The town of Kuoh sat under a blanket of heavy silence, its streets shrouded in shadow and the faint hum of protective barriers. Mikhael moved with purpose, his crimson eyes scanning the landscape as he followed the whispers of the cursed artifact. It was louder now, its presence digging into his mind like claws, pulling him toward the outskirts of the Gremory and Sitri territories.
The whispers spoke of power, promises that scratched at his ambition. Mikhael smirked coldly, knowing better than to trust anything so eager to be wielded. Whatever the artifact wanted, he intended to find out on his terms.
A Faint Trail
As he moved deeper into the town, Mikhael activated Mana Sense, stretching his perception outward. The air was thick with traces of magic, faint remnants of patrols, and lingering spells. Among them, one energy signature stood out—faint, unstable, and erratic.
Mikhael's brow furrowed. The signature wasn't the artifact's, but it was close to it. It felt familiar, yet off—like a fragment of something greater. Adjusting his coat, he followed the trail north, toward a derelict part of Kuoh Town.
The Silver-Haired Girl
The trail led Mikhael to an abandoned warehouse. Its exterior was weathered and covered in graffiti, the windows shattered and the doors hanging loosely on their hinges. The perfect hiding spot for rogues—or prey.
Inside, Mikhael heard the faint scuff of movement. He activated Shadow Step, slipping silently into the shadows as he approached the source of the noise.
In the dim light, he spotted a young girl crouched behind a stack of crates. Her silver hair shimmered faintly in the darkness, and her golden eyes glowed like embers.
Shirone.
Mikhael's mind raced. The young nekoshou was infamous even among the Syndicate. She was a survivor—a rare breed of cat yokai who had endured unimaginable loss. Her presence here, so far from protection, was unexpected.
Before Mikhael could assess her further, a guttural growl echoed through the warehouse. A hulking, grotesque stray devil emerged from the shadows, its twisted form crackling with unstable energy. It sniffed the air, its glowing red eyes narrowing as they locked onto the young nekoshou.
Mikhael's hand tensed. The stray lunged toward Shirone, its claws raised to strike.
A Dynamic Battle
Mikhael moved instinctively, activating Phantom Dash to blur forward. He appeared in front of Shirone, his arm raised to intercept the devil's attack. The claws clashed against his forearm guard with a metallic screech, and Mikhael countered with Parry Flow, redirecting the devil's momentum.
His open palm slammed into the devil's chest, sending it skidding back. Mikhael didn't waste a second, activating Serpent Step to circle around the creature with blinding speed.
The devil roared, lashing out wildly, but its strikes found only air. Mikhael's movements were fluid, each step calculated to evade and reposition.
The devil growled in frustration, its energy flaring as it lunged again. Mikhael dodged with ease, delivering a sharp Tornado Kick to its jaw. The spinning strike sent the devil crashing into a stack of crates, wood splintering on impact.
Skill: Tornado Kick
A high-speed spinning kick that combines agility and power, disorienting opponents with its force and precision.
The devil groaned, staggering to its feet. Mikhael activated Rapid Lotus, his fists and feet striking in a flurry of precise blows that targeted the creature's weak points. The assault left the devil reeling, its malformed body cracking under the pressure.
But the stray wasn't finished. It let out a guttural snarl, dark energy pooling around its claws as it prepared a desperate counterattack.
"Stay back!" Mikhael barked at Shirone, who hadn't moved from her spot.
The devil charged, its claws glowing with unstable magic. Mikhael countered with Rising Dragon, his palm striking the devil's chin and launching it into the air. He followed in an instant, spinning mid-air to deliver a devastating heel kick that sent the creature crashing back to the ground.
Skill: Rising Dragon
A taijutsu finisher that combines an upward strike with a follow-up aerial kick to incapacitate or defeat an opponent.
The stray devil collapsed, its energy flickering weakly. Mikhael stepped forward, activating Gluttony's Sin Drain. Tendrils of dark energy lashed out, wrapping around the creature and siphoning its remaining power.
The devil let out a final, pitiful cry before disintegrating into ash.
A Reluctant Ally
Mikhael turned back to Shirone, who had watched the battle in stunned silence. Her claws were partially extended, a defensive instinct she hadn't fully suppressed.
"You're not from here," she said finally, her voice quiet but steady.
"Neither are you," Mikhael replied, brushing dust from his coat.
Shirone's golden eyes narrowed. "What do you want?"
Mikhael studied her for a moment. "I'm after something bigger than a stray devil. You're lucky I was here, or you'd be dead."
"I can handle myself," she shot back, though her defensive tone betrayed her uncertainty.
"Clearly." Mikhael's smirk was faint but unmistakable. He adjusted his coat and stepped toward the warehouse's exit. "Stay out of my way, and you might live long enough to prove it."
Shirone hesitated, her gaze flickering to the ground. "Wait."
Mikhael paused but didn't turn around.
"You're after the artifact, aren't you?" she asked.
Mikhael's expression darkened. "How do you know about that?"
"I heard rumors," Shirone said carefully. "A rogue devil holed up in a chapel outside town. They've been experimenting with magic—stealing power from artifacts."
Mikhael turned to face her, his interest piqued. "Show me."
The Chapel
The ruined chapel stood at the edge of Kuoh's territory, its crumbling walls covered in glowing runes. Mikhael and Shirone approached cautiously, their steps silent as they moved through the overgrown grass.
Inside, the air was thick with the stench of decay. At the center of the room, a rogue devil loomed over a glowing pedestal. The artifact hovered above it, its energy pulsing erratically.
"Stay out of sight," Mikhael ordered Shirone.
The devil turned, its red eyes narrowing. "Another pest?" it growled, its voice a guttural snarl.
Mikhael smirked, his crimson eyes gleaming. "You should've stayed hidden."