Masato's ice dragon surges forward, its jaws clamping down on Akuma's neck. The creature howls in pain, thrashing wildly. It grabs the dragon's head, crushing it in its massive claws. Masato staggers back, his body wracked with agony. "Keep going," he whispers to Aiko. "I'll hold it off."
Aiko hesitates, her eyes filled with tears. "Masato..." He turns to her, a weak smile on his lips. "I'm sorry...for everything. Now go. Save the world." With a final burst of speed, Akuma charges towards the sorcerers. But Masato steps in its path once more, his hands glowing with cursed energy.
The ritual continues, with Aiko and the others pouring everything they have into sealing the portal. The glowing rift in the sky begins to shrink, inch by inch. Akuma and Masato clash, their battle shaking the very foundations of the temple. Masato's attacks grow weaker, his movements sluggish.
Akuma grabs him by the throat, lifting him off the ground. "It's over, sorcerer," it rumbles. "Your world ends here." Masato struggles feebly, his vision darkening. "No...," he gasps. "Not...yet."
With a final burst of strength, he summons his ice dragon one last time. The spectral beast slams into Akuma, its jaws clamping down on the creature's arm. Akuma howls in pain, dropping Masato. He hits the ground hard, his body unmoving.
The dragon drags Akuma towards the portal, the creature's claws scrabbling at the earth. It lets out a deafening roar, its glowing eyes fixed on Masato. "This...isn't...over," it growls, as the dragon pulls it through the shrinking rift.
The portal seals with a blinding flash of light, the rift in the sky closing for good. Aiko and the others rush to Masato's side, their faces etched with grief. "We did it," Aiko whispers, tears streaming down her cheeks. "We won."
But Masato doesn't respond, his eyes closed. Aiko bows her head, her shoulders shaking with sobs. The others stand in silence, mourning the loss of their friend and savior.