Kenta and Kaguya faced each other on the bridge, their tension palpable as they prepared for their inevitable clash. Despite the beautiful surroundings of the mountain lake, their focus was solely on each other. Kenta held his sword, firmly grasping the light blade style, using Hikari No Ha (Light Blade) while Kaguya remained unmoved, not utilizing the dark blade Yami to Hikari.
Kaguya, her eyes fixed on Kenta, finally broke the silence. Her voice carried a hint of irritation as she spoke, "So, you continue to use the Light Blade style. Are you afraid of embracing the darkness?"
She took a step towards Kenta, her movements fluid and swift. "You have access to the power of Yami to Hikari, yet you cling to the light. Is it fear that holds you back, or are you simply too stubborn to embrace your full potential?"
Kenta firmly held his ground, his grip tightening on the light blade. "I have my reasons for choosing the path of the light," he replied, his voice steady. "I refuse to let the darkness consume me, even if it means rejecting the power of Yami to Hikari."
Kaguya smirked at Kenta's reply, her attitude still nonchalant. "Oh, you think you're being noble by rejecting the power of your bloodline?" she said, her voice laced with a hint of mockery. "Let me tell you something, even Yami herself, the owner and predecessor, did not reject the power. So why do you cling to the light like a coward?"
Kaguya's words hit a sore spot for Kenta, reminding him of the burden he carried as the descendant of the legendary swordsman. "It's not cowardice!" he retorted, his voice filled with a mix of anger and determination. "I have my own reasons for rejecting the power of the dark blade."
Kaguya, with a sly and evil smile, decided to test Kenta further by using the power of her illusion red eye to create a fake, horrifying vision. She conjured up an image of Sarah's lifeless body, holding it as if it were real.
Kaguya, her voice cold and sinister, spoke to Kenta as she held the horrifying image of Sarah's body. "If you refuse to embrace the power of the dark blade, I will not hesitate to kill her soul as well," she threatened, her grip on the illusion tightening.
Kenta's eyes widened in shock and disbelief at the sight of Sarah's lifeless body in Kaguya's hand. The weight of her words hit him hard, and he felt torn between his beliefs and his love for Sarah.
Sarah, watching the scene unfold between Kaguya and Kenta from behind the rock, couldn't contain her anger and frustration. She turned to Jokedone, her voice filled with disbelief and anger as she yelled at him. "How can you call that evil woman your companion?" she demanded, her eyes filled with a mix of confusion and disgust. "She's manipulating and toying with Kenta, playing with his emotions like it's a game!"
Jokedone, unperturbed by Sarah's outburst, calmly replied, "Kaguya may come off as evil, but there are layers to her personality that you don't understand. She has her own complex motivations and reasons for the things she does."
As Kenta witnessed the horrifying illusion of Sarah's body in Kaguya's hand, his expression contorted with anger. The veins in his forehead bulged as a pale rage coursed through him, fueling his determination to take action.
Kenta, his anger reaching its boiling point, pulled back his light blade and unsheathed the dark blade, Yami No Hikari. The once pale anger in his eyes now blazed with the intensity of the darkness that now coursed through him.
Kenta, now fully embracing the power of the dark blade, felt a transformation overtake him. The headband in his hair broke down, and a dark aura surrounded his body. His eyes glowed a deep, crimson red, and a wicked smirk appeared on his face as he stared at Kaguya with unwavering killing intent.
Kaguya's expression shifted slightly, a hint of surprise replacing her usual nonchalance. She had anticipated a reaction, but the transformation Kenta had undergone truly caught her off guard.
Kaguya and Kenta, both imbued with their respective powers, clashed in a fierce duel. The air around them crackled with tension as their skills and powers collided, creating a chaotic and intense battle.
Kaguya, as she engaged in the duel with Kenta, who had undergone a sudden power boost, noticed the change in his level. The dark aura surrounding him and the red glow in his eyes were clear indicators that he had tapped into a new, previously untapped reservoir of power.
Kaguya, observant as ever, keenly noticed the shift in Kenta's eye movements. They were sharper, more focused, as if he could now anticipate her movements. His enhanced perception gave him an edge, making it harder for her to catch him off guard or surprise him.
She inwardly cursed at the change, realizing that he had become more formidable and dangerous, but she remained composed on the outside, masking her surprise and adjusting her own strategy accordingly.
Jokedone, turning to Sarah, spoke up, his voice steady and calm as he watched the intense duel between Kaguya and Kenta. "Have you ever witnessed a transformation like this before?" he asked, referring to Kenta's change after unleashing the power of the dark blade.
Sarah, her eyes never leaving the ongoing battle, shook her head slowly. "No, never," she replied, her voice a mix of awe and worry. "I've seen him use the light blade, but this... this is something else. It's like he's become a completely different person."
Jokedone nodded, his gaze still fixed on the intense duel. "Yes, when someone taps into the power of the dark blade, they undergo a transformation that changes their personality, mentality, and even their goals and desires," he explained. "Kenta is no longer the same person he was when he wielded the light blade. He has been consumed by the power of the dark blade."
Jokedone continued to explain, his eyes fixated on the ongoing battle. "The dark blade, Yami No Hikari, has a unique property. The more it is used in battle, the stronger it becomes, and thus its user grows in strength as well. The previous owner of the blade experienced this phenomenon as he wielded it in numerous battles, growing increasingly powerful with each clash."
Jokedone added, "Yes, the connection between the blade and its owner is profound. As the wielder grows in power, their personality also becomes torn in half. The power of the dark blade often triggers internal conflicts, a struggle between the user's true self and the malevolent essence of the blade. This conflict can lead to a split personality or unpredictable behavior, as the wielder grapples with the dark powers they possess."
As the battle between Kenta and Kaguya intensified, Kaguya unleashed the "One eye of Buddha techniques." This powerful technique showcased her unique eye ability, granting her heightened senses and perception, further enhancing her combat prowess.
Despite Kaguya's use of "One eye of Buddha techniques," Kenta managed to keep up, showcasing his own remarkable abilities. He countered her movements, displaying a level of skill and agility that was nearly equal to hers.
Jokedone, watching the intense battle, realized that an opportunity had arisen to intervene. He spoke loudly, intending to break Kenta's focus and get him to drop his guard. "Hey, Kenta!" he yelled.
In a swift and precise attack, Kaguya exploited Kenta's momentary distraction and struck his neck with her hand. Kenta, caught off guard, felt the impact and began to lose consciousness, his body succumbing to the power of her attack.
As Kenta lost consciousness, the dark aura surrounding him faded away, returning him to his original form. The power of the dark blade was no longer coursing through him, leaving him vulnerable and unconscious on the ground.
Sarah, her concern growing, ran over to Kenta, who was lying unconscious on the ground. Her eyes were filled with worry as she knelt down beside him, trying to wake him up.
Jokedone, meanwhile, approached Kaguya, who was recovering from their intense battle. He spoke to her in a steady tone, his composure calm.
"Are you alright, Kaguya?" Jokedone asked, his voice devoid of any urgency or worry. He looked at her with a calm and assessing gaze, unruffled by the intense battle that had just taken place.
Kaguya, despite the fierce battle that had just taken place, was relatively unscathed. She let out a mocking chuckle as Jokedone asked if she was alright, teasing him for his unnecessary concern.
"Worried about me, huh? That's cute," she replied, an amused smirk on her face.
~Next chapter "Yami and Hikari Predecessor's"