Thirteen years ago, in the serene town of Meryland, five-year-old Ryuji Kurogami was deeply engrossed in playing with an insect in their garden. The innocence of youth enveloped him as he watched the tiny creature scuttle across the blades of grass. Suddenly, a familiar voice broke through his concentration.
"Ryuji, come here!" his father called.
"Coming, father!" Ryuji responded, leaving his new friend behind. As he approached the house, he saw a woman standing beside his father, a young girl clinging to her hand.
"Come here, Ryuji, and introduce yourself to Mrs. Mikazuki and her daughter," his father instructed.
Ryuji nodded, his small frame standing tall as he approached them. "Y-yes! Hello, my name is Ryuji Kurogami. And yours?"
The girl, shy and slightly hiding behind her mother, stammered, "I-it's Shion! Shion Mikazuki!"Mrs. Mikazuki smiled warmly. "What a nice child you have, Mr. Kurogami."
Ryuji's father laughed heartily. "Haha, I guess so! And yes, Ryuji, from now on, they are going to be our neighbors. So make sure to get along, okay?"
Ryuji beamed at Shion. "Let's get along, Shion, right?"
Shion, taken aback by Ryuji's smile, blushed and replied softly, "Y-yes!"
"It was the first time I met Shion. Brown hair, emerald eyes, a small mouth, and a cute face. I guess at that time, I was acting brave, but I fell for her the moment I saw her. It was love at first sight. I always had fun playing with her, and watching her smile was the best thing I could ever see. We always visited each other's houses and even slept together as kids, holding hands.
"She never confessed her feelings directly, but I could tell she loved me as well. When we were around sixteen, she told me she was joining the Samurai Academy to serve the Demon army and fight against threats to the Demon Lord. She never revealed why she wanted to become a samurai; maybe she didn't trust me enough. But before leaving, she told me that when she returned from the Demon army, after becoming powerful enough to protect her loved ones, she wanted us to marry.
"I didn't care about the samurai life. I wanted a peaceful existence in our village, away from conflict. But fate had other plans. When my father was killed by demons, I was confused. Why would demons kill us, their citizens? I was attacked by Kuro and fell unconscious. When I woke up, I forgot the incident, as if someone had tampered with my memories. It wasn't until Haruto's probing questions that I remembered almost everything, except the faces of the demons who killed my father. I remembered there were three demons, but their identities eluded me.
"And now, my heart has been pierced, and I've lost too much blood. This is the end for me. I never discovered the culprits behind my father's murder." Tears rolled down Ryuji's face as he felt his life slipping away.
"Where did I go wrong? Father, I'm... I'm sorry. I... I don't want to die. I-- I want to kill them!"A mysterious voice echoed in his mind, "You. You want revenge? I can't help you much because of Kuro, but I will make sure you won't die. Not yet! I will heal your heart and, take this instead of that useless katana! Kuro! Help him! It's not my time yet!"
Kuro responded, "Understood!" A sword, black with purple flames, appeared in his hand. As Kuro's power surged through it, the flames turned crimson, and the hole in his chest healed.While , the battlefield was an expanse of chaos, filled with the clashing of blades and the cries of warriors. Amidst the turmoil stood Ryuji, transformed by the demonic power within him. His new sword, engulfed in crimson flames, radiated an otherworldly aura. Across from him, Maximus, a warrior with the power to manipulate speed.
Maximus looks to Shion and says, "Hey! Shion. This brat was fighting against us! He was with the Kurei-Kage. What I did isn't wrong. Forget about him. You have m--" Maximus's arm flying in the air, he is confused then suddenly saw Ryuji with raged eyes, standing with a sword and already cuts his arm. Maximus says, "You're alive? It is not possible!" Ryuji says, "Shut up!" and charges towards him.
Maximus glared at Ryuji, rage burning in his eyes. "You think you can defeat me? Even with one hand, I can still crush you."
Ryuji tightened his grip on his flaming sword. "Let's see you try," he replied, his voice a mix of determination and fury.
Maximus moved first, his speed manipulation turning him into a blur. He closed the distance between them in an instant, his remaining hand wielding his katana with deadly precision. Ryuji, his senses heightened by his new form, parried the strike with ease, the impact sending sparks flying.
The two warriors exchanged blows at blinding speed, their movements a flurry of steel and fire. Maximus' speed manipulation allowed him to dodge and strike with incredible agility, but Ryuji's enhanced reflexes and the power of his sword matched him step for step.
Maximus attempted to disorient Ryuji by manipulating the speed around them, creating pockets of slowed and accelerated time. However, Ryuji adapted quickly, his demonic senses allowing him to navigate the distortions with ease.
With a roar, Ryuji unleashed a powerful strike, his sword blazing with crimson flames. Maximus barely managed to dodge, the heat singing his skin. Seizing the opportunity, Ryuji pressed the attack, his strikes becoming more relentless and precise.
Maximus, realizing he was being pushed back, tried to create more distance between them. He manipulated his speed, darting away and launching a series of rapid, long-range attacks. Ryuji deflected each one, his eyes never leaving his opponent.
"You can't run forever," Ryuji growled, his voice echoing with demonic resonance. Maximus, panting heavily, gritted his teeth. "I don't need to run," he spat, launching himself at Ryuji with renewed ferocity.
The final clash was inevitable. Ryuji's sword met Maximus' katana in a devastating blow, the force of their collision shaking the ground beneath them. For a moment, they were locked in a stalemate, their eyes locked in a fierce glare.
With a sudden surge of power, Ryuji pushed forward, breaking the deadlock. He swung his sword in a wide arc, the flames trailing behind like a comet. Maximus, caught off guard, tried to parry but was too slow. The blade sliced through his defense, cutting deep into his remaining arm and chest.
Maximus staggered back, blood pouring from his wounds. "Impossible," he muttered, his strength fading.
Ryuji stepped forward, his sword still ablaze. "This is the end for you," he said coldly.
As Ryuji was about to kill Maximus, Shion blocks Ryuji's blade and pushes him back. Ryuji shocked and said, "What are you doing here?" Shion replies, "That's exactly I wanted to know. Why are you against the Demon lord, with the Kurei-Kage? Why? I heard you joined Samurai Academy, then why?"
Ryuji, not feeling the urge to explain the situation, replies, "Shion! You won't understand. I guess we can't ever be together. Not in this life" while turning his head up, it was raining and the rain pours heavily, hiding the tears of Ryuji as it pours.
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