Steps Toward the End

They were ready for battle, equipped with the finest armor and weapons, prepared to face the dangers that awaited them. Alongside Mizuki, Kuragane, and Raizen, the elves marched determinedly toward the fortress. At the edge of the forest, when the massive silhouette of the fortress walls became visible, Zartham, the elven leader, stopped and gave the command:

— Stop here! Soldiers, prepare the sleeping powder!

With precise movements, the elves pulled small pouches of fine powder from their bags and blew them forcefully toward the fortress walls. The wind carried the powder over the structure, and the demons guarding the fortress fell into a deep sleep, unaware of what was happening.

— Now! Fire the arrows! — shouted Zartham, raising his hand. Dozens of arrows flew through the air and pierced the demons’ hearts, eliminating them without resistance.

— Hey, so far so good, said Kuragane with a smirk, proud of their success.

— Let’s hope it stays that way until the end, replied Mizuki, her eyes filled with determination.

— Alright, let’s move out! — added Lyra, rising. Together with the elves, Raizen and Kuragane lifted into the air, carried by the elves’ magic that allowed them to fly.

— It's beautiful from up here! said Raizen, amazed by the view stretching out before them. Everything seemed peaceful and still.

Lyra, holding him with one hand, asked:

— But you… why can’t you fly, if you’re a demon?

Raizen looked at her with a slightly sad expression.

— I don’t know. Maybe because my mother was human. I didn’t inherit the wings, although I sometimes feel connected to the demon world.

Their journey was nearing its end. They landed in the courtyard of the fortress, unaware that a demon was watching them from the shadows. The moment their feet touched the cold ground of the fortress, the demon blew into a horn, signaling the attack. In less than a second, dozens of demons began pouring out from every corner of the fortress: through doors, windows, even cracks in the walls. Panic was evident.

— Do not fear and don’t panic! shouted Zartham with a strong voice. Split into two groups! Let’s help the heroes get into the fortress!

The demons hurled orbs of black magic, while the elves defended themselves with tree roots sprouting from the ground, countering the attacks with arrows and magic. It was a fierce battle, every moment a fight for survival.

— Lyra and I will go find General Zorak or whatever his name is! said Raizen, but a wave of demons rose before them, blocking the way. Mizuki, calm as always, fired ten explosive arrows that tore through the air and destroyed nearly all the demons in front of them. The remaining ones stood no chance as Kuragane struck with his massive sword, cutting them down on the spot.

— Go ahead, we’ll hold them off! said Mizuki with a determined look.

— Thank you, Raizen replied with a quick smile. I owe you one! Then, together with Lyra, he ran toward the fortress gates.

— Go on, we’ll hold them! shouted Kuragane, and with a powerful strike, he shattered the massive iron gate.

Raizen and Lyra entered the fortress, but outside, the demons swarmed the elves, who defended themselves as best they could. The battle was growing fiercer, and the elves were struggling to hold their ground.

— Chief, excuse us, but we must go inside the fortress. Will you be alright here? asked Kuragane, catching his breath between attacks.

— We’ll manage, go, they need you more than we do, replied Zartham as he struck down three demons with a swift blow.

Mizuki and Kuragane, fighting fiercely, made their way toward the fortress gate, and with one final effort, they managed to enter as well.

— Come on, hurry! shouted Mizuki, her heart pounding, worried for their friends.

Mizuki and Kuragane ran through the cold, dark corridors of the demon fortress. Their footsteps echoed, mingling with the distant sounds of battle. Suddenly, ahead of them, they saw two familiar silhouettes.

— Look, they’re right ahead! said Mizuki, with a trace of relief in her voice.

— Let’s catch up! replied Kuragane, tensing his muscles and picking up speed.

Within moments, they caught up to Raizen and Lyra. The girl seemed troubled, her uneasy gaze fixed behind her, toward the sounds of the battle.

— My clan… will they be okay on their own? I feel guilty for dragging you all into this chaos, murmured Lyra.

— Your dad’s wiping the floor with them, don’t worry, said Kuragane with a short, ironic smile. — He’s probably already cut down a dozen.

Raizen said nothing. With a sudden motion, he slammed open the massive door before them. The wood cracked, revealing a massive silhouette shrouded in shadow. Moonlight streamed through stained glass, revealing a gigantic demon with ram-like horns, heavy armor, and a gigantic axe that looked like it had ended dozens of lives.

— I am Thorn, the left hand of General Zorak. This is the end of the line for you, said the demon, his voice thundering through the hall's columns.

Kuragane stepped forward without hesitation. The ancient rune on his armor glowed blue, and the black markings on his skin began to shine faintly, a sign that his old power was awakening.

— Go on ahead. I’ve got a score to settle with this one, said Kuragane firmly, raising his massive sword.

— Good luck! Thanks! shouted Raizen over his shoulder, running alongside the two girls toward the next door.

Thorn raised his axe to stop them, but Kuragane blocked the strike with astounding force. Metal sparked, and the demon was pushed back several steps.

— Didn’t you hear? I’m your enemy! roared Kuragane, shoving him hard against the wall.

The three entered another room, but the silence inside was even more oppressive. A cold, strange voice pierced their minds:

— I am Varek, the right hand of Zorak. You shall go no further.

Their eyes moved quickly, searching for the source of the voice, but saw nothing. Then, like a chill down their spines, they felt the presence behind them. Slowly, they turned and saw a tall, slender creature with long claws and royal black armor. In an instant, Raizen was struck with brutal force and thrown against a stone wall.

— Raizen! shouted Lyra, running to him.

Mizuki, without hesitation, drew her bow and fired an arrow that hit the demon, making him visible in the darkness. Raizen rose slowly, blood running down his cheek, but his skin regenerated quickly.

— I’ll handle this! — shouted Mizuki, her eyes fixed on the demon.

— Are you sure? — asked Lyra, worried.

— Trust me. I didn’t train with the elves for nothing, — said Mizuki, offering them a sincere smile.

— Come on, — said Raizen, taking Lyra by the hand. — We have to find Zorak!

As they ran, the demon tried to follow them, but Mizuki quickly shot a slowing arrow that hit his leg, followed by an explosive one that slammed him into the wall.

— Now it’s my turn, — she whispered, locking her icy gaze on him.

Meanwhile, Raizen and Lyra were running through the last corridor of the citadel. In front of them rose the colossal gates of the throne room. They stopped at the doors, exchanged one final look full of determination, and together pushed the massive doors open.

The doors opened with a heavy noise, and the dim torchlight revealed a black throne, carved from obsidian, where a menacing figure sat. The atmosphere was oppressive, and the air felt colder.

At last, they were face to face with Zorak.

Raizen’s and Lyra’s steps echoed loudly on the dark marble floor of the throne room, their echo stretching like a threat. The massive stone doors closed behind them with a thud that seemed to shake the entire fortress. On the black throne, carved from burned bones and demonic horns, sat Zorak — the embodiment of demonic power. His ashen skin gleamed sickly in the torchlight, and his eyes — two flames of eternal hatred — pierced the soul of each intruder.

— I’ve been expecting you, mortals... — he said with contempt, his deep voice vibrating through the walls. — You’ve come for this cursed child? Ha! What a waste of lives...

— Shut your mouth, demon, — Raizen’s voice cut through the air like a blade. His gaze was icy, but fury burned in his chest.

Zorak smiled coldly and raised his infernal staff. The skulls on it began to whisper in unison, a murmur of death. A blast of dark energy surged toward them. Raizen pulled Lyra behind a pillar, shards of stone flying around them.

— We have to work together! — he said through clenched teeth, breathing heavily. — He’s unlike anyone we’ve ever faced.

— I didn’t come all this way to run! — snapped Lyra, her cheeks flushed with adrenaline and from being close to Raizen. — Even against hell itself, I’ll fight!

She summoned fire spirits, and golden flames rose around her hands. She hurled a blazing orb at Zorak, but he formed a shield of dark magic with a gesture, dissipating the attack in a cloud of smoke and sparks.

— Your fire doesn’t burn deep enough, child! — sneered Zorak. — Let me show you what true power is!

On the battlefield.

Outside, the world was burning. The elves staggered under the pressure of the demons, each moment bringing blood and death. The sky was slashed with red lightning, and the ground soaked with pain.

The elf king, wounded, his cloak torn and chest bloodied, fell to his knees.

— Oh, gods of earth and sky... — he muttered with trembling voice, raising his arms to the heavens. — Take our souls if you must, but grant me the power to save my people!

As if in answer, the wind turned into invisible blades that shredded demons, and the trees sent their roots like vipers through the ground, ripping their bodies apart. Nature was furious. No demon was safe.

In the depths of the citadel, Kuragane and Thorn.

Through the ruins, Kuragane dragged himself, covered in blood and dust, his armor shattered and hands trembling. Before him, like a mountain of flesh and hatred, waited Thorn, the demon with the massive axe and sinister smile.

— You really think that toothpick of a sword will stop this? — grinned Thorn, and with colossal force, he struck. Kuragane blocked, but the impact drove him into the ground, his legs sinking to the knees in stone tiles.

— I... can’t fall now... — he thought, feeling blood stream from dozens of cuts.

Then... a red light. The sacred runes on his body lit up.

— In the name of my clan! — roared Kuragane, his voice becoming thunder. — I will crush evil with every breath I have left!

Ancestral power surged through his veins, and with a battle cry, he shattered Thorn’s axe with a single strike. Before the demon could react, a sword slashed off both his arms.

— Aaaaaagh! What... what are you?!

— The pain of my ancestors, — replied Kuragane, approaching calmly, bloodied, unstoppable.

Thorn crawled back, desperate, trying to regenerate his arms. He managed to regrow one, but it wasn’t fast enough. He grabbed a massive pillar and slammed it into Kuragane’s head.

A cloud of dust and blood rose... but Kuragane did not fall.

With blood running down his face, he sliced the pillar with his bare hand, then lunged at the demon.

— For all those killed by bastards like you! — he shouted, driving his sword deep into Thorn’s chest.

— Nooo... how did you...?!

— Because I didn’t fight alone.

Thorn began to dissolve, his flesh melting into dark vapor. Kuragane stood tall, silently watching his enemy vanish. Then... the world began to spin.

— I must go back... the others... — he murmured, but his knees gave in. He dropped to the ground, blood pooling beneath him. Darkness swallowed him.

In a high corridor lit only by flickering torches, Mizuki staggered forward, blood streaming from a deep cut on her arm. She breathed heavily, feeling her limbs grow numb with pain.

— I have to stop him... but how? — she thought, swallowing hard.

From around the corner came a chilling sound of footsteps. Varek, the demon with claws sharp as blades and red eyes, crept forward, a predator savoring the hunt. Mizuki quickly cast an illusion and hid behind a cracked pillar, while a magical clone ran in the opposite direction.

She dropped to her knees, trying to heal herself, but the wounds were severe, and her strength was waning.

— I hope the others are okay... — she whispered.

From the darkness, a raspy voice stole her breath.

— You should worry about yourself, little girl...

Mizuki turned slowly. Varek stood behind her, grinning widely, his fangs stretching to his ears. The illusion had already been shattered.

— What...? How...?

She tried to run, but Varek grabbed her hand. She screamed and launched beams of light at him, but the demon laughed maniacally:

— Hee hee hee... ha ha ha HA HA HA! Is that all?

His gaze was full of contempt, but also... curiosity. Mizuki struggled, but she was too weak. With a single motion, Varek slammed her against the wall.

The pain nearly made her lose consciousness. The world became blurry, but in that darkness, she heard her mother’s voice again.

— Fight, Mizuki… for what matters.

She o se slowly, trembling, bleeding, but with eyes that sparkled.

— I can’t die… not now.

She placed a hand on her chest and whispered a prayer with her last strength:

— Goddess who gave us life… mother… help me… don’t let it be in vain...

A burst of pure white light erupted from her. Varok staggered back, blinded, and spat angrily.

— What trick is this?!

From that light descended a glowing feminine figure, enveloping Mizuki — the soul of her mother and the spirit of the goddess. Her wounds healed, and her eyes gleamed with divine light.

Varek lunged at her with incredible speed, but Mizuki already had her bow ready.

— Arrows won’t stop him… then…

— This spell… will consume part of my soul… but I have no choice.

She chanted a sacred elven incantation, and the divine light paralyzed the demon.

— What IS this?! — screamed Varek, collapsing to his knees.

Mizuki, with radiant angelic wings unfurled behind her, raised a hand to the sky. A blinding sphere of light slowly formed.

Varek looked at her silently, not with hatred… but with awe.

— So this is how I die… I’m sorry, Zorak...

Mizuki whispered:

— Never underestimate a determined heart.

The light sphere turned red and compressed into an arrow, launching at high speed.

Varek smiled for the first time… sincerely.

— I’ve never… seen anything so beautiful...

The arrow pierced his heart. The demon collapsed, still smiling.

Mizuki, exhausted, fell to her knees. She felt part of her soul break away, but she was alive.

— I… did it…

She gathered her last strength and ran toward the hall where Kurogane had been.

When she found him, her blood froze. He lay in a pool of blood, motionless.

— Kurogane! — she cried, running and falling to her knees beside him.

— Are you okay? Please, answer me!

Kurogane opened one eye and gave a weak smile.

— How could I be okay… like this?

— Huh… So you're alive, that means more suffering for you! — she said with tears in her eyes, but a slight smile.

— You're moving, right? Then deal with it. I’ll heal you now...

She placed her hand on his chest and began to heal him, whispering softly:

— My soul won’t let me lose someone again...

Inside, Raizen and Lyra were fighting desperately. Zorak pushed them back with increasingly chaotic spells. Lyra, sweat dripping from her forehead, raised her hands toward the ceiling.

— Spirits of wind and forest, hear my call!

Roots burst from the floor, wrapping around Zorak’s feet. Violent gusts struck him from the sides, forcing him to lose focus. Raizen took the chance and advanced, but an explosion of energy knocked him back. He hit the wall and fell, blood streaming down his face.

— Not... not now... — he said, trembling as he stood.

— I like how you work together... you’re worthy foes, but unfortunately, you have no chance. — Zorak pointed his staff at them, and undead demons rose from the ground.

— What is this!? He can summon the dead!? — shouted Raizen.

— I-I’m scared! — Lyra screamed, clinging to Raizen.

— Everything will be fine. — he said gently, stroking her head and glaring at the demons.

— If you say so...

Lyra let go of Raizen, stopped the demons with roots, and sat down. Raizen spun his sword and cut them all in half.

The door burst open again, and Mizuki and Kurogane entered the hall. Mizuki ran to Lyra and Raizen, casting a healing spell. Kurogane stood tall like a rock before Zorak and launched a wave of sacred energy, cracking the demonic barrier.

— We’re in this together! — he shouted.

— Such terrible wounds… — Mizuki said.

Zorak summoned more demons. Though weakened, Kurogane cast reinforcement spells on them.

— This is all I can do!

— It’s enough. — Raizen replied, then ran toward Zorak. The delighted demons were struck down by Mizuki’s arrows and Lyra’s roots.

Raizen leaped at Zorak. He tried to defend himself with his staff, but roots bound his hand. Mizuki pinned the other hand to the wall.

— You don’t stand a chance against us! — Raizen shouted and, with lightning speed, drove his sword into his heart.

Zorak began to disintegrate. A wicked grin appeared on his face.

— What are you grinning about? — Raizen asked.

— Why shouldn’t I laugh? You’re so happy, thinking you’ve defeated me...

A dark light emerged from Zorak’s heart, throwing Raizen back and sending a wave of energy that knocked everyone away.

— What is this...? — Kurogane asked, stunned.

Zorak reformed. Bones protruded from his body, and he became more massive and terrifying.

— Now you’ll know true pain!

Zorak created black orbs that pierced through their bodies like arrows. Deep wounds opened. Mizuki struggled to heal them. Raizen regenerated and jumped back into battle. Zorak’s strikes were like tanks.

— Such terrible power... — Raizen said, watching his hands tremble.

Kurogane, with his last strength, transferred his energy to Raizen.

— This is all I’ve got left... — he said, collapsing.

Empowered, Raizen could now withstand Zorak, but he couldn’t land fatal blows. Mizuki and Lyra were fighting the summoned demons.

— They’re in danger, Kuragane can’t help us anymore... I’m weak... What should I do?! — Raizen thought.

Distracted, he didn’t see Zorak’s staff slicing off his head. Mizuki and Lyra screamed in terror. Lyra formed a wooden shield.

— Raizen!!! — she shouted.

The demon destroyed the shield, but at the last moment, Raizen’s body moved on its own, grabbed his head, and reattached it. Mizuki, though shocked, continued the fight.

Raizen, now conscious, stood up.

— I have to hurry and defeat him! When you can’t give up, the only path left is to win… I’ll have to use everything, even if I lose control.

— Coming back to die again? — Zorak asked. — For as long as I can remember, I’ve wanted to take your mother’s life. I don’t know what Malvor saw in her, but the fact that you exist is his mistake.

Raizen transformed. His skin turned snow white, his eyes burned with fury, horns burst from his forehead, and a fountain of blood opened into wings made of bone.

— I didn’t want to use this… but I have no choice! — Raizen said in a deep voice.

The girls watched, worried. Raizen flew upward and formed a black orb. Zorak raised his staff, chanting in an unknown language. A violet laser filled with souls shot toward Raizen. The two spells collided in an explosion that shook the entire hall.

— I'm impressed... but is that all you've got? — Zorak taunted.

In a flash, Raizen appeared before him and plunged his sword into Zorak’s throat.

— Where is Malvor!? — he shouted.

Zorak struck him and threw him aside.

— Heh... it's too late... two months... and no one will be able to stop him...

Blinded by rage, Raizen attacked with insane speed. Every blow left craters in the walls. Zorak could no longer keep up. Mizuki and Lyra freed themselves.

— I don’t like how Raizen looks… — Lyra said.

— He’s still him. That idiot always pulls through. Let’s go help him.

— Okay.

Desperate, Zorak tried to flee. Lyra bound him with vines, and Mizuki slowed him with arrows.

— Aaaaaaaa!!! — Raizen roared, striking him furiously. One final blow pierced Zorak’s heart, shattering the back wall. Zorak died, but Raizen kept hitting him, lost in fury, until Lyra bound him with vines and hugged him. Only then did he calm down.

Zorak completely disintegrated, his flesh and bones burning in a reddish light. A fading scream seemed to escape from the ashes. His staff fell lifeless at Raizen’s feet, echoing dully on the stone floor.

— Raizen! Wake up, please! — Lyra cried, falling to her knees beside him, hands trembling. She touched his cheek with fingers full of dust and blood.

Mizuki rushed over, her eyes wet with panic and frustration. She grabbed his collar and shook him hard.

— Wake up, now!!! Or I’ll turn you into minced meat, got it?!

— He’s hurt! Stop it! — Lyra yelled, trying to hold her back, tears in her eyes. — That’s not how you help him!

Raizen coughed heavily, his lips barely moving.

— Enough… enough… — he rasped. — Stop yelling… I’m awake.

— Huhhh… you’re alive. — Lyra let out a long sigh. — The way Mizuki shook you, I thought you’d die before you could breathe.

Raizen tried to smile, but pain twisted his face.

— Totally normal… I’m used to it. Go… wake up Kuragane. He looks even worse.

Mizuki and Lyra ran to their friend’s body, lying in a pool of blood. After several attempts and some improvised bandaging, Kuragane opened his eyes, groaning.

— Am I alive? Or did the angels bring me back just to fight with you again?

— You're alive… sadly for all of us, — Raizen chuckled weakly.

In a corner of the temple, hidden among the ruins, they found an ancient map. A black-inked circle marked a spot: Malvor’s Temple. Everyone’s heart skipped a beat.

When they stepped outside, the sky had a warm, pink hue. The demons fled in chaos, leaderless. Nature had reclaimed its right. The forest moved and breathed, as if alive once more.

The elven king fell to his knees, letting his tears flow freely.

— You saved the forest… and my daughter… you are our heroes. Our honor belongs to you.

Lyra stepped forward, and Zorak’s heart was brought to her by elven priests. Through an ancient ritual filled with old chants and gentle flames, the heart transformed into a source of pure light. Green spirals enveloped Lyra, and a warm glow bathed her face.

Tears filled her eyes. For the first time in years of pain, she felt peace.

— It doesn’t burn anymore… it doesn’t hurt… I’m free… — she whispered.

That evening, the elves lit hundreds of lanterns. There was singing and dancing, but many tears too. The survivors sat close together, like a family united by one pain.

Raizen sat by the fire, with Mizuki asleep on his shoulder. Her calm breathing was the only thing keeping him grounded. Kuragane, wounded but smiling, fed a young elf child some dried fruit. Lyra looked up at the sky, peaceful but with sad eyes.

Raizen broke the silence:

— Two months… — he murmured, looking at the map.

Kuragane approached, leaning on an improvised staff.

— Then we’ll be ready.

— But… we don’t have time. In two months we won’t reach him. — Raizen replied seriously.

— Head toward the barrier. He’ll come there anyway… — said the old elf, approaching. — But even reaching that won’t be possible in time, not by regular roads.

The king placed his fingers on the map.

— If you travel through this hidden desert, you’ll cut the journey short. You’ll arrive before him. But it’s a dangerous path.

— Nothing more dangerous than what we’ve already lived through. — said Raizen.

Mizuki and Kuragane nodded, determined.

At dawn, the sun rose red, like a bloody promise.

Raizen was packing his bag when a gentle voice stopped him.

— Raizen… — Lyra approached, holding a carved amulet.

— For you. It’s made from what was once the demon’s heart. Maybe it’ll remind you of who you were… and who you are now.

Raizen took it and clenched it in his fist.

— Lyra… I don’t know what to say…

— Then don’t say anything. Just promise me you’ll come back.

— I can’t promise that. But I promise I’ll fight to my last breath. For you. For the world.

Lyra stepped in and hugged him tightly. Her body trembled.

— You saved my life, my soul… and everything I was about to lose. Never forget: you’re more than the son of a demon. You’re the man who chose to save.

Raizen felt his lips tremble for the first time. He returned the hug.

— Don’t cry for me, Lyra. Smile for me. And pray… that I win.

With teary eyes, Lyra watched him turn and head into the desert path, alongside Mizuki, Kuragane, and the map of fate.

Under the golden

 morning light, the three stepped into the unknown.

The apocalypse was coming. But they were no longer the same. Now, they were ready to fight until the end.