High in the sky, a crimson light streaked across the heavens, tearing through the clouds like a comet. Tidiane watched from the mountainside, his heart pounding as the presence grew closer. The energy radiating from this red flash, or Zowa, was unlike anything he'd felt before—its sheer intensity pressed against him like a tidal wave, an ominous warning of the darkness bearing down on Nyemba.
Without hesitation, Tidiane raised his arm, summoning his own Zowa, a bright silver light crackling around his fingers. With a shout, he unleashed a powerful energy blast toward the flash. His Zowa streaked through the air, splitting the sky as it closed in on the crimson threat. But the red light dodged in a sharp arc, evading Tidiane's attack with an agility that sent a chill down his spine. This was no ordinary foe.
Tidiane steadied himself, his senses on high alert. Then, in a burst of speed, the crimson flash changed direction, heading straight toward him. Tidiane barely had time to react as the light closed in, touching down in an explosion of dust and energy.
As the dust settled, a figure stepped forward. He was clad in blood-red armor, adorned with serpent motifs that glowed faintly in the dimming light. His gaze was cold and calculating, his every movement smooth yet coiled with lethal intent. He was both terrifying and mesmerizing, and as he stood before Tidiane, he spoke in a low, mocking tone.
"I am Zaria of the Red Serpent," he declared, his voice resonant with a chilling confidence.
Tidiane's mind raced. The name struck him like a blow, pulling him back to tales he'd read, stories whispered by the elders. Zaria—the Red Serpent who had once betrayed the kingdom, his power so fearsome that his name was etched into the darkest pages of history. And yet, he was supposed to have been defeated long ago, his fate sealed in the depths of the underworld.
Tidiane narrowed his eyes. "Zaria... it can't be. You were defeated, cast into oblivion."
Zaria's lips curled into a smirk. "Death is but a doorway," he replied, his voice dripping with disdain. "I have returned, and this time, I seek the Great Blessing—a power that will surpass even the legendary Moonstone."
The Great Blessing. Tidiane's pulse quickened. He had heard whispers of it in the oldest texts, tales of a power so immense it could rewrite fate itself. But these were stories, ancient myths. Or so he had thought.
Zaria's gaze sharpened, glinting with challenge. "Tell me, where can I find your so-called strongest demon hunter? I'd like to see how he fares against true power."
Tidiane clenched his fists, his Zowa flaring to life around him. "You'll find him soon enough. But first, you'll have to get through me."
Zaria chuckled, the sound cold and dismissive. "Very well. Show me what the hunters of Nyemba are made of."
With a battle cry, Tidiane launched himself forward, closing the distance between them in the blink of an eye. His fist connected with Zaria's armored chest, sending a shockwave that rippled through the air. But Zaria barely moved, his expression amused.
"Is that all?" he taunted, blocking Tidiane's follow-up strike with a single hand. In a swift counter, Zaria swung his leg in a low, sweeping kick, catching Tidiane off guard and sending him skidding back.
But Tidiane was relentless. He rebounded instantly, his fists flashing like lightning as he unleashed a flurry of blows, each strike infused with his Zowa. The force of his attacks cracked the ground beneath them, sending shards of earth flying. Yet Zaria met each attack with a calm precision, parrying Tidiane's punches with a grace that seemed almost effortless.
Suddenly, Zaria seized an opening. He caught Tidiane's wrist, twisting it with brutal force before driving his knee into Tidiane's abdomen. Tidiane gasped as the air was forced from his lungs, but he grit his teeth, retaliating with a powerful headbutt that forced Zaria to release him.
They parted, both breathing heavily. Tidiane wiped blood from his lip, his eyes blazing with determination. This was no ordinary enemy, and every fiber of his being screamed that Zaria was a threat of the highest order.
But Tidiane was a demon hunter, and he would not yield.
---
**Meanwhile, at the School**
Asha sat quietly in the schoolyard, watching a group of older boys who had gathered around something on the ground. He could hear faint whimpers and, with a surge of concern, moved closer. There, lying in the center of the group, was a small, trembling puppy, its body covered in bruises.
The boys laughed cruelly, shoving and kicking the helpless creature. Asha felt a surge of anger rise within him, stronger than anything he'd felt before. Without thinking, he pushed through the group and shielded the puppy with his own body.
"Leave it alone!" he shouted, his voice trembling with fury.
One of the older boys sneered. "What are you gonna do about it, huh?"
But as they drew closer, something extraordinary happened. Asha felt a warmth spreading from his chest, radiating down his arms and into his hands. He placed his hands gently on the puppy's injured body, and a soft glow began to emanate from his palms. The bruises on the puppy's skin began to fade, the trembling subsiding as the creature's wounds disappeared.
Asha stared in awe as the puppy looked up at him, its eyes filled with gratitude.
Unbeknownst to him, this was the first awakening of the Great Blessing within him—a power he did not yet understand.
---
**Back to the Battle**
Just as Tidiane prepared to launch another attack, Zaria's head snapped to the side, his gaze distant and intent. He had sensed something—an energy far greater than any Zowa he had felt before. The faint trace of the Great Blessing was somewhere nearby.
"So… it has finally awakened," Zaria murmured, a twisted smile forming on his lips.
Tidiane took advantage of the distraction, aiming a powerful punch at Zaria's jaw. But Zaria sidestepped with supernatural speed, his focus now elsewhere.
"This battle is over, Tidiane. I have more important matters to attend to," he declared, his voice full of dark anticipation. Before Tidiane could react, Zaria vanished in a blur of crimson, his form fading into the horizon.
Tidiane stood, breathing hard, his fists still clenched. A sense of dread settled over him as he realized the full weight of what had just happened. Wasting no time, he activated his communicator, contacting headquarters.
"An enemy is heading toward the capital," he said, his voice tight with urgency. "Prepare everyone—Zaria of the Red Serpent is back."