The industrial district was bathed in eerie shadows as Shiro and Chiyo faced Nareth. The rogue general stood motionless, his crimson aura pulsing faintly in the dim light. His confident smirk and piercing gaze made it clear he was unfazed by their presence.
Nareth: "You're brave, I'll give you that. Two boys against me? Either you're fools or your leaders have abandoned you."
Shiro gripped Radiance tightly, his dark energy flickering at his side as he shifted into a battle stance.
Shiro: "We're not afraid of you. Whatever you're planning, it ends here."
Chiyo spun his spear, his eyes narrowing.
Chiyo: "Enough talk. Let's see how tough you really are."
Without warning, Nareth moved. In a blur of speed, he was upon them, his fist striking Shiro squarely in the chest. The impact sent Shiro flying backward, crashing into a pile of rusted barrels. Before Chiyo could react, Nareth's knee connected with his gut, doubling him over.
Nareth: "Is that all? Pathetic."
Shiro coughed, struggling to his feet as Kageboshi's voice echoed in his mind.
Kageboshi: "Focus, Shiro! This isn't a fight you can win alone. Work with Chiyo or you'll both die here."
Chiyo groaned, steadying himself with his spear. Yamitsuki's calm, firm voice cut through the chaos in his mind.
Yamitsuki: "Precision, Chiyo. He's toying with you. Strike when it matters."
The two exchanged a quick glance, an unspoken agreement forming between them. They attacked in unison, Shiro's shadows weaving around Chiyo's spear as they pressed forward. Nareth dodged and parried with ease, his movements fluid and calculated.
Nareth: "Better, but still far from enough."
He countered with a devastating kick that shattered Shiro's shadow barrier and sent Chiyo sprawling. Both boys struggled to recover, their energy waning as Nareth's aura intensified.
At Kagemoritai Headquarters
Kenzo paced the command room, his usual confidence replaced by grim determination. Akira stood nearby, his arms crossed, his expression unreadable. The report from the field agents had just come in.
Agent: "The rogue devil spotted in the industrial district has been classified as an S-Rank. The energy readings are off the charts, and its aura suggests it's no ordinary rogue."
Kenzo's jaw tightened.
Kenzo: "Damn it. Those kids don't stand a chance."
Akira's gaze remained fixed on the monitor, where a faint trace of Nareth's aura flickered.
Akira: "We underestimated how far this has escalated. This new presence confirms the generals are mobilizing, but It also looks like a familiar aura."
Kenzo slammed his fist against the table.
Kenzo: "We're wasting time talking. If we don't get there now, they're done for."
Akira glanced at him, his usual calm demeanor wavering for a moment.
Akira: "You're right. Let's move."
Back at the Industrial District
Nareth stood over Shiro and Chiyo, his smirk now replaced by a look of mild disappointment.
Nareth: "I was hoping for a challenge. Is this really the best the Kagemoritai can muster? A pair of untrained children?"
Shiro pushed himself up, his body trembling from exhaustion.
Shiro: "We're not done yet."
Chiyo staggered to his feet, blood dripping from a cut above his eye.
Chiyo: "He's underestimating us. Let's make him regret it."
Drawing on their remaining energy, they launched a desperate attack. Shiro unleashed a combination of shadow strikes and light bursts, while Chiyo's spear moved like lightning, aiming for Nareth's weak points. For a moment, they seemed to gain the upper hand, forcing Nareth to dodge rather than counter.
But the moment was fleeting. With a single, devastating blow, Nareth shattered their offensive, sending them both crashing to the ground. He loomed over them, his aura crackling with power.
Nareth: "This is the end."
Just as he raised his hand for the final strike, a surge of energy tore through the air, forcing him to leap back. Kenzo and Akira landed between Nareth and the boys, their combined presence radiating authority and power.
Kenzo: "Sorry we're late. Hope we didn't miss the party."
Nareth's smirk returned as he straightened, his eyes narrowing.
Nareth: "Well, well. The infamous Akira and his loyal lapdog. This just got interesting."
Kenzo cracked his knuckles, his usual smirk tinged with anger.
Kenzo: "Keep talking, Nareth. Let's see how long you'll be smiling."
Akira's gaze flicked to Shiro and Chiyo, who were struggling to stay conscious, but what really troubled him was that the rogue they were fighting was really a familiar face.
Akira: "You've done enough. Rest now. We'll handle this."
As Shiro's vision blurred, he caught a glimpse of Nareth's unsettling smile.
Nareth: "You're too late. The stage is already set."
Darkness claimed Shiro as Akira and Kenzo prepared to face the rogue general, the weight of their battle about to decide the future of all they'd fought to protect.