Hiroto stood alone on the windswept training field, the sun casting long shadows across the cracked earth. The memory of his battle against the Midnight Specter replayed in his mind—the surge of adrenaline, the blistering pain, and the unyielding resolve to protect Ronan. That fight had birthed something extraordinary, something raw and untamed. Now, it demanded refinement.
His body bore faint scars from the clash, the burns serving as a constant reminder of his limits. Yet, thanks to his light powers, he had healed enough to return to this place, determined to face the challenge head-on.
"I won't let this power control me," Hiroto muttered, his voice steady with resolve. "I have to control it."
Summoning the light within him, he clenched his fists. Sparks of radiance crackled across his skin, illuminating his focused expression. Without hesitation, he launched forward, his body transforming into a streak of golden light.
The exhilaration hit instantly—the world blurred into a rush of motion. But almost as quickly, pain followed. The energy seared through him, his skin feeling as though it were being flayed from within.
Hiroto stumbled to a halt, his knees hitting the ground as he panted heavily. His hands trembled, the faint smell of scorched flesh wafting in the air.
"This isn't sustainable," he muttered, his voice tight with frustration. His light powers alone were too volatile, too destructive—even to himself. He needed balance.
Closing his eyes, Hiroto reached inward, calling upon the shadows. They responded like a loyal ally, dark tendrils slithering around his form and forming a protective shroud. The cool embrace of shadow energy soothed his burns, calming the volatile light. For the first time, he felt the two forces—light and shadow—existing in harmony.
"Let's see if this works."
Charging himself with light again, Hiroto crouched low, the shadows clinging to him like armor. He burst forward, the ground cracking beneath his feet. This time, the shadows absorbed the intense heat, protecting him from the light's destructive power.
The training field became a blur of light and darkness as Hiroto weaved through it, each step leaving cracks in the earth. At the field's edge, he stopped abruptly and turned, channeling all his energy into a single point.
Darkness spiraled around him, compressing into a dense vortex, while light gathered at its core, radiating with an almost blinding intensity. With a fierce shout, Hiroto unleashed the attack—a devastating arc of shadow edged with a beam of piercing light.
The ground trembled as the energy carved a deep scar into the earth, leaving dust and debris in its wake. For a moment, silence reigned.
Hiroto stood amidst the destruction, his chest heaving but his body unscathed. The shadows had shielded him perfectly. A small smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
"This… this is what I've been searching for," he whispered. "Eternal Rupture."
The name came naturally, capturing the devastating power and sinister elegance of the attack.
From the field's edge, his friends approached, their faces etched with a mix of awe and concern.
"Hiroto," Ronan called, his voice tinged with worry. "Are you trying to kill yourself?"
"I'm fine," Hiroto replied, his tone calm but resolute. "This technique… it's not just a weapon—it's a necessity."
"I'll give you this," Aqua remarked, clipboard in hand. "The energy output is off the charts. But if your shadows had faltered even slightly… you'd be dust."
"They didn't," Hiroto said simply, glancing at the faint tendrils still clinging to his arms. "They're the key. Without them, this attack is impossible."
Ayla stepped closer, her fiery gaze softening as she placed a hand on his shoulder. "You're playing with forces that no one truly understands. Are you sure this is the path you want to take?"
Hiroto met her gaze, his expression somber. "I don't have a choice. With what's coming, this is the only way to stand a chance."
As the sun dipped below the horizon, bathing the field in twilight, Hiroto's eyes lingered on the scarred earth. The power he had unleashed was immense, but the risk it carried was undeniable.
Could he truly master Eternal Rupture, or was it destined to consume him before he could use it when it mattered most?