The dense forest stood silent, shrouded in the glow of the full moon. The only sounds were the crackling of magic and the heavy breaths of those locked in battle.
Lisa stood at the center, her arms crossed, a smirk playing on her lips. "So, are you guys enjoying this moment?" she teased, her voice dripping with amusement.
Ayame didn't waste a second. With a flick of her wrist, she conjured several glowing spheres of water and hurled them toward Lisa. "Water Magic: Water Ball!"
Lisa's smirk widened. "Ohh, balls? I like them." With a casual swipe of her hand, the water orbs dissipated into mist.
Ayame clenched her fists. Damn it... my magic is weaker than usual. Healing Yuto took more out of me than I thought.
Not far away, Yuto clashed with Voidron, sparks of lightning crackling around him. He dodged a swipe from Voidron's claws, countering with a burst of electricity. But then-
Voidron (thinking): My laser is fully charged. Perfect. Time to end this.
A deep hum filled the air as Voidron's gauntlet glowed ominously. Before Yuto could react, a beam of energy shot toward him, striking his chest with crushing force. He staggered back, eyes wide as pain shot through his body.
Yuto (thinking): Damn it... I let my guard down because of Lisa!He collapsed onto the dirt, struggling to move. Voidron stepped forward, his shadow looming over him.
"Any last words, foolish child?" Voidron sneered.
From the distance, Ayame gasped, her body trembling from exhaustion. Kiyomi stood beside her, reinforcing the barrier around Princess Rose.
Lisa sighed. "I have no interest in fighting weaklings," she muttered before turning away. With a flick of her cape, she vanished into the darkness.
Voidron raised his foot, preparing to stomp Yuto into the ground-
But then, Kiyomi's voice rang through the battlefield.
"Ether Zone... Shadow Magic: Nightmare Grasp!"
A chilling force surged through the air. Darkness stretched from Kiyomi's hands, reaching toward Voidron's feet like creeping vines. The moment it touched his shadow, his body froze.
"What?! I... I can't move!" Voidron's voice was filled with shock and rage.
Spell Information]
Nightmare Grasp - A spell that seizes an opponent's shadow, paralyzing them temporarily. However, the stronger the opponent's will, the shorter the effect lasts.
Kiyomi (thinking): This magic is powerful, but it burns through my Ether too fast... I can't hold him for long.
Yuto gritted his teeth, placing a hand over his chest. "I can't feel pain... but my blood is flowing like a river. Looks like it's time for payback!"
Ayame clenched her fists. Yuto's body is in shock... He can't feel his injuries, which means he won't be able to fight properly.
"Ether Zone... Heal Magic: Healing Form!"
A soft, warm light enveloped Yuto. His bleeding slowed, the pain returning in waves.
Yuto (thinking): My wounds... They're healing. Ayame... she's helping me again.
Electricity crackled around his hands once more. Renewed strength surged through his body. Without hesitation, he charged at Voidron.But Voidron was prepared. With a growl, he activated a smoke bomb, the battlefield instantly filling with thick fog.
"Next time, I'll kill you all," Voidron's voice echoed before disappearing.
As the smoke cleared, Yuto collapsed onto the ground. Ayame sank to her knees beside him. Kiyomi released the barrier and hurried to them.
"You see, Ayame? I told you I'd protect him," Kiyomi said, forcing a small smile.
Yuto groaned as he sat up. I'm not exhausted... but I've used too much Ether.
Then-
A chilling sensation filled the air.
Voidron reappeared, standing a few meters away. His clawed hand shot forward, grabbing Princess Rose by the neck.
"Did you see that, kids?" he taunted. "I always win. I'll be taking my prize now."
Ayame gritted her teeth, trying to summon her magic. But her body refused to move.
Voidron's UFO hovered above him, its hatch opening. He spread his wings, preparing to take flight-Not a chance!"
A fist struck Voidron's face with a force that sent him flying. Before anyone could register what had happened, a shadowy figure caught Rose mid-air and landed gracefully on the ground.
The dust settled, revealing the newcomer.
"Kenzo!" Yuto gasped.
Yuto (thinking): I punched Voidron earlier, and my hand almost shattered... but Kenzo isn't even fazed.
Voidron sat up, touching his jaw in disbelief. Then, his gaze fell to Kenzo's right hand-where a dark ring glowed ominously.
"The Infernal Signet..." Voidron whispered. "I can't believe it. The new Cursed Hero..."
Kenzo's expression was cold. "What do you want?"
Voidron smirked. "Give me the princess and your ring. Then I'll leave."
Kenzo scoffed. "In your dreams."
Voidron charged.
But in a flash, Kenzo was already behind him.
A punch to the stomach.
A kick to the ribs.
A knee to the face.
Each blow landed with brutal precision, sending Voidron reeling. Kenzo didn't stop. Teleporting again, he continued his assault-strike after strike, forcing Voidron into the air.
Finally, with one devastating blow, Kenzo sent Voidron crashing into the trees.
Smoke rose from the wreckage.
Voidron groaned, barely able to move. Summoning the last of his strength, he activated his UFO's teleportation system. "You'll regret this!" he spat before vanishing into the sky.
Kenzo exhaled, his fists still clenched.
He turned to Ayame. "Are you okay?"
Ayame, still catching her breath, nodded. "Yeah... I'm fine."
Yuto walked over, chuckling. "What about me?"
Kenzo smirked. "You're fine."
Yuto pouted. "You didn't even check!"
Kenzo ignored him and turned to Princess Rose. "Touch my hand."
The moment she did, a glow surrounded them. In an instant, they teleported back to the palace.
The Next Morning
Yuto stretched. "Yeah! I'm totally fine now!"
Ayame smiled. "Oh, thank god. I feel much better too."
Kiyomi ran into the room. "You're both okay!"
Yuto looked around. "Where's Kenzo?"
Kenzo walked in casually. "I'm here." He glanced at Ayame. "Are you feeling better?"
Ayame nodded.
Yuto waved his hands. "And me?"
Kenzo smirked. "I knew you'd be fine."
Yuto sighed. "Figures."
Kenzo's expression turned serious. "Yuto, come with me."
Yuto nodded. "No doubt."
As they left, Ayame called out, "Kenzo, you're hiding something, aren't you?"
Kenzo stiffened. "No. Nothing."
She frowned. "We've been friends since childhood. Don't lie to me."
Kenzo and Yuto stepped outside, the cool night breeze brushing against them as they walked along the castle grounds. The sky was clear, but the atmosphere between them was heavy.
Yuto glanced at Kenzo, his eyes narrowing. "Your power has increased again. What do you think?"
Kenzo exhaled, crossing his arms. "Yeah… Yesterday, I met the Super Demon Lord."
Yuto stopped in his tracks, his face twisting in shock. "What?!"
Kenzo nodded. "He told me something important."
---
[Flashback: Kenzo's Meeting with the Super Demon Lord]
Inside his dimly lit chamber, Kenzo stood firm as a dark figure loomed before him—the Super Demon Lord. The aura around him was suffocating, yet Kenzo didn't flinch.
Kenzo's eyes were sharp. "What do you want?"
The Super Demon Lord chuckled. "Want? I don't need anything."
Kenzo frowned. "Then why are you here?"
"For one reason—to help you," the Demon Lord replied, his voice deep and commanding.
Kenzo scoffed. "Help? You? That's the last thing I'd believe."
The Demon Lord smirked. "Oh, that attitude of yours… Fine, ignore it if you want. But listen closely, Kenzo." He raised a hand, and Kenzo's Infernal Signet Ring began to glow ominously. "Your ring grants you various abilities—teleportation, five-second future vision, and even Abyssal magic. You, who were born without magic, now have a power that enhances your combat skills beyond normal limits."
Kenzo clenched his fist. "I already know that."
"Then let me tell you what you don't know." The Demon Lord's gaze darkened. "During our last battle, your ring absorbed a curse—a power forged by five Demon Gods and fifty million demons. You now wield both the Infernal Signet's power and the Cursed Power."
Kenzo's eyes widened. "Cursed power?"
The Demon Lord nodded. "This is the second-to-last curse. The final one is far more dangerous. It belongs to the Onyx Hellring's owner, though his identity remains a mystery. If you want to control your power, remember one thing—your own anger is your biggest enemy. The more you let it consume you, the stronger the curse will become."
Kenzo stayed silent, processing the weight of those words.
With a knowing smile, the Super Demon Lord turned away. "You'll figure it out soon enough. See you again… cursed hero."
---
[Present: Castle Grounds]
Yuto crossed his arms. "So, you need to control this cursed power?"
Kenzo nodded. "Only half of it."
Yuto narrowed his eyes. "I still don't get it… Why would the Super Demon Lord help you?"
Kenzo looked up at the sky. "I don't know. And that's what bothers me the most."
---
[Meanwhile: Demon Castle]
Inside a grand throne room, the Super Demon Lord stood before a floating, glowing magic ball. Within it, Kenzo and Yuto's conversation played out.
He let out a deep, amused laugh. "You'll find out soon, Kenzo. Very soon."
---
[Back at the Castle: Kiyomi & Ayame]
Ayame and Kiyomi sat together, talking about the previous battle.
Suddenly, a masked figure approached them. His voice was calm yet eerie. "Excuse me, Princess Ayame."
Ayame raised an eyebrow. "Who are you?"
"I need a sample of your blood for testing," the masked man said.
Ayame hesitated but eventually nodded. "Alright. If it's for a test…"
The masked man took a small vial of her blood and stepped away. As soon as he left the castle, he removed his mask, revealing his true identity—Voidron.
He smirked. "So easy. Next, I'll take Kenzo's."
---
[Voidron's Deception]
Disguised as an old man, Voidron approached Kenzo's quarters.
"Excuse me, young man," he said in a frail voice. "The Healing Knights require a blood sample for testing. Would you mind giving some?"
Yuto narrowed his eyes. "Why?"
"For research purposes," Voidron replied.
Yuto looked at Kenzo, who seemed unbothered. "Don't worry, Yuto. It's fine."
Kenzo rolled up his sleeve and allowed Voidron to take his blood.
Later, Voidron stood on the palace rooftop, staring at the vial in his hand. A wicked grin spread across his face as he boarded his UFO.
"Thanks for your blood… HAHAHAHAHA!"
---
[A Grand Celebration]
Back in the palace, King Astral addressed the group. "Thank you, Astral Union, for your efforts."
Ayame shook her head. "No, Your Majesty, this was our mission."
Kenzo, Yuto, and Kiyomi nodded in agreement.
Princess Rose smiled. "Then let's celebrate. Tonight, we have a grand feast!"
The castle was soon filled with lights and decorations as everyone prepared for the victory party.
Kenzo eagerly took a bite of his meal. "This chicken is amazing."
Yuto smirked. "Try this one. It's even better."
---
[Meanwhile: Novaera Universe]
Voidron stood alone in a dark chamber, his hands clenched. "Next time, Kenzo… Infernal Signet owner… I will destroy you."
---
[Demon Castle: Awakening of Raijin]
The Super Demon Lord stared at a massive stone tablet.
"Don't worry, Super Demon Lord Ultra… Soon, you will awaken."
---
[The Black Sun]
Back at the party, laughter and music filled the air.
Yuto leaned back, his eyes scanning the crowd. (Hmm… which girl here has the biggest—)
Before he could finish his thought, Kenzo's Infernal Signet ring started glowing. His expression turned serious.
Suddenly, the sun's color changed to black.
Gasps filled the castle.
"What's happening?!" someone shouted.
Kenzo's ring glowed brighter, pulsing with purple energy. His vision blurred, and in that instant, he saw it—a massive stone hurtling toward Earth.
His fists tightened. "Something's coming."
Up in the blackened sky, a dark figure emerged, its body silhouetted by an ominous aura. Behind it, a massive UFO loomed.
To Be Continued…