Auransa rose from the rubble, dust sliding down his cloak.
Across from him, Orimo stood hunched forward — body torn, bloodied — yet grinning, laughing like the battle itself was a gift.
Auransa (breathing heavy):
"You're a tough one… fine. I'll unleash my ultimate. If you survive this… then you're something inhuman."
His grip tightened.
A deep red aura swirled, like the air itself was bleeding.
Auransa's eyes sharpened.
A twisted smile curled across his face.
Auransa:
"This is it… Lunaris Draw."
SWISH—
A slash faster than thought.
The buildings behind Orimo split cleanly and collapsed like sliced paper.
Silence.
Auransa:
"...Heh. Must've flown to the horizon."
But—
Hands gripped his shoulders.
Orimo (laughing softly, close to his ear):
"Behind you."
Auransa (startled):
"What—!"
THUD—!
Orimo's heel cracks across Auransa's skull, sending him crashing to the ground.
But Auransa forces himself back up immediately, veins bulging, refusing to fall.
Then—
Smoke begins to coil violently around Orimo's body.
His grin twitches.
He coughs—
A spray of dark blood hits the ground.
Orimo drops to his knees.
Orimo:
"Gh—What… what happened…?"
Ryuki rushes in, sliding beside him.
Ryuki (quiet, steady):
"Nothing happened. You just pushed too far."
Auransa wipes blood from his mouth, glaring.
Auransa:
"Why come here? What do you want from us!?"
Orimo raises his head, eyes still wild — but focused.
Orimo:
"You. Letting the poor rot. Watching families starve. Denying treatment. All while sitting in your 'beautiful' city."
His voice shakes with fury.
"Doesn't it disgust you?"
Auransa scoffs — defensive, anger masking hesitation.
Auransa:
"Treatment costs money. And they have none."
Orimo's voice cuts sharp.
Orimo:
"They aren't even given work. You strip them of everything and then blame them for having nothing."
Auransa freezes.
A small silence.
An uncomfortable silence.
Auransa (lower… unsure):
"…My bad. I… never noticed all of that. You're right."
Wind blows.
The city watches.
Something shifts.
Not victory.
Not peace.
The beginning of change.