ARC II — "THE FALL OF THE FALSE GODS"
The battlefield had turned into a shattered wasteland. Smoke and fire stretched across the horizon, mixing with the dark clouds above. Even the rain seemed afraid to fall.
Kurotsume stood amidst the ruins, aura coiling faintly, silver flames licking the air like hungry serpents. He didn't flinch. He didn't speak. He simply waited.
From the sky, massive warships descended — faster, heavier, more disciplined than before. This was no ordinary wave of soldiers; these were Vorak's strongest generals, each handpicked to test Kurotsume.
"Impressive,"* the demon whispered, voice low in his mind.*
"They finally brought their real toys."
Kurotsume's eyes narrowed slightly, not in fear — only interest.
"Good," he said quietly. "I was getting bored."
The first general landed — Kaelith, a towering figure clad in black-and-red armor, claws glowing with molten energy. His aura radiated power, every step cracking the ground beneath him.
"So this is the human anomaly,"* Kaelith said, voice mechanical yet dripping malice.* "Vorak said you were dangerous. I see now he wasn't lying."
Kurotsume tilted his head lazily. "You brought all of them?"
Kaelith smirked. "Just enough to keep you entertained."
The second general arrived — Lutharion, his body more machine than flesh, with arms ending in massive energy blades. He grinned, revealing jagged teeth. "I hope this one lasts longer than the last."
Kurotsume flexed his fingers once. Aura coalesced around his body, distorting the rain and smoke. "They won't."
In a single motion, Kurotsume moved. Not fast, not hurried — effortless.
Kaelith swung first. Claws tore through the air. Kurotsume raised one hand; the aura flared. Energy met energy, and the strike disintegrated in a flash of silver light, leaving a crater in its place.
Lutharion charged from the side, swinging both blades. Kurotsume sidestepped lazily. Not running — dancing around them. Each movement precise, controlled, a predator toying with prey.
"You really don't care, do you?"* the demon asked, amused.*
"Why should I?" Kurotsume replied softly. "They're all the same."
Kaelith growled and leapt, claws igniting with molten energy. The ground shook violently.
Kurotsume raised both hands now. The aura expanded — warping space subtly, bending light and shadow around him. When Kaelith landed, he fell into a void Kurotsume created, as if the earth had swallowed him whole.
Lutharion's eyes widened. "Impossible!"
Kurotsume's voice echoed coldly across the battlefield.
"You think strength alone scares me?"
From above, more generals descended — seven in total, each with unique abilities far deadlier than the last.
Siel watched from afar, clutching her weapon tightly. "He can't keep this up forever…" she whispered.
Kurotsume glanced briefly toward her. Aura flickering faintly, he smirked.
"Maybe I don't have to."
The demon stirred inside his mind.
"Do you feel it? The fragment… the hidden power? It's stirring. He's ready."
Kurotsume's eyes gleamed faintly, just a hint of something deeper awakening beneath the calm surface — a foreshadowing of a power yet to come.
Vorak's voice boomed across the battlefield. "Enough games, Kurotsume. If you survive this, perhaps then you'll see your true enemy."
Kurotsume's smirk widened. "I'm already seeing him."
The generals charged again — faster, more coordinated. Energy and steel tore through the rain.
Kurotsume didn't move. He was the eye of the storm, calm, indifferent, untouchable. Aura flared violently, warping the battlefield, erasing attacks midair.
Siel's jaw dropped. "He's… he's untouchable…"
"Not untouchable,"* the demon whispered, voice deep and thrilled.* "He's evolution."
Lightning struck the ruined valley, illuminating Kurotsume's calm figure amidst chaos. The first wave of Vorak's elite army was decimated, yet the battle had only begun.
The real war was just starting — and Kurotsume had already begun awakening to what lay beyond even his current limits.