CHAPTER 60: The Sixtieth Fracture

The crimson-eyed demon stepped from the shadows of the shattered cafeteria, golden-red veins pulsating beneath slick gray skin. Its eyes gleamed like molten blood, scanning Saaya with cold amusement. Every step it took left a faint scorch mark on the tiles, and the stench of iron and decay filled the air.

“You’ve been playing hero long enough,” it hissed, voice dripping with malice. The air thickened as droplets of blood lifted from the ground, spinning like tiny saw blades, forming sharp spears and whips aimed directly at her.

Saaya narrowed her eyes, spear at the ready. “I’m not backing down.”

The demon laughed, a sound like wet metal tearing. Its blood-whips lashed out. Saaya rolled across shattered tiles, narrowly avoiding several spears, but one whip lashed her leg, shredding armor and skin alike. Pain flared, hot and raw, and a smear of blood coated the floor. She kicked the whip aside, grit flashing in her eyes.

Alric and Avalon watched tensely. “It’s controlling the blood in the room—and probably hers too,” Alric muttered, voice tight.

Avalon moved, ready to intervene, but Alric raised a hand. “No. Let her fight. Believe in her.”

The demon lunged closer, claws dripping with coagulated blood. Saaya spun, thrusting her spear into its shoulder. It shrieked, the sound grating like iron against bone. From the wound, blood surged upward, forming jagged tendrils that lashed at her. One tore across her cheek, opening a thin gash that stung with every movement. She spat blood but pressed on.

“You’re strong,” it growled, “but strength won’t save you from your own blood.”

The creature’s hands rose, and the blood inside Saaya’s veins screamed in response. Her muscles tensed, agony radiating up her arms as invisible pressure twisted her from within. She staggered, gasping, spear trembling, but sparks of glyph magic ignited along its shaft, disrupting the control. Invisible fingers clenched at her, but the energy pushed them back with a crackle.

The demon grinned, firing a hail of hardened blood bullets. Saaya deflected them with swift parries, but one pierced her side, driving her to her knees. Pain flared hot, stealing her breath, a metallic tang filling her mouth. She coughed, spat blood, and forced herself up.

Alric clenched his jaw. “Saaya!”

“No!” she gasped. “I can handle this!”

The demon’s crimson eyes flared. It slammed a massive blood blade into the ground, sending a shockwave that cracked tiles and shattered walls. Debris flew toward her. She rolled through the cloud of splinters, spear glowing faintly, striking its chest. The blow made it stagger—but only briefly.

The blood around it surged, forming a massive, writhing tendril that smashed toward Saaya. She twisted mid-air, barely avoiding it, but smaller spikes tore into her arms and side, pain exploding in sharp jolts. Each breath burned; every movement sent hot agony coursing through her body.

Avalon raised her hands, shimmering distortion forming, space itself bending to shield Saaya. But Alric grabbed her arm. “Stop! Believe in her! She can do this!”

Avalon hesitated, glancing at Saaya, trembling but upright, spear in hand. “…Very well,” she said, stepping back.

Saaya’s teeth gritted, every muscle screaming. “I’m not done!”

The demon lunged, claws raking through the air. Saaya ducked, but the blood around it erupted into dozens of sharp spikes, stabbing in every direction. She twisted, slashing, deflecting, every move leaving shallow cuts that bled profusely. Pain lanced through her legs and arms, but she pressed forward, driven by determination and desperation.

Feinting left, she lunged at the demon’s shoulder. The creature howled as blood armored itself, absorbing some of the strike. Saaya pivoted, spinning low to sweep its legs, sending it crashing into a wall. Gray and crimson blood sprayed everywhere, some sizzling as it touched broken tiles. Small punctures and cuts oozed, leaving the demon twitching violently.

Saaya’s spear ignited with reverse glyph energy. She drove it through the demon’s chest, piercing the core of its blood manipulation. The creature screamed, eyes wide, crimson veins throbbing, as the blood around it convulsed violently before collapsing into inert liquid. It clawed at the spear, trying to pull it free, but Saaya yanked it out and kicked it backward.

The demon hit the floor with a wet, splattering thud, gray and crimson fluid oozing from wounds. Its twitching slowed, blood still writhing unnaturally before settling. Saaya fell to her knees, gasping, her own blood streaking her face and arms. Her muscles shook violently, pain radiating from cuts across her body, but she had won.

Alric and Avalon rushed over. Alric’s eyes were wide, disbelief and pride mingling. “You did it…”

Avalon’s face softened, though her authority remained. “You fought well. Far stronger than I expected.”

Saaya sank, trembling, spear resting against her shoulder. “I… I had to…”

Alric rested a hand on her shoulder. “You’ve grown so much, Saaya. You fought… like a true warrior.”

She nodded weakly, blood and sweat mingling, exhaustion and relief washing over her. Even battered, bleeding, and exhausted, she had emerged victorious.

Avalon looked at Saaya, “why didn’t you use your powers of the gods? Surely you could have easily ended this fight, no? Or even used your ability to reverse causality?”

Saaya looked at Avalon, “I don’t want to solely rely on my powers of Causality.” At the same time of her saying this, she reversed the cause of her wounds then turned to Alric.

“I’m going to show people that I don’t need to rely on the power of the gods to win my fights.”

Avalon smiled then walked away to help the other students in need

Saaya reversed the cause of the damage the yellow eyed demon inflicted upon Alric

“Wow” Alric said surprised, “even from nothing you can reverse anything.” That’s amazing

Alric looked at his new arm, admiring it

Oizys kneeled down next to Alric took both of her hands and grabbed his face. They locked eyes

“Oizys? Are you okay? Your hands are trembling. Why did you grab my face?”

Oizys leaned in, closer, her lips barely a breath away. She hesitated, studying him—giving him one last chance to pull away.

He didn’t.

The kiss landed soft, almost fragile, but it hit Alric harder than any wound. His knees nearly buckled. He tasted iron, salt, and something he couldn’t name. His uninjured hand twitched like he wanted to push her away—then stilled.

For the first time, Alric didn’t think. He just let it happen.

“Don’t ever worry me like that again. The decay that that demon had could have spread killing you. You’re lucky Saaya was here to save you.”

Aric sat their stunned, “I’m sorry. I had no idea you worried about me that much.” Alric said in a calm voice

Saaya looked at them stunned

Alric turned to look at Oizys, “hey, remember the promise I made to you at the lake? I told you I’m not going anywhere.”

Oizys started to cry tears of joy

Alric leaned in to hug her, “I’m right here”

Shortly after, Saaya smiled and looked at them

Saaya looked up to where Thanatos punched Sukara into the sky.

Thanatos was floating in the air, black aura emanating from him. He looked like death. Karna and I stood opposed to him.

“Well look who it is” I said looking at Karna

“Didn’t think I would have the honor of seeing you again so soon.”

“Things changed and the Principal requested my help. I came over as soon as she asked.” He said in a calm voice

“So who is this? The guys aura is crazy strong. Almost that of a genuine god.” Karna asked taking a fighting stance

“This is Thanatos the god of death. He is even waiting for us to stop talking because he’s that confident he can kill is.” I said

“So you’re the reason why the school is under attack.” Karna eyes daggers on Thanatos, “ you will pat for attacking this school and injuring my under class man”

“You’re both to weak to beat me. You can’t comprehend how powerful death is. I’m the living embodiment of transcending death. YOU CANT KILL ME!”

At that second Karna and I charge right at Thantos.