The relentless rain poured down, as if trying to erase the world from the map. Beneath a massive meteor, the shattered city looked like a mass grave, littered with ruins and remnants of destruction. The dark sky hung heavily, and at its center, the meteor stood like a throne of death. Its surface pulsed, emanating a crimson aura that resembled the flesh of a living, colossal being.
Beneath it, Touka stood motionless. A dark red aura cloaked his body, like an ominous fog. Half of his face was obscured by the parasite that had taken control of him. His eyes, once filled with determination, now only held cold hatred. The parasite within him whispered in a low voice, directly into his mind.
"They built this throne with the blood of the innocent," it hissed. "And now, we will bring it all to an end."
Without warning, Touka's body launched forward, slamming into the meteor with tremendous force. Its surface cracked and then shattered, revealing blackened crimson flesh beneath. He kept striking until a dark, corpse-reeking corridor emerged.
Outside, Shina stood at the edge of a crumbling building, gazing at the meteor that now resembled a colossal monster more than a celestial object. Rain soaked her face, but she didn't care. The energy blade in her hand glimmered faintly, reflecting her unwavering resolve.
"...Touka, I know this isn't you," she murmured, her eyes filled with a mix of worry and determination.
Without hesitation, she leapt into the ruins, running toward the meteor. Her steps were steady, unwavering, despite the storm and devastation in her path.
Inside the meteor, the corridor resembled the stomach of a massive beast. Its walls throbbed in rhythm with the rumbling sound coming from the meteor's core. Lining the passageway were dozens of Omnivorax, standing like deadly sentinels. Some were larger than any Touka had seen before—giants with spiked bodies and claws capable of shredding steel.
One of them roared, summoning the others to attack.
"More meat to tear apart," the parasite chuckled darkly, its tone dripping with malice.
The first Omnivorax lunged with terrifying speed, its claws aimed directly at Touka's throat. But its attack met nothing but emptiness. In an instant, Touka twisted his body, tearing off the creature's head with a single strike. Black blood sprayed into the air, flooding the already slick, foul-smelling floor.
The remaining creatures charged all at once. Touka fought with ruthless efficiency, every strike accompanied by the sound of snapping bones and agonized screams. His claws ripped through their bodies one by one, while his parasite-fueled form absorbed the energy from their spilled blood.
But they didn't stop. Wave after wave of creatures battered him, each step forward becoming heavier. The parasite forced Touka's body to keep moving, even as exhaustion began to creep into his muscles.
At the meteor's core, a vast dome-like chamber stood like a cathedral of darkness. Colossal pillars emitted black energy that shrouded the area in a toxic haze. At the center of the room, a massive throne of bone and flesh loomed.
Xaldark sat upon it. His enormous body nearly engulfed the throne. His organic armor seemed fused to his body, pulsating with an aura that reeked of death. His glowing red eyes gazed at Touka with satisfaction as he entered.
"Ah, Parasite X-15, you've finally returned. I've been waiting for this moment," Xaldark's voice boomed like thunder, deep and terrifying.
The parasite within Touka hissed. "Tch... I'm no longer your tool!"
"Oh, but you've always been my tool," Xaldark replied as he rose slowly. His towering form nearly reached the dome's peak. "You're nothing more than a cog in this grand plan. You were created to serve me. You and all these creatures belong to me."
Touka lunged forward, his claws glowing blood-red. He attacked with all his might, but Xaldark merely raised a hand. A wave of energy burst from his body, slamming Touka into the dome's wall with crushing force.
The Omnivorax around Xaldark began to move, attacking Touka with lethal precision. One struck him from behind, while another tore into his body. Though gravely wounded, Touka's body continued to heal rapidly, driven by the parasite devouring him from within.
Shina entered the chamber, gasping for breath. The scene before her froze her in place—dead Omnivorax littered the floor, and at the center, Touka, barely human, fought against Xaldark and his minions.
"Touka!?" she whispered. But when her eyes fell on Xaldark, she knew there was no time for hesitation.
With blinding speed, Shina dashed toward Xaldark, attacking from an unexpected angle. Her energy blade pierced through one of his arms, severing it with a sharp crack.
Xaldark roared in fury, turning to face her. "Who are you, little creature?"
"The one who will destroy you," Shina replied firmly, positioning herself beside Touka, who was barely holding on.
The parasite within Touka faltered momentarily, sensing Shina's presence. This allowed Touka to regain partial control. Together, they attacked Xaldark, striking from both sides.
Shina's strikes were swift and precise, while Touka's brutal strength created openings. Xaldark fought back desperately, but in the end, their combined assault shattered the core of energy within his body.
Xaldark howled in agony. "This... cannot be..." he muttered before his body exploded into fragments of dark energy.
The meteor began to collapse. Massive pillars fell, bringing the entire structure to its end.
Shina ran to Touka. "Regain control!"
But Touka didn't respond. In his feral form, he only glanced at Shina briefly before leaping out of the meteor, vanishing into the chaos.
Shina stood amidst the ruins, watching her brother's retreating figure. "I promise, I'll find you again," she murmured, her resolve strengthening even as tears streamed down her face.
The meteor crumbled, taking the throne of destruction with it—but the battle for Touka and Shina was far from over.