-New beginnings- BOOK 1: THE ORIGIN OF DARKNESS

-CHAPTER 13: CHAINS OF DESTINY-

The curse roared, its form twisting and expanding as it unleashed a torrent of cursed energy. The ground beneath them cracked, shadows spiraling into chaos as the oppressive force filled the narrow street.

"You think this is over?" it sneered, its voice a distorted cacophony. "You've only delayed the inevitable."

Nobara clicked her tongue in annoyance, slamming another nail into the ground. "Shut up already!" Her Straw Doll technique connected with the curse, driving a sharp burst of energy through its writhing limbs. It let out an anguished cry but quickly reformed, its body now flickering like static on a broken screen.

Fushiguro staggered, leaning on his blade for support. His vision blurred, but he could feel it—the curse was far from done. "It's feeding off something," he rasped, his voice strained. "We need to disrupt its source."

Itadori glanced over, his fists glowing with cursed energy. "Got any bright ideas? Because I don't think punching it harder is working."

Nobara rolled her eyes. "When does punching ever solve anything?"

"Plenty of times!" Itadori shot back, his frustration evident.

Fushiguro ignored their banter, his mind racing. The town. The isolation. The way the curse seemed to grow stronger the more they fought. His thoughts coalesced into a single realization. "It's tied to this place," he said, forcing himself to stand. "The longer we stay, the stronger it gets."

"So, what?" Nobara asked, driving another nail into the curse's form. "We just run?"

"No," Fushiguro replied, his voice firm. "We draw it out. Away from its anchor."

The curse laughed, its voice dripping with malice. "You think I'll just follow you? You're barely standing."

Fushiguro smirked, summoning Nue one more time. The Shikigami crackled with energy as it dove toward the curse, forcing it back. "You don't have a choice."

Nobara and Itadori exchanged a glance. "You heard him," Nobara said, her tone begrudgingly respectful. "We're moving."

Itadori nodded, his expression determined. "Lead the way, Fushiguro."

The three of them began their retreat, their attacks coordinated to keep the curse at bay. Each strike was deliberate, forcing the creature to move step by step out of the town's cursed influence. As they neared the outskirts, the oppressive energy began to wane, and Fushiguro could feel his own strength returning, albeit slowly.

But the curse wasn't done yet. With a guttural roar, it shed its humanoid form entirely, transforming into a massive, amorphous shadow that towered over them. Its voice echoed like thunder. "You cannot escape destiny!"

"Destiny, my ass," Itadori muttered, launching himself into the air. His fist collided with the curse's center, sending shockwaves through the surrounding area. Nobara followed up, her nails piercing its limbs, anchoring it in place.

Fushiguro saw his chance. Channeling every ounce of energy he had left, he extended his shadows, wrapping them around the curse like chains. "Now!" he shouted.

Nobara and Itadori didn't hesitate. Together, they unleashed a synchronized attack—Itadori's Black Flash striking the curse's core while Nobara's Straw Doll technique delivered the final blow. The curse let out a deafening shriek as its form disintegrated, its cursed energy dissipating into the night.

Silence followed, broken only by the sound of their labored breathing.

"Is it... over?" Itadori asked, his voice cautious.

Fushiguro didn't respond immediately. He scanned the area, his shadows flickering as he searched for any lingering trace of the curse. Finally, he nodded. "For now."

Nobara let out a long sigh, collapsing onto a nearby broken wall. "Next time, how about you don't try to solo something like this?"

Fushiguro gave a faint smile, the weight of exhaustion evident in his posture. "Noted."

Itadori grinned, clapping him on the back. "You're lucky we showed up when we did."

Fushiguro winced but didn't pull away. "Yeah... thanks."

As they prepared to head back, Gojo appeared in his usual carefree manner, leaning casually against a nearby lamppost. "Looks like you had fun," he said, his tone light but his eyes sharp. "Good teamwork, by the way."

Nobara rolled her eyes. "You could've helped, you know."

Gojo shrugged. "But then how would you grow?"

Fushiguro frowned. "You knew it was dangerous."

Gojo's smile didn't waver. "And I knew you could handle it. Besides..." His expression darkened ever so slightly. "This wasn't just a random curse. It's part of something bigger. Something we'll need to be ready for."

The words hung heavy in the air as the group began their trek back to Jujutsu High. Behind them, the ruins of the town were eerily quiet, but Fushiguro couldn't shake the feeling that the shadows were still watching.

And somewhere far away, the unseen figure smiled again.