Chapter 21 — New Fire, New Shadow
Inside the cave, the air stood still. Just before Takiyu's strike landed, a resonating voice echoed — sharp, deep, and filled with unseen power.
"Stop."
Takiyu's eyes widened, his black energy freezing mid-air. Yusugo, who was about to collapse, looked up with labored breaths.
At the edge of the cave stood three figures — Bokuro, Kitsui, and Nensudo. Their faces were smeared with dust and blood, but their eyes burned with fire.
Stepping forward, Bokuro said, "We have finished off Kayru. Now it's your turn."
Takiyu let out a loud laugh, "Oh! So the children have brought down my man? Such confidence! But didn't Yusugo tell you? I'm an S-level Scriptor. Worms like you can't even touch me."
Yusugo, trembling, shouted, "Bokuro, run! You can't win!"
Bokuro's fists clenched. Flames flickered in his eyes. "So what if he's S-level? I don't even know what that means… I just know I have to kill him."
Takiyu squinted and grinned, "Wow! What a declaration. Fine then, the other two — the girl and the boy — step aside. This fight is now just between me and this kid."
Kitsui, in a serious tone, looked at Bokuro, "Bokuro… be careful."
Nensudo quietly nodded, worry filling his eyes.
Takiyu and Bokuro stood face to face. Two flames, ready to collide.
---
Scene shift — In the palace
Team Kaji's battle against Era and Hyugi had become fierce. Blood stained the stone floors of the court, and walls had crumbled. Rohime's shield was cracked, and his body wounded.
Era, floating in the air, struck like lightning. Her moves were so fast that Team Kaji's warriors couldn't even block. Her eyes gleamed blood-red, each attack filled with hatred and cruelty.
Hyugi, now free from chains, roared ferociously, spinning his iron chains. Every strike shattered walls, and one by one, Team Kaji's warriors fell.
Even while wounded, Rohime raised his sword and shouted, "We haven't lost yet! Rise, comrades!"
But Era lunged at him, knocking his sword into the air in an instant. She whispered, "You're nothing but insects."
Team Kaji now stood at the brink of defeat. Their faces showed exhaustion and despair, but a flicker of struggle still burned in their eyes.
---
Scene shift — In the hospital
Otoki, carrying Hina and Rina on his shoulders, looked out of the hospital window. Regret weighed on his heart.
"I… I couldn't save you."
Then his eyes caught the street scene. People were shouting — the king's execution had been announced.
Otoki's heart shuddered. "No… this is a lie…"
He ran, placing Hina and Rina in a safe room. His breaths grew heavier.
As he approached the palace, a mysterious woman blocked his path — black hair, black clothes, and eyes filled with darkness — Rufia.
Rufia said, "You're Otoki, right? Your death time has come."
Otoki drew out his script from his waist, bracing his body for battle. "You serve Kazan Kaga… then today, I'll dig your grave."
The battle was fierce. Rufia's black flames clashed with Otoki's blue energy. Rocks cracked, roads broke apart. Rufia struck repeatedly from the air, but with a roar, Otoki tore through her attack.
Finally, Otoki shattered her script and brought her down to the ground. Panting, he said, "One more darkness erased."
---
Back at the palace
Team Kaji was almost ready to surrender. Rohime had fallen to his knees, and Era and Hyugi were about to finish them.
At that moment, Otoki arrived. Fire blazed in his eyes. He saw Hyugi now free and a new enemy called Era standing tall.
Otoki opened his script. With trembling hands, he wrote:
Revive
The glowing words changed the air around them. New energy surged through the wounded bodies of Team Kaji's warriors. Rohime's eyes lit up.
"Once more… we fight!"
---
Scene shift — Final battle in the cave
Bokuro was now drenched in blood. For half an hour, he had been enduring Takiyu's strikes. His breaths were ragged, his knees unsteady.
Takiyu laughed at his condition, "What an your struggle is. Bravo… but now it's over."
He prepared his final move. A massive vortex of black energy formed in his hands.
Kitsui and Nensudo screamed, "Bokuro! Get away!"
But Bokuro stood firm, swaying but unyielding. His eyes still burned.
Takiyu lunged, "Die, kid!"
But suddenly, a flash like lightning cut through the air. In the next moment, Takiyu's body split into two and collapsed. Drops of blood floated in the air.
A smile lingered on Takiyu's face, "What an anthem this was… haha…"