Kazuki watched as the three cloaked figures completed their chant, the air around them thick with dark energy. A chill ran down his spine as he exchanged a concerned glance with Mira.
"We need to find out what they're summoning," Kazuki said, trying to keep his voice steady. "If they're working for the demon king, this could be disastrous for everyone in the tournament."
Mira nodded, her expression serious. "But we can't just charge in without a plan. We don't know what kind of power they're dealing with."
"Agreed. Let's scout around, see if we can gather more information," Kazuki suggested. They carefully moved around the clearing, staying hidden behind trees and bushes.
As they crept closer, Kazuki's instincts kicked in. He could feel the tension in the air—the oppressive weight of dark magic swirling like a storm ready to break. The figures continued their incantation, and suddenly, the ground beneath them began to tremble.
"What are they doing?" Mira whispered, her voice barely audible.
Kazuki peered through the foliage and saw the runes glowing brighter, pulsating with energy. "I think they're trying to summon a demon. We have to stop this."
Just as he made up his mind, a loud crack echoed through the clearing, and the ground split open, revealing a swirling abyss. The chanting grew louder, a cacophony of dark energy spilling into the night.
"Now!" Kazuki yelled, charging into the clearing with his sword drawn. Mira followed closely behind, summoning a shield of light to protect them from the malevolent magic.
The cloaked figures turned, their eyes glowing with a sinister light. "You shouldn't have come here, hero," one of them hissed, pulling back their hood to reveal a twisted face, half-human, half-demon. "You'll regret interfering in our plans."
Kazuki felt a rush of adrenaline. "I won't let you unleash whatever you're trying to summon!"
With that, he lunged forward, engaging the nearest figure. The figure met him with a swift strike of dark energy, but Kazuki dodged, using his superior speed to close the distance. He swung his sword, the blade glinting in the moonlight as it sliced through the air.
Mira supported him from behind, channeling her magic to bolster his strength. "Kazuki, watch out!" she shouted, pointing toward the second figure, who was gathering dark energy in its hands.
Kazuki pivoted, barely avoiding a blast of shadowy magic. He countered with a swift strike, his sword clashing against the figure's weapon, which looked like a twisted scythe.
"You're strong, but you can't hope to defeat us," the figure sneered, parrying Kazuki's attack with surprising agility. "The demon king will reward us for your defeat!"
Kazuki gritted his teeth, feeling the intensity of the fight build. He couldn't afford to let them succeed. "Mira, can you break the summoning circle?" he called out.
"I'll try!" she replied, focusing her energy on the runes that continued to pulse ominously. Kazuki could see her struggling, the dark energy pushing back against her light.
"Keep them occupied!" she urged.
Kazuki nodded, refocusing on the fight. He darted between the two figures, delivering quick strikes while evading their counterattacks. He felt exhilarated as his strength surged, his movements fluid and precise.
"Is that all you've got?" Kazuki taunted, trying to draw their attention away from Mira.
The figures snarled in frustration, and the third one began to chant again, the air thickening with power. Kazuki recognized the danger and pushed himself harder. With a well-timed maneuver, he knocked the scythe away and aimed a powerful kick at the first figure, sending them sprawling.
"Mira!" he shouted. "Now!"
With a final push, she unleashed a burst of radiant energy, and the runes exploded in a shower of sparks, the dark magic dissipating into the night air.
Kazuki felt the shift immediately—the oppressive weight lifting as the figures staggered back, their connection to the dark magic severed.
"Retreat!" one of them yelled, and they began to withdraw, their confidence shattered.
Kazuki moved to pursue them, but Mira placed a hand on his shoulder. "Let them go. We need to regroup and inform the others about this. They'll be back."
Kazuki nodded, catching his breath. "You're right. We have to warn the others before it's too late."