Beneath the ashes of the fallen, a storm stirred—and it remembered everything.
The rain had just started when Amelia stepped into the city streets, her hood drawn low. Pavement slick with water, shadows thick in the alleys—something felt off. Her crimson eyes darted side to side.
She wasn't scared. She was the Sin of Lust. Her charm could shatter wills, and her presence alone made people weak in the knees. But tonight? Tonight was different.
A whisper drifted on the wind.
"You've been careless, Amelia."
She spun around, magic already rising in her chest, her aura wrapping around her like silk and smoke. But the man who stepped out of the shadows didn't even blink. Cloaked in black, violet eyes glowing—he looked like a problem.
"I don't remember inviting you for a walk," she said, forcing a smirk.
He tilted his head. "You Sins always think you're running the game. But this time? You're the target."
Figures stepped out all around her. Five. Maybe more. Too many.
Amelia backed up. "Tch. Should've brought more."
She moved first. Her aura flared out—dazzling, overwhelming, designed to make weak minds crumble. But they weren't weak. The first attacker was already on her. She dodged—barely. Another grabbed her wrist. She twisted free—then sharp pain lit up her shoulder. A needle.
Her vision swam. Limbs heavy.
Poison.
She staggered, tried to conjure her power again, but the world tilted sideways. A hand grabbed her chin, forcing her to look up.
"Impressive," the man said, his tone almost amused. "But you rely on that power too much."
She couldn't answer. Her body wouldn't listen. And then—
Darkness.
Back at camp, Satoshi couldn't shake the feeling. The tension hadn't left since the last battle. Camila was the same—eyes sharp, every muscle ready. Something was wrong.
They weren't the only ones on edge. Survivors patched themselves up, shared what little they had, kept watch. But it was quiet. Too quiet.
Then came the scream.
Satoshi and Camila rushed toward it. An older man—Elias—was holding his arm, blood dripping. Eyes wild.
"He... he tried to kill me!" he said, pointing.
There—at the edge of the clearing—stood Lorin. One of the newer survivors. Seemed normal. Quiet. Harmless.
Until now.
Satoshi stepped forward. "Lorin. What the hell is this?"
Lorin just smirked, eyes flashing with something cold. "You're fast. But not fast enough."
Camila's stomach dropped. The air was wrong. Then it hit her—a dark aura, thick and oily.
"Dark Clans," she growled.
Lorin chuckled. "Did you think they'd let you wander around without someone watching?"
Satoshi's fists clenched. "Where's Amelia?"
"Alive. For now."
Camila stopped him before he could move. They needed more.
"What do you want?"
"It's not me. It's Rael."
That name snapped Satoshi's patience. He lunged.
Lorin didn't stand a chance. One punch and he flew, smashed into a tree. But even as he coughed up blood, he laughed.
"Okay," he said, wiping his lip. "Let's play."
He vanished in a flash of black energy—then reappeared behind Satoshi, a strike aimed at his spine. Camila shouted—Satoshi ducked, countering with a spinning kick. Lorin dodged, skimming the dirt.
Lorin flipped into the air, tendrils of black energy wrapping his arms. He slashed—jagged dark blades flying. Satoshi sidestepped just in time.
Camila was already moving, sword drawn. Their blades clashed. Lorin danced between her strikes, mocking grin still on his face.
"You're fun," he said. "No wonder Rael's interested."
Camila's eyes narrowed. "You're not leaving."
"Don't have to."
Then—he was gone. Disappeared into the dark.
Satoshi made to chase—but Camila grabbed his arm.
"No. It's a trap."
He growled, frustrated—but she was right.
One of their own had been a spy. And now Amelia was gone.
They had to move. Fast.
Later that night, the fire crackled low. Camila sat across from Satoshi, sword in hand, eyes on the flames. He paced, every step tighter than the last.
"We're running out of time," he said.
"Then don't waste any more of it being stupid," she snapped. "We do this smart. Or not at all."
He stopped, sighed. "Alright. What's the plan?"
She rolled out a hand-drawn map. "Manor's at the edge of the city. Guards all over. But there's an escape tunnel underneath. Lightly guarded. I'll take it."
"And me?"
"Go loud. Pull them off."
Satoshi grinned. "Now we're talking."
"And if Amelia's too weak to move?"
His face turned serious. "I'll carry her."
"Good."
They sat in silence for a beat.
Then Satoshi muttered, "They're gonna regret touching her."
Camila nodded. "Every last one."
The manor's tavern stank of booze and blood. Shadows danced across warped walls. Somewhere near the back, Jake sat alone, drink in hand, watching everything.
Then—he noticed.
Satoshi.
Jake didn't look. Just smirked. "Staring that hard? Might think you've got a crush."
Satoshi approached, no smile. "Just wondering if now's a good time to kill you."
Jake finally turned. Calm. Lazy. Deadly. "Always this friendly with strangers?"
"Strangers don't smell like death and broken genes."
Jake chuckled, taking a sip. "And you've got power you don't know how to use."
Silence stretched.
"You're in my way," Satoshi said.
"Funny. I was about to say the same thing."
The table cracked as Satoshi struck first. Jake dodged, sliding back in one clean, unnatural motion. The tavern exploded into chaos as chairs flew and demons scattered.
Only two stayed locked in place.
Satoshi.
Jake.
And neither of them planned to lose.