Koji jumped from the building with two dark spheres floating under his feet, propelling him toward the Gyaku, which was shaking its head wildly.
Six other spheres advanced to strike the monster, but something surprising happened. Suddenly, a strange bird with long wings and yellow eyes, resembling a giant butterfly, appeared. It emerged in front of the lizard and, before Koji could react, swallowed the dark spheres.
The bird opened its mouth and absorbed the spheres, swallowing them completely. Still flying, Koji couldn't believe it.
"Another one appeared? How is that possible?" he questioned in shock at what he had just witnessed.
But a familiar voice caught his attention.
"Someone is summoning these creatures in the city, and they can't be far from here," said Spherea's voice in Koji's head.
Meanwhile, seven people managed to distance themselves from the creatures, fleeing toward the military bases in the south, but another twelve ended up dead. With this scene of despair before his eyes, Koji muttered to himself.
"This went horribly wrong."
Spherea, always in good humor, responded.
"No crocodile tears, there's already a lizard here. But seriously, it's not all lost, Koji. Just do the math."
Koji realized one civilian was missing, someone who hadn't managed to escape and wasn't among the dead. However, he couldn't afford to be distracted.
Suddenly, the strange bird spat an acidic liquid at Koji; he barely dodged it, feeling the heat of the acid grazing his legs.
The respite seemed over. Next, Koji was hit by a tail strike from the giant lizard, launching him into a small house. Amid the debris, Koji got up and noticed the six spheres swallowed by the bizarre butterfly had been completely absorbed.
Truly absorbed.
"Spherea, tell me I'm wrong for thinking this, please," said Koji, confused and worried, with blood trickling from his forehead into his left eye.
"Of course, you're wrong, you're always wrong. The dark spheres are made of void energy, impossible to absorb," Spherea replied with conviction.
Koji let out a sigh of relief and, with the sunlight on his face, said, "I'm waiting. Reappear."
The dark spheres emerged from the Gyaku's stomach, tearing the monster from inside out in a bloody explosion of destruction. With a more excited expression, Koji said just one thing.
"Spherea."
"I know, it's always good to see them act for you," Spherea replied calmly, without a hint of dubious humor.
As soon as they emerged from the monster, the spheres attacked the lizard without hesitation. The Gyaku tried to dodge, moving with surprising speed for a creature of its size, heading straight for Koji.
The lizard attacked desperately, writhing in a frenzy of rage. Koji was struck hard, the blow sending him flying into a small liquor store.
He landed violently, getting stuck in the wreckage of metal and broken bottles. Blood dripped from cuts on his forehead and arms, and he grumbled with frustration and indignation.
"This must be a joke. Two Gyakus for me, is this some kind of test?" his voice laden with fury.
"That lizard wants you to know every place on the avenue. Hahaha," Spherea commented, mocking Koji.
Impatiently, Koji pushed bottles and pieces of metal aside, trying to free himself from the debris. When he looked to the corner of the store, he saw a pregnant woman, the same religious woman from his group of civilians, hiding behind a large refrigerator. She was the same woman who had asked if they were close to the military bases.
"Stay quiet. I'll take you to the south of the city," Koji said, his mouth smeared with blood, but nothing stopped him from helping.
The trembling ground indicated the lizard's approach. Koji knew the chances of survival were slim. He looked at the writing on his right forearm and said, in a tone of despair, "Can you do something for me, Spherea?"
"I believe you're not that screwed yet to need me," Spherea seemed too calm, even with Koji facing significant death risks.
The lizard was getting closer, and the bird lay on the avenue with its stomach open.
"Koji, the more dangerous the situation, the more the spheres will perfect themselves."
What appeared behind the lizard was an impressive formation, reminding Koji of his father.
Norman Fuller: "Son, what I sought most in life was a positive feeling incapable of being understood."
A perfect alignment of hundreds of dark spheres formed an imposing ten-meter-tall wall.
Norman Fuller: "I never felt it, but I swear, son, one day you will. Maybe you won't understand what it is and possibly interpret it as fascination. Generally, what gives you meaning and protection becomes something fascinating."
Koji looked at it with immense fascination, for it was truly dazzling, and his eyes mirrored what he saw. It was a barrier, a wall of spheres united with unbelievable precision.
"Dad… this is fascinating."
Sensing something strange, the Gyaku turned to see what was happening. But it was too late. The wall of spheres advanced with relentless force, repeatedly piercing the giant lizard's body.
With each penetration, the Gyaku writhed in pain, emitting disturbing roars that echoed down the avenue.
Seizing the moment, Koji ran, ignoring the dangers around him. His focus now was on the strange bird, which was visibly injured. He approached quickly, but suddenly, the bird simply incinerated, turning to ashes instantly, without even catching fire.
Koji was momentarily stunned, but the crash of the Gyaku's fall dominated the scene. The giant lizard, finally defeated by the relentless attacks of the dark spheres, collapsed dead on the ground, raising a cloud of dust.
The woman, nervous and frightened, emerged from the store and approached Koji.
"You're one of those…"
"A friend of demons? Yes, I am," Koji said in a friendly tone.
"The bases aren't far from here. We'll need to speed up because the others must have already arrived there."
However, since Spherea had mentioned the presence of another carrier nearby who wouldn't be far…
Clap! Clap! Clap!