The sky turned red before the screaming began.
Ren Akihara stood on the rooftop of his school, staring at the moon as it slowly darkened. A strange pressure filled the air, like the world itself was holding its breath.
Then—
Crack.
The sound echoed across the city.
The moon split with a line of crimson light.
Suddenly, shadows began crawling up the walls of buildings. People below froze as black creatures with glowing eyes emerged from thin air.
"Spirits…" Ren whispered.
But these weren't normal spirits.
They were demons.
A massive creature landed in front of him, shattering concrete. Its body twisted like smoke wrapped in bone.
"Found you," it growled. "Heir of the Spirit Blade."
Ren's heart stopped.
Heir?
Before he could speak, the creature lunged.
And something inside Ren snapped.
A burning pain surged through his veins. Red symbols flared across his arm. Flames—crimson and wild—exploded from his hand.
In that moment…
The last Spirit Blade awakened.