The shadows around Yuto grew heavier, thickening like a dark storm that refused to dissipate. Each breath felt like a struggle against the oppressive weight of Nyx's presence. But Yuto stood firm, his sword glowing faintly in the encroaching gloom.
Nyx circled him, its form shifting and twisting, an eerie, fluid motion that left no openings. The smile that played on Nyx's lips was filled with malice, as if it knew something Yuto didn't.
"Is this really what you want, Yuto?" Nyx's voice dripped with condescension. "To keep fighting a battle you're destined to lose? You know as well as I do, you cannot win."
Yuto tightened his grip on the hilt of his sword, keeping his eyes trained on the swirling darkness. "I'm not going to give up. Not now. Not ever."
Nyx let out a low chuckle. "Such determination. But that's the thing about humans, isn't it? You always cling to hope, even when it's nothing more than an illusion."
"Maybe," Yuto replied, his voice steady despite the fear gnawing at him. "But hope's what keeps me going."
Nyx's eyes glinted with amusement as it stopped in its slow circle, standing directly in front of Yuto. "Is that so? Well, let's see how long you can hold onto that hope..."
Without warning, Nyx surged forward, faster than Yuto could react. The shadows seemed to blur, and before Yuto could raise his sword to block, Nyx's hand shot out, driving a shadowy blade straight into Yuto's chest.
Time seemed to slow as the sharp, cold pain pierced through Yuto's heart. His eyes widened in shock as he felt the blade sink deeper, tearing through flesh and bone. His breath hitched, and a strangled gasp escaped his lips.
Nyx leaned in close, its twisted smile hovering inches from Yuto's face. "I told you, Yuto... You can't win."
Yuto staggered back, the sword slipping from his hand and clattering to the ground as his knees buckled. He clutched his chest, feeling the hot, sticky blood seeping between his fingers. His vision blurred, and he dropped to one knee, gasping for air as the darkness around him seemed to grow even thicker.
"You..." Yuto's voice was hoarse, barely a whisper. "This... isn't over..."
Nyx tilted its head, amusement flickering in its eyes. "Oh, but it is. You're dying, Yuto. You can't fight with a shattered heart."
Yuto's body trembled as he struggled to stay upright. The pain was overwhelming, each heartbeat sending waves of agony through his body. His mind screamed at him to stand, to fight, but his body refused to listen.
For a moment, Yuto thought he might black out, but then... a voice. A familiar voice, distant yet comforting.
"Yuto, get up."
Yuto's eyes fluttered open, and he blinked against the pain. That voice—it was Kaito's. His brother's voice.
"Kaito?" Yuto whispered, his vision swimming as he tried to focus. He felt the warmth of his brother's presence, a fleeting sensation that gave him the strength to keep breathing.
"You can't let it end like this, Yuto," Kaito's voice echoed in his mind. "There's still more to fight for."
Yuto gritted his teeth, his fingers digging into the ground as he forced himself to stand. His legs wobbled, but he refused to fall. Not now. Not while Kaito was watching over him.
"You're... wrong, Nyx..." Yuto gasped, forcing the words out through the pain. "I... won't die here."
Nyx's amusement faded, replaced with mild curiosity. "How stubborn. I suppose you're going to tell me you have some grand final move left to pull out?"
Yuto straightened, his hand still clutching his chest. The wound was bad, and he could feel his strength fading, but there was something else. Something deeper. A fire that hadn't yet burned out.
"I don't need some grand final move," Yuto said, his voice growing stronger. "I have the strength of those who came before me. And they won't let me fall here."
Nyx narrowed its eyes, its mocking smile gone. "What are you talking about?"
Yuto closed his eyes, summoning the last remnants of his energy. He could feel the spirits of the past Soulbound warriors, their presence surrounding him like a protective cloak. And then, there was Kaito—strong, unwavering, always watching over him.
"I'm not fighting alone," Yuto whispered, his voice filled with resolve. "Kaito, I'm ready."
For a moment, nothing happened. But then, Yuto's body began to glow, a soft, golden light spreading from his chest, pushing back the darkness. The pain in his heart didn't fade, but it became bearable, as if the spirits themselves were helping to carry the burden.
Nyx took a step back, its eyes narrowing. "What is this?"
Yuto opened his eyes, and they were no longer filled with fear. "This is the power of those who believe in me. The power of the Soulbound." His aura flared brightly, a blinding light cutting through the shadows.
Nyx hissed, recoiling as the light grew stronger. "You think this will save you? You think their spirits can protect you?"
Yuto took a step forward, each movement deliberate, despite the agony coursing through his body. "I don't think... I know."
Nyx's form twisted and writhed, its calm demeanor cracking as the light continued to grow. "You're delusional! You're on the brink of death!"
"And yet, I'm still standing." Yuto's voice was steady, unwavering. He gripped the hilt of his sword, which had begun to glow with the same golden light. "As long as I have the will to fight, I won't fall to you."
With a roar of defiance, Nyx lunged forward, its shadowy form surging toward Yuto in a whirlwind of darkness. But this time, Yuto was ready.
He raised his sword, the blade shining with the power of the fallen warriors, and met Nyx head-on. Their clash sent shockwaves rippling through the air, the light of Yuto's Anima colliding with the pure darkness of Nyx.
The impact was explosive, a violent burst of energy that shook the very ground beneath them. Nyx's blade clashed with Yuto's glowing sword, sparks flying as the two forces fought for dominance.
But Yuto didn't back down. He pushed forward, using every ounce of strength he had left. His heart thudded painfully in his chest, each beat a reminder of the damage Nyx had inflicted, but Yuto refused to yield.
Nyx's eyes blazed with fury as it pressed down on Yuto, trying to overpower him. "You're nothing but a fool! You can't stop me!"
Yuto's grip on his sword tightened, his knuckles white. "Maybe... but I'll die trying!"
The light around Yuto grew even brighter, pushing back against the darkness with renewed vigor. For the first time, Nyx faltered, its form flickering as the light seared through the shadows.
"This can't be..." Nyx hissed, struggling to hold its ground.
Yuto's eyes locked onto Nyx's, filled with determination. "I won't let despair win."
And with a final surge of strength, Yuto pushed back with everything he had. His sword cut through the shadows, cleaving through Nyx's form with a brilliant flash of light.
Nyx let out a guttural scream as the light engulfed it, its form disintegrating into the air. The darkness that had surrounded them slowly began to fade, leaving only the soft glow of Yuto's Anima.
But as the battle reached its peak, Yuto felt his body give out. The pain in his chest flared up again, and he stumbled, dropping his sword as his vision blurred.
He collapsed to the ground, gasping for breath, the wound in his heart taking its toll. The golden light around him flickered and dimmed, and Yuto knew that, despite his victory, his time was running out.
"Kaito..." Yuto whispered, his voice barely audible. "Did I... do enough?"
And as the darkness slowly returned, Yuto's vision faded to black.