"Aki... you know I always wanted to fight by your side. If I can no longer do so, then carry on my will. Don't give up on all our dreams. No matter what comes – we never fought to survive. We fought because we lived." - Tatsuo Goda
Tatsuo and Shinigami stood facing each other, their eyes locked in a fierce gaze. With a swift swing, Shinigami attempted to strike the paralyzed Aki, but Tatsuo quickly summoned an earthen wall to block the blow. "This is a duel, Shinigami," the young man said with an angry expression. "This boy means more to me than anything else. He made me who I am today. In these past few months, I've learned what it means to live an honest life as a good person. I won't let him die! I will defend Aki with my life!"
Shinigami glanced at the paralyzed boy. "So, the Fourth is called Aki... Quite similar to Akuma." The Grim Reaper had nothing more to say. Tatsuo stepped resolutely toward Shinigami, his face marked by fury and determination. He raised his hand, and the ground beneath him began to tremble. With a swift motion, he tore chunks of earth from the walls and hurled them directly at Shinigami. But the bloodied demon swung Kurogama with effortless grace, smashing the incoming debris into pieces.
Moonfang Arc
Episode 18 - Echo of Loss (Part 4)
"That's not enough, Tatsuo," Shinigami murmured, skillfully dodging another chunk of earth that barely missed his head. But Tatsuo was undeterred. He stomped the ground with all his might, and massive pillars of earth shot up from the stone floor, aimed directly at Shinigami.
Shinigami parried the first attack and sliced through the second pillar with an elegant swing of his scythe. But Tatsuo didn't relent – with every step he took, the ground reshaped into new weapons. The earthen pillars came at Shinigami from all sides, forcing him to retreat. He spun, leapt over a spear-like spike, and landed with a slight crunch on another pillar, only to push off again immediately.
"You're stronger than I thought," Shinigami called out as he dodged a particularly sharp stone spear. But before he could finish his sentence, another earthen pillar struck him hard in the side. He lost his balance briefly, and Tatsuo seized the opportunity. He stretched out both arms, and the entire room seemed to shift. The walls cracked open, and massive chunks of stone crashed down on Shinigami.
With a mighty blow, Tatsuo managed to bury the bloodied demon under a wall of rock. The ground quaked as the final pillar slammed down on Shinigami with full force. For a moment, everything was silent.
"Did I get him...?" Tatsuo panted, sweat streaming down his forehead. But then he heard it – a faint, guttural laugh. Slowly, the pile of rubble rose, and Shinigami emerged from it, bloodied but grinning.
"You actually cornered me, Tatsuo," he said, wiping a bloody hand across his lips. "But I'm not finished yet." He licked the blood from his fingers, and a sinister glow filled his eyes. Suddenly, energy surged through his body. His muscles tensed, and a dense, red aura enveloped him.
"What is this...?" Tatsuo immediately sensed the change. The air grew heavier, and a menacing presence filled the room.
"This is my final technique," Shinigami whispered. "When I taste my own blood, I amplify my powers many times over. It's an act of self-sacrifice – but I will surpass you with it."
Tatsuo gritted his teeth, but instead of retreating, he lowered his arms to the ground. "You think that will stop me?" he shouted, channeling all his remaining strength. "That was just the beginning!" The ground quaked once more as he caused a massive earthen pillar to erupt directly beneath Shinigami.
But this time, Shinigami didn't dodge. Instead, he swung Kurogama in a swift, merciless arc. The blade shattered the pillar, and the debris scattered in all directions. In an instant, Shinigami was suddenly in front of Tatsuo, striking with a speed that Tatsuo couldn't follow.
Tatsuo was flung back, crashing into the wall and coughing up blood. Yet his eyes still burned with determination. "You might be stronger now," he wheezed, "but I won't give up."
"Then come, Tatsuo," Shinigami grinned, his eyes blood-red and wild. "Show me how much you can really endure."
Tatsuo coughed up blood as he stood back up. A smile crept onto his lips, despite the pain wracking his body. "You know, Shinigami," he said, panting, "I never thought I'd be standing here. Not alone – but with friends I can rely on." His eyes sparkled with determination as he took up his fighting stance once more. "It feels like I'm getting stronger because I don't have to fight alone anymore."
Shinigami clenched his teeth, gripping Kurogama tighter. "You talk way too much. Do you really think friendship will give you an advantage here?"
Tatsuo remained unfazed. "Yes," he replied quietly, "that's exactly what I believe."
The ground shook once more as Tatsuo intensified his control over the earth. The stones beneath his feet began to crackle and break. With a swift motion, he raised his hand, and a wave of earthen spikes shot directly toward Shinigami. The bloodied demon leapt to the side, swinging his scythe and smashing the flying rocks, but the attacks did not cease.
Tatsuo pressed on, shaping the castle walls into gigantic fists that pummeled Shinigami. The demon dodged, his movements quick and precise, yet Tatsuo gave him no respite. He wielded the entire environment as if the castle itself were his weapon. Each attack came harder, faster, more precise. It was clear – Tatsuo had the upper hand.
"I will defeat you!" Tatsuo shouted, charging at Shinigami. He swung his fist, reinforced by a massive spike of earth, straight at Shinigami's chest. The impact sent the demon staggering back, pain etched across his face. Blood dripped from his mouth, yet he grinned.
"You really have... grown stronger," Shinigami wheezed, his eyes glinting coldly. "But do you think I play fair when I'm losing?"
Before Tatsuo could react, Shinigami abruptly turned around. His blood-red eyes locked onto Aki, who lay paralyzed on the ground. A malicious grin spread across his face. "Maybe I should just eliminate your little ace in the hole," Shinigami taunted, dashing towards the helpless Aki.
"No!" Tatsuo cried out in desperation. Without hesitation, he threw himself into the line of attack, his feet moving faster than he had ever thought possible. He knew he had to intercept the blow – he had to protect his best friend at any cost.
Kurogama gleamed menacingly as the blade sliced through the air. At the last moment, Tatsuo positioned himself between Shinigami and Aki, raising his arms in a protective stance. The scythe slashed into his shoulder, a deep cut spraying blood into the air. A scream of pain escaped his lips, but he held firm.
"Tatsuo!" Aki called out, his eyes wide with fear, unable to move.
Tatsuo smiled through the pain, locking eyes with Shinigami in defiance. "Not today, Shinigami… I won't let you hurt my friend."
Tatsuo felt the icy pain as Kurogama pierced his abdomen. The scythe had sunk deep, and blood flowed out immediately, accompanied by the ominous mist of the bleeding technique. He gasped, his breath shallow, but he made no sound of anguish. Instead, he lifted his gaze, determined to meet Shinigami's eyes. The demon smirked mockingly.
"Bleed out," Shinigami whispered, and the mist from the wound seemed to thicken, as though it were drawing the life out of Tatsuo.
But Tatsuo did not give in. With a powerful shove, he pushed Shinigami away, stumbling briefly before standing upright again. "You will not win," he forced out, his voice weak but clear. "I will not fall… not as long as I can protect Aki."
He attacked again. The pain burned through him like fire, his legs trembling, yet he drove his fists forward, striking at Shinigami. Every blow was accompanied by a spray of blood from his wounds, but Tatsuo ignored it. He couldn't afford to give up now. His thoughts drifted back to his friends.
He saw Maki's teasing grin. He remembered Ryoko, who always encouraged him to keep going. Shiroi, with his calm, supportive nature, who constantly lifted him up. And Aki… Aki, who had always been there for him, no matter how tough things got. He couldn't let them down.
Shinigami laughed quietly as he swung again, the scythe slicing through Tatsuo's thigh. "How much longer can you hold out?" he asked scornfully. "Your body is giving in, your blood flows like a waterfall. You're just a mortal – what do you hope to achieve here?"
Tatsuo fell to one knee, his hands shaking, but he looked up again. "I expect nothing," he whispered, his voice barely audible. "I only know that I will fight… until my last breath."
He attacked once more, his strikes powerful and precise, as if the pain had become a part of him that he had accepted. Shinigami dodged most of the blows, yet even he seemed surprised by Tatsuo's relentlessness. "Why don't you give up?" he asked, swinging another strike that caught Tatsuo on the shoulder. Blood splattered again, but Tatsuo only smiled weakly.
"Because that's what a Sentinel does," Tatsuo said quietly. "We stand up for each other… until the end."
With one last, desperate attack, Tatsuo lunged at Shinigami, his eyes blazing with determination. Even though he knew he had lost in that moment, he would fight until his body could no longer move. Because for him, that was the only true victory – to protect his friends, no matter the cost.
Tatsuo stood upright with the last of his strength, his body soaked in blood, the once-bright white uniform of the Sentinels now stained deep red. Shinigami approached slowly, his scythe glinting menacingly in his hand. "You're remarkably tough," he said, a mocking grin on his face. "But how long can you keep this up?"
With a lightning-fast motion, Shinigami swung Kurogama at Tatsuo. The blade cut through the air and struck Tatsuo directly on the shoulder, slicing deep enough to sever muscles and tendons. A cry of pain escaped his lips, but he remained standing, staggering back but refusing to fall.
"Not yet…" Tatsuo gasped, his eyes burning with resolve.
Another strike – the scythe slashed at his thigh, leaving a deep, gaping wound. Tatsuo's leg buckled, and he dropped to one knee, but his hand clenched into a fist. He gritted his teeth, enduring the pain.
Shinigami gave him no time to breathe. He swung Kurogama again, hitting Tatsuo's side. Blood sprayed in all directions, as if Tatsuo were a shattered water vessel. He could feel his strength fading, his life draining away, but he stood up once more, trembling but determined.
"Won't you just stay down?" Shinigami jeered, swinging the scythe in an elegant spin. The blade pierced Tatsuo's chest, narrowly missing his heart. The pain was unbearable, a blazing inferno coursing through his body, but he did not scream.
He couldn't. He mustn't.
Another blow struck him in the back, knocking the air from his lungs. Shinigami took advantage of the moment, raising the blade again and aiming straight for Tatsuo's stomach. The blade sliced through flesh and bone, leaving a bloody trail and the all-too-familiar mist of the bleeding technique.
Tatsuo gasped, barely able to breathe, yet he continued to fight. Every step, every punch was a struggle, but he thought of his friends. Maki, who always made him laugh. Ryoko, who never abandoned him. Aimi, who was always there for him with her gentle nature. And Aki… Aki, who was like a brother to him.
"I can't… fall…" he muttered as Shinigami struck again. The blade sliced open his arm, blood pouring onto the cold marble floor.
"You're finished," Shinigami whispered, swinging once more. The blade cut deep into Tatsuo's side, slicing through his flank, and the young man fell to both knees. "Just give up."
Tatsuo looked up at him, a small smile on his lips. "Never."
Suddenly, Aki's eyes shot open. The pain in his body was overshadowed by something greater – the fear of losing Tatsuo.
He focused, mustering all his strength. With a powerful jerk, he managed to break free from the paralyzing grip of the bleeding curse.
"Tatsuo!" Aki shouted, his voice filled with panic and despair. He rushed to his friend, whose body was already trembling, blood pouring from the deep wounds.
"Aki…" Tatsuo's voice was barely a whisper. He lay in a pool of his own blood, his eyes glassy, but a gentle smile lingered on his lips.
"Why… Why did you do that?!" Tears streamed down Aki's cheeks. "You could have saved yourself… Why did you sacrifice yourself?!"
Tatsuo shakily raised his hand and gently placed it on Aki's cheek. "Because… you are my brother," he whispered. "Because I wanted to protect you. All of you… I just couldn't do otherwise."
Aki held Tatsuo's hand, his fingers trembling with cold. "No… No, you can't die… I need you… We all need you."
Tatsuo smiled weakly. "Promise me… that you will keep fighting. For all of us." His eyes fell to Aki's hand, where a stylish bracelet lay. The same bracelet adorned his own wrist, bought that morning as a symbol of their friendship.
Aki sobbed and placed the bracelet in Tatsuo's hand. "Here… This is for you… You mustn't let go of it, do you hear me?!"
Tatsuo closed his fingers around the bracelet, his breathing growing shallower. "Thank you… Aki. You're the best friend I ever had."
With one final, weak breath, he whispered, "Fate is now in your hands… my brother."
Then his body went limp. The smile faded from his lips, and his hand fell lifelessly to the side, the bracelet still clutched in his fingers.
"TATSUO!" Aki screamed, his voice echoing through the empty halls of the castle. Tears streamed uncontrollably down his face, mixing with the blood on his hands. He sank to his knees, holding Tatsuo's lifeless body as pain, anger, and grief overwhelmed him like a tidal wave.
It was a scream full of rage, full of despair, as Aki threw his head back and screamed into the void. "NOOOO!!!"
The darkness of the castle seemed to close in as Aki's anguish echoed through the walls like an explosion.
Aki knelt there, his hands clinging tightly to Tatsuo's lifeless body. The warm blood of his friend stained his fingers deep red, soaked through his clothes, but he felt none of it. The cold that coursed through him was deeper than anything he had ever felt. It was as if someone had ripped his heart out and shattered it into a thousand pieces. A dull thudding echoed in his head, drowning out every sound, blurring everything around him.
"No… No, this can't be true…" he whispered, his voice barely audible, trembling, broken. He shook his head as if he could simply erase reality, as if this were only a nightmare from which he would soon awaken. But Tatsuo's body in his arms was real. The bloody handprint, the cold skin – everything was real.
"TATSUUUUUOOOO!!" he screamed, this time with such force that even the stones of the castle seemed to tremble. The darkness of the hall seemed to draw back, as if it mirrored Aki's despair. His throat burned, but he kept screaming, his face twisted in pain and rage. He couldn't believe it. He didn't want to believe it.
Tears streamed down his cheeks, mixing with the blood. "Why…? WHY?!" he screamed into the void. His fingers tightened, clawing into Tatsuo's clothes as if he could bring him back, as if he could force him back to life with sheer willpower. "You can't leave me… You mustn't leave me!"
But only silence answered.
Aki felt something change inside him. It was as if a part of him shattered, as if a dark abyss opened within him. The anger, the hatred, the grief – all these emotions fused into a blazing flame that began to consume him from within. His entire body trembled uncontrollably, his nails dug into his palms until blood oozed out.
"I will never forgive him for this…" he whispered, his voice little more than a growl. His gaze was empty, yet deep in his eyes burned a fire hotter than anything he had ever felt. Memories of Tatsuo flooded his mind – his laughter, his warmth, his unwavering friendship. All of it was now gone. Torn away.
"I will destroy him…" he gasped. The words slipped from his lips like a dark promise as he slowly looked up, his gaze fixed on the door where Shinigami had disappeared. The tears dried on his cheeks, leaving only a cold, merciless resolve.
Aki rose to his feet, slowly, unsteadily, as if he might collapse at any moment. Yet it was as if an invisible force held him up – the last remnants of Tatsuo's strength living on in him. He held his friend's bracelet in his trembling hand and wrapped it around his own wrist.
"I swear… by your name… I will make him pay," he whispered. "For you… For everything you gave me."
One last time, he let his eyes linger on Tatsuo's face, which looked peaceful and serene, as if he were merely sleeping. Aki leaned forward, gently pressed his forehead against his friend's, tears rolling down his cheeks once more. "Thank you…" he said softly, his voice breaking, "thank you for always being there… I will never forget you."
Then, with a deep breath, he released Tatsuo's body, slowly and reluctantly, as if every moment longer shattered him further. But he knew he had to move on now. For Tatsuo.
He stood up, wiped the tears from his eyes, and placed a hand on the bracelet around his wrist. "I will never let you down," he whispered once more before turning towards the door, where his next battle awaited.
And in his eyes was nothing but the promise of a revenge that would show no mercy.
Aki stepped slowly back into the great hall where it had all begun. Each of his steps echoed like a deep thunderclap through the room. His gaze was cold, his eyes burned with suppressed rage and pain. The bracelet on his wrist felt heavy, weighed down by the burden of the promise he had made.
Shinigami stood across from him, calm and composed as always. His blood-red scythe, Kurogama, hung loosely in his hand, a smug grin on his face. "You've come back, Aki. But what do you expect to accomplish? You've seen how hopeless this is."
Aki was silent for a moment, his eyes narrowing. The air around him seemed to shimmer, as if it couldn't withstand the heat of his burning emotions. Then he slowly lifted his head, looking Shinigami directly in the eyes. In that moment, every trace of sorrow had vanished from his face, replaced by unyielding resolve.
"I have nothing left to lose," Aki said with a calm yet menacing voice. "You took everything from me. But this…" He raised his blade, and a blue mist began to swirl around its tip. "This isn't just my fight. It's for Tatsuo. For everything you destroyed."
Shinigami chuckled briefly, shaking his head slightly. "You're really willing to sacrifice your life for this pointless fight?"
Aki smiled, but it was not a friendly smile. It was the smile of a man who had nothing left to fear. "Pointless?" he asked, his voice turning into a deep growl. "No, Shinigami… You don't understand. I'm not fighting just for myself. I'm fighting for everyone you hurt. For Tatsuo. For my friends. And I will end you here."
Then he moved forward, his blade wreathed in red smoke, like a storm racing towards its target.
"Enjoy your last breath. This is your downfall, Shinigami."
The climax of the first season of Akuma has been reached. The next episode will be a special episode, highlighting the brotherly bond between Aki and Tatsuo. Stay tuned for Episode 19 - Brothers (Special).
A brave warrior has left us, cold and disrespectful at first, but his friendship with Aki transformed him into a wonderful person. Now he passes on his fate and dreams to his brother. We will never forget you. Rest in peace, Tatsuo.
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Stay tuned for the next chapter, and don't forget to share your thoughts and feedback in the comments. See you next time!