Chapter 28 - The Tatse of 'Death'

The dark space rift slowly closed, restoring the scene to its original state. I stood at the front, resolute in not letting anyone escape from the rift.

"Maybe it's time for me to bring an end to this battle, don't you think?" I chuckled softly, my eyes gleaming with cold determination.

"What are you planning, Watano?" Shido asked, his face etched with worry. The sword gradually dissipated.

"I'll show you my true power," I responded, raising my hand high. "Let's see how you handle this 'special' attack of mine!"

"BEELZEBUB!" I summoned the Demon King , and instantly, it radiated a brilliant light, engulfing the entire space around us, leaving me standing at its center.

"What!?" Shido exclaimed in horror.

"Shido, be careful!" Tohka shouted, on high alert.

But then, nothing happened. Everything remained shrouded in silence.

"Huh… Nothing?" Shido looked around, puzzled by what had just transpired.

"What exactly is going on, Watano?" Tohka asked, her eyes filled with suspicion.

"You'll find out soon," I replied, a mysterious smile creeping across my lips. The light from continued to spread, as if preparing for something terrible to come.

"Ahhhhhh!!!" Kaguya's scream of agony echoed, followed by Yuzuru, Miku, Natsumi, Yoshino, and finally Tohka, all shrieking in panic.

"P-Please… No..." Kaguya trembled, her voice filled with fear.

"My storm... did it drown them all...?! N-No... NO!!!!" Yuzuru screamed in terror, her face mirroring Kaguya's horror.

"Why… Why is the TV show director here…?!" Miku cried out, her face full of disbelief at what she was seeing.

"No... Mom... No… DON'T MAKE ME DO THIS!!!!" Natsumi screamed, clutching her head, torn apart by a devastating psychological nightmare.

"D-Did I… kill those people?! Aaahhhhh!!" Yoshino cried out, desperately holding her head as if trying to escape the haunting images.

Shido stared in shock at the scene unfolding before him, struggling to comprehend what was happening.

"What's going on with everyone? Tohka, Yoshino?!" He shouted, his eyes shifting from one person to the next, filled with worry.

"Miku, Kaguya, Yuzuru, Natsumi... What's happening to you all?" Shido asked, his voice growing increasingly uneasy, but they all seemed trapped in invisible nightmares.

"T-This isn't good… Everyone is about to... invert!" he exclaimed, realizing the imminent danger.

"Hahahahahahahaha!!!!!!" I burst into laughter, the chilling sound echoing around us.

"Watano, what did you do to them?" Shido gritted his teeth, his eyes burning with determination. "Answer me now!"

"Do?" I sneered. "I just gave them a one-way ticket back to their darkest memories."

"So that light earlier…"

"Exactly, that was it... Quite 'special,' isn't it, Shido?" I said, my eyes flashing with cruelty.

"But why am I unaffected?" Shido asked, suspicion evident in his voice.

"I'm not surprised at all. You're too strong, Shido! Their spirit powers have all been sealed and absorbed by you. How could a little trick like this affect you?"

"Come on, Shido, if you want to save them quickly, then come at me!" I snarled, my eyes challenging him.

Without hesitation, Shido tightened his grip on his sword. "If that's the case, then… !" He summoned the angelic sword, its blade glowing like the sun.

I smiled coldly, my eyes glinting with cunning. "That's more like it... !" I called out, summoning the power of the Demon King , as thick darkness engulfed the space around us.

Shido looked at me, his voice calm but resolute. "I will save everyone, and then it's your turn, Watano."

I scoffed, my eyes becoming more dangerous. "Is that so? Then to make it fair..." I said, raising high.

"Huh?!" Shido was taken aback as vibrant streams of spirit power burst from , wrapping around my body. They sparkled like multicolored flames, swirling around me in a wild dance.

"That's…" Shido gasped, his eyes widening as he realized what was happening.

"Yes," I said smugly. "It's the spirit power you all used to attack those clones. It's all been absorbed by . Quite magnificent, isn't it?"

The radiant light from the gathered spirit powers grew stronger, enveloping my entire body, and I could feel my strength surging.

"Now then," I smirked, my voice dripping with arrogance, "Let's start a fight just between the two of us."

The battle between Shido and me began the moment my words left my lips. The brilliant light of Shido's clashed with the deep darkness of in my hands, the two opposing energies colliding fiercely, creating a swirling storm of violent spirit power around us.

"What's wrong, Shido? Where's your usual dominance?" I taunted, while 's power continuously pushed him back.

We struggled against each other, but the tide of the battle was slowly turning in my favor. The blade of was being forced back inch by inch, nearly touching Shido. Just as I was about to land the finishing blow, he swiftly countered.

", "Kadour"!" Shido shouted, and several beams of light shot from , blasting the ground beneath his feet. The force propelled him upward, forcing me to step back to avoid the attack.

"Not only your strength, but your combat instincts have improved too." I smirked, acknowledging his progress.

"I don't need your compliments," Shido coldly replied. "!" Instantly, massive ice pillars shot up from the ground, encircling me in a tight, impenetrable ring.

"But that's still not enough!" I sneered, swinging with force. The dark blade sliced through the ice wall effortlessly, creating an escape route. However, as soon as I emerged, I realized I had fallen into Shido's trap.

"〖, "Shemesh"〗!" The feathered guns orbiting Shido unleashed a barrage of light bullets, converging into powerful beams aimed directly at me.

"What—?!" I gasped, caught off guard by the relentless attack. The intense rain of energy beams fell in thick waves, covering the entire area, dragging me into the onslaught. The sheer surprise and speed of the strike left no room for evasion.

Explosions echoed across the battlefield as smoke and dust engulfed the surroundings, obscuring everything.

"Stop hiding, Watano! I know that wasn't enough to take you down," Shido shouted, his voice firm.

"Not bad... You've gotten clever!" I responded sarcastically.

Tohka's purple spirit energy surrounded me, shielding me from the attack. Brushing off some dust clinging to my spirit armor, I stepped out of the smoke, completely unfazed.

"Fighting like that won't save them, Shido. Look at them—they're on the verge of inversion." I gestured toward the other spirits, where dark spirit energy was slowly seeping out of their bodies, signaling their impending inversion.

Shido's eyes flickered with concern as he glanced at them, but that momentary distraction was all I needed. In a split second, I teleported beside him, delivering a powerful kick to his side.

"Ah!" Shido groaned in pain but managed to stay on his feet.

"Watano, you—" Shido panted, but before he could continue, I cut him off.

"Don't lose focus. This isn't a game. It's a battle for survival." My voice was cold, my gaze chilling.

's flames flared from his wound, yet Shido stood firm, his eyes filled with determination. That look in his eyes ignited my fury.

"DON'T LOOK AT ME WITH THOSE EYES!" I screamed, my anger surging. I lunged at him with insane speed, swinging with all my might. Each slash was fierce, forcing Shido to barely defend himself.

Despite taking several hits, Shido remained standing, his resilience burning like an unquenchable flame. Yet, even so, it wasn't enough to bring him down completely.

"Tch, damn angel !" I gritted my teeth in frustration.

"I wonder... Where are Origami and Kotori? Are you so confident that you didn't even bother to bring them—"

"If you're asking that, Watano," Kotori's voice echoed from the sky, though her figure was nowhere to be seen.

"Wait, don't tell me…" I muttered, a sudden sense of unease creeping in.

" to assess the situation, but it was too late.

"You're too slow…"

At that moment, three devastating attacks converged on me, each carrying its own destructive power.

", "Megiddo"!" 

From above, Kotori's red fire ring exploded, a fiery tower descending like a pillar of flames, incinerating everything in its path, aiming to turn me to ash.

", "Artelif"!" 

Origami unleashed her move, a barrage of feathered guns emitting blinding light from every direction, engulfing me in a storm of energy beams.

"SPIRIT CANNON !" 

The devastating blow from the Fraxinus ship rained down, a torrent of spirit energy pouring in, leaving no escape.

The three attacks crashed down simultaneously, their combined force creating a colossal explosion that shook the battlefield. In that brief moment, I realized I had been pushed into a dire situation.

"Damn it… No—" My scream echoed as I was hit by the full brunt of the brutal attacks.

The dark space of began to dissipate, and the spirits slowly returned to normal, free from the chaos.

"Is everyone okay?" Shido asked anxiously.

"I'm alright…" Tohka replied, still breathing heavily.

"E-Everything's fine," Yoshino nodded gently.

"What just happened…" Kaguya muttered, her eyes still filled with fear.

"Questioning. What was that awful feeling?" Yuzuru furrowed her brows, still bewildered.

"Darling… I feel like I just had a nightmare," Miku whispered, her eyes showing worry.

Kotori and Origami descended from the Fraxinus ship, quickly approaching the group.

"Kotori, Watano… is he…" Shido hesitated.

"I'm not sure… but he's still lying over there—" Kotori said, her gaze directed toward my unmoving body on the ground.

"I-It's not… over yet…" I slowly stood up, trembling, using as support.

My once sturdy spirit armor was now nearly completely burned away, and the mask that covered my face began to crack, revealing my left eye hidden behind an eyepatch. My left mechanical arm had melted and been destroyed by the recent attack.

"Watano, please stop… this has gone far enough—" Shido pleaded.

"I TOLD YOU IT'S NOT OVER YET!!!" I roared, my rage exploding as I summoned with the last of my strength. The gem on the demon king began to glow bright red, signaling an impending catastrophe.

"Shido, be careful," Kotori warned.

"Yeah," Shido responded, focusing on the intense situation.

"No matter what… I WILL DEFEAT YOU ALL!" I screamed, desperation and determination etched on my face.

The gem on started to glow. "Shido, look!" Kotori pointed forward.

"WHAT?!" Shido gasped as he saw the soldiers who once fought by my side being forcibly resurrected. They floated in mid-air, controlled by 's power.

"T-They're flying?" Origami stared in shock.

"P-Please, help me…" One of them whimpered weakly, their voice trembling with fear.

"What's happening to me?" Another cried out, helpless before the unfolding terror.

"Please… don't kill me…" A desperate whisper echoed in the tense air.

"What are you trying to do, Watano? Let those people down!" Shido shouted, his voice filled with panic and fear.

"Fine!" I curled my lips into a cold, emotionless smile. The gem on flared even brighter, crimson light spreading across the space like a storm of blood.

In that moment, all the millions of soldiers hovering in the sky—those who had once fought alongside me—began to convulse violently. The red light blazed even more fiercely, revealing the nightmare that had sown. Terrified screams echoed, but then, one by one, their bodies were ripped apart from within. Blood sprayed through the air, and their shattered remains were obliterated in an instant.

The entire sky seemed drenched in deep crimson. Millions of droplets of blood floated, suspended in the air, like an endless rain of death. No fragments, no remains were left behind—only the glittering blood under the sunlight, a brutal testament to absolute destruction.

"NOOO!!!"

"THIS IS MADNESS, WATANO!!!" Shido screamed, his voice cracking, unable to believe what was unfolding before him.

"H-He really… did that…" Kotori murmured in shock.

I turned around, my eyes blazing with mania. "Like I said, Shido… I WILL WIN AT ANY COST!!!"

The gem on blazed fiercely, and the millions of suspended blood droplets abruptly converged into one mass, swirling into a gigantic spear. Its crimson glow radiated like a bolt of destructive lightning, more powerful than anything I had ever created before.

""GREAT APOCALYPTIC SPEAR"!!!" I shouted, the colossal spear trembling, ready to be launched.

"Remember this move, Shido?"

"The one at D.E.M…" Shido muttered, his eyes glued to the spear.

"That's right," I nodded, my voice cold and even. "But this time, with the blood of those traitors, its power has been taken to a whole new level."

Shido stared at me, his eyes filled with resistance and pain. "Watano, you said you'd save everyone… But why did you kill those innocent people—?"

"I already told you…" I gritted my teeth, my eyes blazing with uncontrollable fury. "I don't care about saving this world anymore…"

"Even if I wanted to save it, I would still—"

Shido was still confused. "W-Why?"

"I WOULD RATHER SACRIFICE MILLIONS TO SAVE BILLIONS!!!" I roared, the spear quivering, ready to strike. 

"TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU!!!" I hurled the spear with all my might, unleashing destruction towards Shido and the others. 

"This is bad, Shido. We need to get to Fraxinus immediately—" Kotori said, her voice filled with worry. 

"No, Kotori. Leave this to me," Shido responded, his eyes resolute. 

"What are you talking about, Shido?" Kotori couldn't believe her ears. 

"If I run, what will happen to Tenguu City?" 

"But everyone is exhausted, how can we—" 

"I already said. Leave the rest to me." Shido cut her off, stepping forward, facing the descending spear.

Despite the terrifying power of Watano's attack, Shido didn't flinch. He stood tall, his eyes filled with unshakable determination. 

"Watano… I'll show you… that you're wrong," Shido said firmly. 

"What?" I scowled, not believing what I had just heard. 

"I'll show you… The power of everyone… will defeat you!" Shido calmly replied, his entire body glowing.

"SAY THAT AGAIN! IF YOU CAN, THEN STOP THIS ATTACK!" I screamed, driving the spear down towards Shido. 

"AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!" Shido gathered power, the spirit energy of every spirit he had sealed converging around him, forming a radiant multi-colored aura. 

""ROARING FLASH…" Shido clasped his hands together, all the energy pooling between his palms. 

"…BLAST WAVEEEE"!!!" he shouted, thrusting his arms forward, releasing a massive wave of energy that tore through the air, heading straight for the descending spear.

"HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!" 

The two overwhelming forces collided, creating a devastating explosion that shook the entire space. Shockwaves rippled out from the point of impact, sweeping through Tenguu City, pushing everything in their path. The air seemed to tear apart, and the explosion's blinding light set off a storm of uncontrollable energy across the sky.

"!" 

"!" 

"!" 

"!" 

All the spirits struggled to summon their angels, using the last of their strength to hold back the chaos from the catastrophic clash. Everyone could feel the crushing weight of the pressure, no one could stand firm.

"S-Such terrifying power…" 

"I have to admit…" 

"W-We won't be able to hold on…"

I froze, my eyes widening in shock as I realized that 's colossal spear was being crushed. Its fragments dissolved into the fierce current of power Shido had unleashed. A wave of helplessness surged within me as I watched my spear disintegrate into nothingness. 

"No way… how is he—!?"

Shido remained standing, unwavering, his eyes resolute. He clenched his teeth, drawing on the full power of the spirits he had sealed. Spirit energy erupted around Shido, glowing ever brighter, sweeping away every obstacle in its path. 

"Watano! You need to understand this…" Shido shouted, his voice echoing through the space. "True power isn't for destruction, but to protect those we care about!" 

"HAAAAAHHH!!!" Shido focused all his spirit energy, pushing forward, the wave of power obliterating my spear and continuing to surge, consuming everything in its path.

In that moment, all I could do was stand helplessly. My spear vanished into thin air, and the storm of energy swallowed me whole, without mercy. 

"N-Not again… N-NOOOOO!!!" I screamed in despair, my voice full of panic. 

"It's over, Watano. You have nothing left to beat me," Shido said, his voice calm but firm, glowing brightly in his hand as he approached me, now kneeling, unable to believe what had just happened.

"I-IT'S NOT O-OVER—!" I struggled to rise, desperately trying to summon once more. 

"Stop resisting… Please," Shido pleaded, his eyes filled with compassion. 

"Fine then…

"AHHHHHHHHHHH!!" I screamed in agony as my remaining arm, the one attempting to summon , was severed by Shido in an instant. 

"You forced my hand, Watano… I didn't want it to come to this," Shido said, his voice heavy with regret. 

"Y-You've got guts now… Striking me down…" 

"Kotori, get him to Fraxinus' medical bay before he loses too much blood—"

I gritted my teeth, exploiting Shido's momentary distraction, leaping back and sprinting away. My entire body ached with unbearable pain, but I kept running, heading straight for Raizen High School. 

"I have to be faster… Even if I die, I'll drag them down with me…" I muttered, my eyes burning with resolve and overwhelming hatred. 

"He's running!" Kotori shouted urgently. "We need to chase him, now!"

Even though both of my arms had been severed, rendering me unable to use either the demon lord or , with the remaining magic power I quickly created a Territory surrounding my body. Not only did it temporarily stop the bleeding, but it also boosted my speed to its maximum, allowing me to run even faster than usual.

"I have to go this way... turn here... right at this corner... Almost there..." I continuously calculated my path in my head, adjusting my movement, taking advantage of every familiar nook and cranny of the school to find a way out. Ignoring the pain from my wounds and my weakening body, each step quickened, not stopping for even a second.

"There he is... Stop, Watano!" Kotori shouted, fiercely pursuing me, trying to close the distance.

"How is he still so agile despite being so gravely injured?" Kaguya exclaimed, unable to hide her astonishment.

"This isn't the time for admiration!" Kotori growled, relentlessly chasing after me.

I dashed straight to the school rooftop without looking back. The Territory around my body gradually faded, making the pain and the blood loss even more severe. Even so, my will remained unshaken. The footsteps behind me were getting closer—they had caught up and surrounded me.

"Watano, this is the end of the road. There's no escape left for you," Shido's voice rang out, serious and somber. "Stop now, give up that power, and accept the consequences for what you've done."

"Consequences, huh..." I scoffed, glancing down at my bleeding wounds. The pain now was but a small part compared to the emptiness that ruled over me. It was too late to turn back.

"I've gone too far to turn back..." I muttered, my voice cold and despairing. "If I have to pay the price, THEN YOU ALL WILL PAY WITH ME!"

I stepped back, slowly opening my mouth. A small control device with a single button emerged from my throat and fell to the ground at my feet. The shocked and terrified gazes of those across from me fixated on it.

"Darling, what is that?" Miku asked, her face pale.

"What are you planning, Watano?" Kotori's voice was sharp, her eyes filled with worry.

"Watano, don't do this..." Shido said, trying to keep his voice steady. "We can still save you, there's still a chance to make things right."

"Make things right? Save me?" I laughed loudly, my voice tearing through the air. "Do you really think you can save me, Shido? Even after I've killed millions? Even after I used Beelzebub to destroy everything?!"

I stared straight at Shido, an evil smile forming on my lips. "You're too kind, Shido. But kindness won't save anyone!"

My eyes glinted with madness as I prepared to stomp on the device beneath me. "I've planted tens of thousands of fully charged magic cores throughout Tenguu City."

"W-What?" Kotori gasped, her voice trembling.

Shido quickly turned to Kotori. "Kotori, what is he talking about?"

Kotori bit her lip, struggling to maintain composure. "Those magic cores... they're incredibly powerful. If they explode... just one could level everything within a 500-meter radius."

"N-No way..." His voice faltered, overwhelmed by fear and helplessness.

Watching their reactions, a twisted satisfaction flickered in my eyes. "Now do you understand? There's no way to save me. There's no escape for any of us, HAHAHAHAHAHA."

Shido clenched his fists, his eyes filled with determination, but a hint of hesitation was clear. "Watano, no matter how bad things have gotten, there's still hope. You're not a monster. You just need to stop—trust us."

"TRUST?" I roared, my voice echoing across the rooftop. "You think after everything I've done, I could trust someone? The whole world has deceived me, turned me into something… I don't even recognize anymore."

Kotori took a step forward, her voice filled with concern. "Watano, don't do this. You can stop now, and we'll help you. No one wants to see you destroy yourself like this."

I laughed, silently but darkly. "Destroy? This isn't destruction. This is freedom. If you're all gone from this world, if there are no more Sephira crystals left..."

My voice lowered, filled with hatred: "The spacequakes will disappear. It's too bad I can't destroy that damn origin spirit and D.E.M as well..."

I took a deep breath, as if to end it all: "GOODBYE, EVERYONE!"

I stomped my foot down, aiming directly for the control device on the ground. Everyone's eyes seemed to freeze, bracing for the worst.

"WATANO!" Shido screamed, dashing toward me at an incredible speed. But it was too late.

Suddenly, a familiar voice rang out in the darkness: ", "Zayin"!"

A black bullet sliced through the air, striking me just as my foot was about to hit the control. Kurumi's bullet froze time around me.

"Huh?" I was shocked to realize that my movements had been completely halted.

Kurumi slowly emerged from the shadows, her crimson eyes gleaming with smug satisfaction. "Good thing I made it in time, Shido-san."

"K-Kurumi?" Shido exclaimed in disbelief, still processing what had just happened.

"She... she stopped Watano!" Kotori sighed in relief, her eyes filled with gratefulness.

I glared at Kurumi, fury surging through me. "You... what the hell did you do?!"

Kurumi shrugged nonchalantly, her smile mischievous yet full of arrogance. "Obviously, I'm here to stop your insane plan, Watano-san. Unfortunately, I can't let you go through with it."

"Take that device away, quickly," Kotori said urgently, her eyes fixated on the control at my feet.

"Uh, right..." Shido hesitated for a moment, his gaze flickering.

Kotori frowned. "But Kurumi, how did you know about Watano's plan?"

Kurumi smiled cryptically. "A clone of mine from the future used the "Vav" bullet to come back to today and tell me everything."

"You bitch... You dared..." I growled through gritted teeth, feeling betrayed.

Kurumi chuckled lightly, unbothered. "Shido-san, what are you waiting for? Seal Watano-san's spirit powers now."

"But how?" Shido asked, confused and flustered. "Do I have to k—"

"Not that!" Kurumi cut him off, her face scrunching in disgust. "You're making me sick, Shido-san. Use the angel to seal his power."

"Oh, right, from ..." Shido nodded, then hesitated again. "But I haven't sealed Mukuro yet... how can I have now?"

"You can use my angel to copy ," Natsumi explained calmly.

"Oh, that's right, why didn't I think of that?" Shido sighed with relief. "Thanks, Natsumi."

Natsumi nodded lightly. "You're welcome."

", "Kaleidoscope"!" Shido summoned the angel , which appeared in the form of a broomstick, but it quickly transformed into the angel , taking the shape of a powerful key.

Shido slowly approached me with in hand, its light illuminating the space around us, each step feeling like it was crushing all my remaining hope.

As I saw , a terrifying fear surged within me. Not because death was approaching, but because something far worse than death awaited me.

"N-No, Shido... Please..." My voice cracked, trembling. "You can kill me... But don't use that on me... Please... KILL ME... PLEASE!"

"I'm not going to kill you, Watano. Even after all the terrible things you've done to me and to everyone else... And now, let me help you break free from that curse."

"NOOOOOOO!!!!"

The key pierced straight into my chest, but strangely, there was no pain. Shido gently turned it, and everything in my mind slowly faded, consumed by an endless white void. My eyes gradually closed...