Demon Eyes

Chapter 4: Fiery passion, lurking darkness

The orange glow of fire fills the downtown of Kawazumi. Noreyu looks over the scene from the rooftops, taking in the aftermath of the battle.

Blood and destruction surround the wrecked bridge on which his friends fought desperately to defeat a monster. The smell of sulphur hangs in the air as a brigade of firemen fights to extinguish the flames born of Fumito's onslaught of burning punches.

Noreyu drops down onto the destroyed street, creating a current below his feet that pushes him upwards just before he touches down for a safe landing.

As he gets closer to the scene, the heat in the air begins to feel oppressive. Still, he continues, until he stands next to someone in a police uniform.

"Yo, Masako! I'm here!" Noreyu calls out, looking at the policewoman.
The one standing next to him is Masako Hata, the chief of police in Kawazumi. A golden badge on her forest green uniform and the large 375-magnum revolver on her hip signify her rank. Only the most trusted and capable officers are entrusted with one of these, as they are among the strongest firearms in existance.

"It's good to see you, Noreyu. I hoped you'd come," Masako's worried face softens slightly at Noreyu's arrival. She steps to the side, letting Noreyu take in the whole picture of the destruction.
"So Takuan did all this? Really?" Noreyu's eyes wander across his wrecked surroundings.

"She did," Masako responds hesitantly. "Who else in Kawazumi could cause this much destruction?"
"Me, for example." Noreyu takes a step forward, inspecting the debris on the street. As his eye scans the rubble, faint white swirls of energy become visible around the area. "There are traces of Light energy... So it really is her, huh?"

Masako walks in front of Noreyu, blocking his view of the bridge. She turns towards him with a serious expression. "I know you're trying to protect her, but this is getting out of hand. According to an eyewitness, two kids who tried to fight her got killed in an explosion. No traces of them have been found."
"Fumito and Hirisu?" Noreyu thinks, looking past Masako. "That explains the flames."

Despite the nature of this information, Noreyu seems calm, almost relieved.
"I get what you're saying, Masako," he says. "But Takuan's not at fault for this."

"I know!" Masako almost yells, clenching her fist. "But as frustrating as it is, she's the one who caused this destruction! We can't let her go free!"
Noreyu shakes his head, looking at Masako with a hint of annoyance. "I've told you many times. I'll find a way to control that monster inside her. I promise."

Masako, clearly losing her temper, throws a punch towards Noreyu's face. He effortlessly dodges the attack by moving his head to the side.
"You've been saying that for, what, half a year now?" Masako shouts. "Every fucking week, we have to clean up a mess like this! It's a miracle that this is the only time someone died!"

Noreyu slowly pushes Masako's outstretched arm away, staring into her eyes. His vision is distorted by the heat.
"Nobody died today either. I can guarantee that."

Her frustration brewing even more, Masako tries to say something, but Noreyu interrupts.
"Give me one more chance, Masako. I promise you, that thing, Lightside, won't hurt anyone again."
"What's one more chance gonna do?" Masako yells. "Why do I have to rely on your empty promises?"

"Because you have no other choice."

Noreyu's Demon Eye flares up as he looks at Masako for one more second. The only sound is the crackling of the flames. Sweat runs down both of their faces. Noreyu turns, breaking the stare, and rushes off towards the bridge.

A few minutes earlier, right after the battle, Hirisu is tending to Fumito's wounds. They're both still under the bridge where they fought the girl.