The purple flames around Kaien slowly faded, but his heart was still racing. His body felt lighter, faster, stronger than ever before. Yet, inside, a heavy presence pulsed—like another soul was breathing within him.
He clenched his fists.
The fire answered.
Dark purple flames erupted, wrapping his arms in a burning aura.
> Kaien (thinking):
"So… this is Shadow's power… inside me."
Suddenly, a roar echoed through the ruins of the ancient city.
From the shattered gates, a B-class demon emerged. Its body was huge, covered in armored scales, with horns like spears. Its crimson eyes locked onto Kaien.
The demon grinned.
"You… human. You carry his power."
Kaien stepped back. His body trembled—not from fear, but from rage. The memory of his family's screams burned in his mind.
The demon charged. The ground shook.
Kaien instinctively raised his hand.
A blast of dark fire exploded out, slamming into the demon's chest. The creature howled in pain, half of its armor burned away.
Kaien's eyes widened.
He hadn't even tried—and the fire obeyed.
But the demon wasn't done. It lunged forward, swinging its claw like a blade.
Kaien barely dodged, the claw slicing across his arm. Pain shot through him. Blood dripped.
Then, inside his mind… a voice whispered. Deep, ancient, powerful.
> Shadow :
"Pathetic. Is this how you plan to survive? Weak… trembling… You will die like this."
Kaien gasped.
"Who's there…?"
SHADOW laughed.
> Shadow:
"I am you now. You are my vessel. My blood. My flame. Use me—or be consumed."
The demon roared again, charging for the kill.
Kaien gritted his teeth. His blood boiled.
"I won't die here… not yet!"
The flames surged. His right arm transformed into a dragon's claw made of black fire, glowing with destructive energy.
With a single slash, Kaien tore through the demon's chest.
The creature froze, then collapsed, its body crumbling into ash.
Kaien stood, panting, his arm slowly returning to human form. The purple flames around him flickered before dying out.
Silence returned to the ruined city.
Kaien looked at his hands.
He was horrified… and yet, deep inside, a part of him felt alive.
Then the voice spoke again, calm and cold.
> Shadow:
"Remember this, boy. The more you fight, the stronger we become. But beware… the sword still exists. The Yokara Blade… If it touches us, both you and I… are finished."
Kaien's fists clenched. His heart ached as the memory of his family flashed again.
"I don't care… demons, kings, gods—whoever is behind this. I'll kill them all."
Far away, in the demon realm, the Demon King opened his glowing eyes.
Beside him, the Demon Prince knelt.
> Demon Prince:
"Father… the Shadow has returned."
The Demon King's voice rumbled like thunder.
> Demon King:
"Then the war… begins again."
---
Chapter - 2
ToBeContinue