Sakiya Aikawa was a girl with tragedy flowing through her veins and fury muted beneath her skin. She was living proof that a shattered heart could still beat. She had spent her entire life chasing one purpose after another. She was not born strong...
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Sakiya and Mitsuri raced through the dense forest, their figures streaking like flashes of violet and pink between the trees. Sakiya's senses locked onto the quivering pulse of Kokushibo's spirit energy—still surging, still clashing violently with Hantengu's. If anything, it was intensifying. His fury was unmistakable. Whatever was unfolding between the two demons was infuriating Kokushibo enough to break through his usual controlled exterior.
"Mitsuri, be careful. I don't know exactly what's going on, but Kokushibo is enraged—and I can't promise he'll be mindful of anyone but me. Keep your distance when engaging Upper Moon Four."
Mitsuri swallowed hard and nodded. She wasn't sure if Kokushibo posed a threat to her. His actions had been confusing—earlier, he'd shielded her, but that could have easily been because Sakiya was present. His concern seemed to extend only to the violet-haired girl, and while Mitsuri understood that connection instinctively, it made her hesitant to rely on him in a fight. Especially now, with Sakiya's warning ringing in her ears. Still, despite the unease fluttering in her chest, she trusted Sakiya completely. If Sakiya believed there was any real danger from him, she wouldn't have brought Mitsuri with her at all.
A deafening crack suddenly split the air ahead of them as another massive wooden head tore through the treetops, charging straight at them. Mitsuri leapt high, her whip-like blade coiling and slicing tightly around the thick neck of the wooden serpent. Below, Sakiya slid effortlessly beneath the beast, her blade raised. The two of them cut clean through the monster's neck in a seamless, synchronized strike. Sakiya spun on her knees just in time to watch lightning flicker and snap along the severed stump, surging back toward its source. Mitsuri landed lightly on the far side of the dragon's remains, meeting Sakiya's gaze with focused intensity. Without pause, the pair resumed their run—dodging, striking, weaving between fresh onslaughts as more wooden dragons tore through the forest to meet them.
Kokushibo growled where he stood, his presence towering and still. Across from him, Zohakuten hurled venom-laced taunts with each breath, his voice sharp and mocking.
"You were the highest among us. The favored. And now you grovel for a girl who bleeds like the rest of them?" he sneered, his expression twisted with disgust as the words left his clenched teeth.
