The glow of the evening sun setting over Tokyo's skyscrapers cast a stunning reflection on the black water that erupted beneath Yanzaki's feet. The air was rife with the stench of Sulphur. A few moments ago, the busy intersection was a war zone. Shattered glass littered the ground, twisted metal screeched from mangled vehicles, and black smoke billowed from an overturned vending machine as the sound of police sirens and people's screams spread.
Yanzaki continued to prepare for battle when he heard a hard-to-hear laugh like pebbles grinding against each other. The ground creaked beneath his opponent's hand, vibrating as she needed it.
"Damn it!" she said with a smile. "I was hoping to see Kai, but what are you, a useless borrower, doing here?"
"If you're going to fight, then do it," Yanzaki said with an emotionless face. "I have more work to do."
"Tsk," Kami hissed, exasperated by her opponent. The ground shook and huge chunks of rock rose from the ground as their sides facing Yanzaki, became sharp like razor-sharp points. "I'm Kami," she said, brushing her long black hair back. "You don't look too bad, you lousy Borrower." At the same time, she threw her earth pillars into Yanzaki. With a flick of his wrist, Yanzaki summoned his swirling vortex of obsidian liquid. The rocky blocks and the acidic water collided, dissolving them into molten slag before reaching Yanzaki. Kami looked a little shocked.
"So you're no ordinary Borrower." She said with a wicked smile. "I didn't expect to see you here, Yanzaki Nakajima! Or should I say Styx?" When Kami stomped her foot hard, the earth shook around her. From the cracked main road, a huge hand created from the earth rose from the ground with fingers as big as tree trunks that reached out to Yanzaki. But before it could grab him, Yanzaki jumped back and hit it with a tilt of Styx. It snaked its way to the earthen hand with unnatural speed, wrapping itself around one thick finger, then the another. Styx bubbled up the acidic water, easily dissolving the monstrous rock. A large earthen hand collapsed, sending a shower of debris onto Kami.
"DAMN IT, YOU FILTHY BORROWER!" A roar of anger erupted from Kami. With an earth-shattering shock, Kami ripped two buildings from their foundations and threw them at Yanzaki as easily as throwing pebbles. Calm in the midst of the chaos, Yanzaki raised both his hands. The water of the Styx erupted, roaring like a black shield to meet the onslaught. Buildings crashed into the liquid barrier, their steel frames dislodged, concrete shattered, all destroyed by a sound swallowed by the Styx.
"DIE!!!!! DIE YOU DAMN AVATAR!"
When Yanzaki attacked her, Kami jumped back, using a boulder as cover to avoid it. "From Borrower to Avatar," Yanzaki said slowly, launching one attack after another without giving Kami a chance to think. "You're afraid, aren't you?"
"Like I care," Kami exploded with raw power, the smell of ozone filling the air as she quickly threw herself at Yanzaki. Yanzaki dodged the charge with inhuman agility, and as Kami flashed past him, Styx coiled behind her like a black serpent. When Kami saw it, it was too late. Her foot was caught by the Styx water and a horrible scream escaped from her throat. The acid water ate away at her leg, melting flesh and veins at an alarming rate.
As Kami's grunts turned into screams of pain, she cut her leg to stop Styx's effect from spreading throughout her body. Yanzaki watched with emotionless eyes as she was thrown like a ragged doll onto the ground. "You're still not late," he said slowly. "Acknowledge your fault—"
"Shut up you moron!" Fury twisted Kami's face, a grotesque mask of agony and defiance. Yanzaki let out a sigh. "Then, let's end this."
As Kami prepared to charge again, Yanzaki pointed one of his fingers at her, and the coiled Styx came forward with great speed, wrapping around Kami's remaining leg.
Kami screamed as she thrashed, but Styx's grip did not loosen. It wrapped around her like a python stalking its prey. "No! No!" she screamed. She, a powerful Demigod, was being defeated by a lousy borrower. "You, Yanzaki Nakajima!" She cried out as Styx pulled past her waist. "I'll destroy everything you own, everything you value... ahh!!!" She cried out in pain. Yanzaki showed no emotion as usual. His eyes were empty as if he was really tired. In the end, silently, Kami was destroyed by Styx. The black water hungrily swirled around her and finally, her screams became a hoarse voice. There was no longer a particle of Kami when the water disappeared.
Silence descended on the ruined intersection. Yanzaki stood there alone. His clothes were torn, and Styx retreated to where it had come from. In the distance, sirens blared, the flickering evening sunlight a mournful portrait of a city on the brink. Finally, he let out a long sigh. A bitter taste filled his mouth as he surveyed the destruction around him. "It's dark."
"Aren't we supposed to be allies? Why in the world are we fighting each other? I really can't get it." He was silently looking at the earth as if silently farewell to Kami. "Rest in peace," he whispered. "Though I don't know you well."
"Nakajima Senpai!" Yanzaki raised his head slightly when he heard a voice behind him. "Kai?" Yanzaki said, looking at the young man with deep sea-like eyes. He too was all upside down as if he had come fighting his way. "Thank god, you are here." He said hesitantly. "I came here quickly dusting off the monsters in my way, but it looks like you already finished the boss. Sorry to bother you on your day off." Kai said, scratching the back of his head in embarrassment. Yanzaki smiled softly.
"By the way, Nakajima Senpai. Is it true that you are going to Nagoya?" Kai asked curiously as he walked alongside Yanzaki. With his hands in his pockets, Yanzaki slowly shook his head. "Miwa and Haru's school vacation has started. They have been waiting for that trip for a long time. I can't turn them down."
Kai's eyes shone with pride. It seemed he respected his senior from the bottom of his heart. "Nakajima senpai," Kai whispered as the police passed them. "I always wish I was Haru. Then I would have a big brother like you."
Yanzaki just smiled slightly at that. Descended from a powerful business family, Kai was more than honest and kind. On the other hand, Kai had no idea what Yanzaki had gone through to take care of his younger siblings after losing his parents at such a young age.
"You don't have to be Haru," Yanzaki said, patting Kai's head. "You too my brother anyway."
***
"Stop that!" Miwa shouted angrily. Tying her long black hair into a bun, she threw the comb in her hand at Haru and snarled angrily. "Oh c'mon, my little sis. Don't be like that." Haru ruffled Miwa's hair again and ran away.
"Are you a baby?" Miwa yelled back, throwing everything she could get her hands on. "Go mind your own business."
Throwing his hands up as if to admit defeat, he ran to the living room and jumped onto the sofa with his face down. "Ah, I'm bored. Isn't Nii-Chan coming?" He turned on the other side and turned on the television. Haru's face suddenly changed. Tokyo was completely turned upside down. "What the hell?" He told himself unconsciously. The police interpreted it as an earthquake. But then the front door opened and Haru rushed towards it. "Nii-Chan! Are you okay? To-to-Tokyo-"
"I'm fine," Yanzaki closed the door as he entered the house, ruffling Haru's hair. "But…Nii-Chan, is it really okay?" Haru asked worriedly looking at his brother's torn clothes. Hearing Haru's scream, Miwa came out of her room, combing the mess from her hair caused by Haru. Her eyes widened and she stopped in shock when she saw Yanzaki in tattered clothes.
"I'm fine, don't worry." He said to comfort his younger siblings. "Are you two ready?"
Miwa Pout. "If this idiot hadn't messed up my hair, I would have been ready."
Yanzaki smiled.
"I'll be ready soon. Give me a minute."
"Nii-Chan," Haru spoke in a soft voice as Yanzaki ran into the room. "Should we have to go today?"
Yanzaki stared at Haru for a while. Haru was not usually one to say such things. Thinking he was shocked by the news, Yanzaki smiled softly. "You've been waiting a long time, haven't you? So, there's no reason not to go."
Even as he reached his room and closed the door, Haru watched silently. He was feeling restless. It felt to him, death was beckoning them.