twisted and curl, sprouting blood from this remains. Two skeleton figure emerged from the strings, and blocked Hiroshi's and Kazuki's way.
" Damn it " said Hiroshi
" I think I can do something, however it will cause you more pain " said Abel to Thum
The strings glowed with a sinister light, imbued with dark magic, and every pull by Rhy made Thum scream in agony and pain. His screams echoed through the forest.
With a wicked grin, Rhy plucked at the strings, sending a wave of dark energy coursing toward Hiroshi and Gorosuke.
" GRANDPA ! " shouted Hiroshi
Gorosuke tried to dodge the upcoming attack but it was swift and brutal, slicing through the air with a haunting melody.
Gorosuke roared in pain as the strings' magic wrapped around his arms, biting into his skin and causing blood to gush forth.
" NOW YOU HAVE DONE IT, I WILL FUCKING KILL YOU " said Hiroshi
" Toraje sama lend me the energy, I need it now !! " said Hiroshi
" Let's go " said Toraje
" Animal fury, spirit unleashed :- Raijin bolts "
Hiroshi summoned six pairs of lightening bolts, carrying 3 in each hand as he jumped on one of the appendage and rushed towards Rhy's head. The ground was stained with their blood, and the air was thick with the scent of iron and burning flesh. Gorosuke used the opportunity to summon his animal spirit.
" You have two animal spirits ?? " asked Ryu
" Yes " replied Gorosuke
" What about that owl " asked Jetchi
" I gave him to Abel " he replied again
" Namake sama !! Lend me your energy as I summon you !! " said Gorosuke as he clenched his fist and rushed at Rhy
" It's been a long time Goro..I won't ask any questions as you know you are wise enough to actually understand it already..battle and battle hard for you must win " a voice echoed
An aura of a big black sloth bear appeared behind Gorosuke as his tore the upper half of his kimono, revealing a V shaped scar running from his clavicle to his navel.
Gorosuke, despite his wounds, summoned the strength of the bear, his body enveloped in a powerful aura as he charged forward.
" Tch annoying pests..all of them at the same time? This Aruma is blocking their path..protecting them..I need to get rid of him 1st then focus on Hiroshi " said Rhy.
With a flick of his wrist, the zither strings ensnared Hiroshi's bolts that he threw at Rhy, tearing them apart and sending it's scattered sparks into the night. Gorosuke's mighty fists connected with the demon's torso, only to be met with a sickening crunch as the demon's appendages coiled around him, crushing his ribs and drawing more blood.
" Now it's Aruma " said Rhy as he walked towards him, calmly and gracefully
" Don't ignore me, you bastard, take this you demon " said Kazuki as he connected a plethora of devasting kicks in the abdomen and thoracic region. Rhy looked at him disgrace
" DON'T MAKE FUN OF ME, YOU BASTARD, I'LL KILL YOU!! " shouted Kazuki
Kazuki jumped and connected 2 scissor kick and a scorpion kick. Kazuki used his wrist to land and rotated his body to land a third kick, aimed for Rhy's neck. However Rhy simply grunted as he grabbed Kazuki's leg and slammed him in a nearby tree, continuing to walk towards Aruma.
Amid the chaos, Thum writhed in agony, his life force feeding the dark magic of the strings. Aruma blocked the attacks desperately, slashing his back as his blood mingling with the dirt beneath them. Rhy continued his merciless assault, driven by an insatiable hunger for destruction.
" This freshen up my memory, Aruma..this is how exactly..who was it? Kae was it? Kae was in the same position as you, but you were unconscious and he was taking the beating, to protect you...and now you are here protecting Yuen's body as well as those 2 girls..I must say you have grown out of your shell and you finally became a man.. unfortunately you are still, half the man Kae was... useless as always " said Rhy
Aruma gritted his teeth with rage as he turned around and grabbed the 2 appendages attacking him. Rhy stood in silence as he was shocked.
" Don't you dare say his name from your filthy mouth... " said Aruma as he punched Rhy.
Rhy who let his guard down, was staggered, giving Aruma time to grab Gorosuke and dash away.
" Are you ok? " asked Aruma
" Barely " said Gorosuke as he coughed
" Damn it " said Rhy as he turned around
" GUY'S NOW!!! " shouted Jetchi
" What the? " said Rhy as looked around
With a swift motion, Ryu launched himself into the air, his body a blur of motion. The wind howled around him, and with a flick of his wrist, he sent razor-sharp gusts slicing toward Rhy. The demon turned, its appendages lashing out to deflect the surprise attack, but the wind's speed and precision cut deep gashes into its flesh.
Jetchi threw a burning log which he picked from the Pyre towards Kanako.
Kanako moved swiftly, with practiced precision, she hurled the burning log into the air. The log spun, its flames casting a sharp, elongated shadow across the forest floor.
" NOW!! shouted Jetchi
Mimiko seized the opportunity, directing Rhy's shadow to intersect with the log's shadow, immobilizing the demon. Mimiko began to chant, her voice low and resonant. Her hands moved in intricate patterns, and Rhy's shadow began to twist and warp under her control. The demon snarled, trying to break free, but Mimiko's grip was ironclad.
Rhy roared in frustration, its appendages thrashing wildly as it struggled against the combined forces of Jetchi, Ryu, Mimiko, and Kanako. Jetchi, seizing the moment, leaped forward and he struck at Rhy's exposed side with a sword. Ryu used more air pressure to pin Rhy to the ground but Rhy resisted. Determined, Rhy sprouted additional pair of appendages to push against the ground, preventing him from being pinned. Ryu, still airborne, summoned a powerful gust of wind, propelling himself downward with the force of a hurricane. He aimed directly at Rhy's head, his crane spirit enhancing his strike with pinpoint accuracy. The impact was devastating, sending him reeling.
Bound by shadows and assaulted from all sides, Rhy's once-mighty form began to falter. The forest echoed with the sounds of battle, the screams of the wounded, and the relentless.
" This is the final push !!! C'MON HIRO !! NOW, C'MON!!! " shouted Kanako
Hiro clenched his claws and rushed at Rhy, aiming for the neck.
" Damn it... I am being cornered.. no way I am getting defeated by a bunch of teenagers..I refuse to believe this..I won't surrender not now " Rhy said to himself
" NOWW!!! " shouted Jetchi Kanako in sync
Hiro jumped in the air to slash Rhy's neck, finishing the battle. As Hiro landed his strike, everyone was in shock. In the nick of time, Rhy used the strings to pull Thum's body near him and used him as a shield. Hiro's strike did connect, but slashed Thum's torso, puncturing his stomach and abdomen. The intensity of the attack was strong enough to nick Rhy's chest, leaving a singular scratch mark.
" Thank you brother " said Rhy as he threw away Thum's body