The night was cold and quiet, with only the sound of Natsuo and Minami's breathing breaking the stillness. Standing before them, the Night Commander cast a long, intimidating shadow across the rocky ground. His silver armor caught the faint light of the moon, making him look even more imposing. He stood tall, his hand casually resting on the hilt of his sword, as if daring them to try something.
Minami's heart raced. Her pulse throbbed in her ears as she raised her hand, ready to summon her magic. She could feel the familiar warmth beginning to build in her fingertips.
But nothing happened.
Her eyes widened in shock. Her hand remained still, no magic sparking to life. Panic washed over her, and she stared at her hand, willing it to work. Her breathing quickened as fear began to take over. The Night Commander let out a low, mocking laugh.
"Did you really think we'd let you use magic against us?" His voice dripped with contempt as he stepped closer, his gaze cold and unfeeling. "We've got a little something that cancels out any magic within a kilometer. So, you're all alone. No magic, no escape."
His words hit like a punch to the gut. Natsuo's mind raced. His eyes darted from Minami to the soldiers behind the Commander, their armor gleaming as they advanced. If what he said was true, they were in serious trouble.
Minami turned to Natsuo, her face pale. "Natsuo… we can't..."
But Natsuo wasn't listening. His instincts kicked in, urging him to act. Without a second thought, he grabbed Minami's hand. "Run!" he shouted, pulling her along as they sprinted away, their feet pounding against the uneven ground.
Behind them, the clanking of the soldiers' armor echoed louder and louder as they gave chase. Natsuo's heart pounded in his chest, but his mind worked even faster, scrambling for a solution. He couldn't let them get caught. Not here. Not now.
Then, something strange happened. A surge of energy, raw and unfamiliar, swelled inside Natsuo, rising from deep within him. Desperation drove him to act. He thrust his hand forward, and to his shock, the air around them shimmered and distorted.
A portal—dark, swirling, and mysterious—appeared out of thin air.
Natsuo blinked in disbelief. What is this? His brain could barely comprehend what he'd just done.
"Come on, Minami!" he shouted, dragging her toward the portal. Their chance to escape was just within reach, salvation only a few steps away. They could make it. He knew they could.
But fate had other plans.
Just as they were about to jump through the portal, the Night Commander moved like lightning. In a flash, his hand shot out and grabbed Minami's wrist, yanking her backward with brutal force.
Minami let out a cry as she was torn from Natsuo's grasp, her wide eyes locked on his in pure terror.
"Minami!" Natsuo screamed, his fingers desperately reaching for her. But the portal's pull was too strong. He was sucked into its dark abyss, his outstretched hand missing hers by mere inches. His last sight of Minami was her terrified face as she struggled against the Commander's hold.
Then, everything went black.
Natsuo hit the ground hard, the impact knocking the breath out of him. He lay still for a moment, dazed and disoriented. When he finally opened his eyes, he found himself in a place unlike anything he'd ever seen before.
The air was thick and heavy, as if it was alive with some dark, oppressive force. The ground beneath him was cold, and the darkness around him wasn't just the absence of light—it was something more. It felt like the very shadows were reaching out, trying to swallow him whole.
And then he felt it. A presence. Something—or someone—was watching him.
A voice, low and filled with malice, echoed from the darkness. "Welcome, Natsuo."
Natsuo's blood ran cold. His heart pounded in his chest as he slowly turned toward the voice. Out of the shadows, a figure emerged—a towering man cloaked in darkness, his eyes glowing with a sinister light.
"I've been waiting for you," the figure said, stepping closer, a cruel smile playing on his lips.
"Who… who are you?" Natsuo's voice was barely a whisper, trembling despite his attempt to stay calm.
The figure chuckled, the sound sending shivers down Natsuo's spine. "I am Lucifer, the one your ancestors foolishly trapped here, in this dimension. I've been waiting for centuries, and now, thanks to you, I'm one step closer to freedom."
Lucifer's words made Natsuo's stomach drop. Lucifer? The stories his family had told, the legends passed down through the years, all spoke of the demon they had sealed away long ago. But Natsuo had never truly believed them.
Yet here he was, standing face to face with that very legend.
Lucifer's eyes seemed to pierce straight through Natsuo, his smile never faltering. "You, Natsuo, are special. You opened a portal to this realm, something no ordinary human could do. And now, you're going to help me escape."
Natsuo's breath caught in his throat. "Why would I help you?"
Lucifer's grin widened. "Because you want power, don't you? You want to save your friend, Minami. But as you are now, you're weak. You'll never save her on your own. But with my help, you could become unstoppable."
Natsuo's mind raced. Could he really trust Lucifer? The image of Minami flashed in his mind. She was still out there, in danger. He couldn't save her like this. He needed power. He needed to be stronger.
"What do you want from me?" Natsuo asked, his voice low.
Lucifer stepped closer, his presence overwhelming. "All I ask for is your soul. In return, I will grant you three powers. With them, no one will be able to stand in your way."
Natsuo hesitated. His soul? Could he really make that trade? But the thought of Minami—trapped, scared, and alone—pushed him to the edge. He couldn't fail her. Not after everything they'd been through.
"What kind of powers?" Natsuo asked.
Lucifer smiled, pleased with his question. "I thought you might ask that." He reached into the darkness surrounding him and pulled out three glowing orbs, each radiating a different light.
"The blue orb," Lucifer said, his voice smooth and persuasive, "holds all the knowledge of the world. With it, you will understand everything."
The blue orb glowed softly, humming with a mysterious power.
"The red orb," Lucifer continued, holding it up, "allows you to multiply anything by one trillion."
The red orb pulsed with fiery energy, hot to the touch.
"And the yellow orb," Lucifer said, his voice now almost a whisper, "gives you the ability to copy anything—whether it be powers, magic, or skills."
The yellow orb shone with a warm, golden light, inviting Natsuo to reach out and take it.
Natsuo stared at the orbs, his heart pounding. These powers… they were beyond anything he'd ever imagined. With them, he could do anything. He could save Minami. But in return, he would lose his soul. He would lose his emotions—his fear, his love, his humanity.
Was it worth it?
Natsuo's hands trembled as he made his decision. "I accept."
Lucifer's smile grew wider, more sinister. He stepped forward, and the orbs floated toward Natsuo, slowly merging into his body. The moment they touched him, a surge of power shot through him, stronger than anything he had ever felt before. It was overwhelming, terrifying, and exhilarating all at once.
As the power coursed through him, Natsuo's mind became clearer. His thoughts sharpened, his emotions faded, and a strange calm settled over him. He felt… hollow.
Lucifer's laughter echoed around him as his form began to fade into the shadows. "Your soul is mine now, Natsuo. And soon… I will be free."
Natsuo stood there, alone in the void, his fists clenched as the last traces of Lucifer disappeared. He could feel the new strength flowing through his veins, his mind buzzing with knowledge, power, and control. He wasn't the same person anymore. The fear, the doubt, the pain—it was all gone.
Now, there was only one thing on his mind: Minami.
He would find her. And anyone who stood in his way would be destroyed.
Without a word, Natsuo turned and stepped forward, ready to face whatever came next.