The Decisive Collision

“The demon attacked you?!”

Akemi was listening to the whole story of what happened after they returned to Ayumu's home.

"Yes. And it completely ignored the Darkness guy.”

The guardian should be indirectly protecting Ayumu from external threats... But it's true that it also attacked him when that girl made that mess in the classroom... Maybe if the world gets too out of control, the guardian ends up deciding that it's better to sacrifice Ayumu to restart everything. Although it's hard to believe that the source of that wish would do something like this.

“That’s very strange, but I can't say any more than that. I ask you to understand.”

“I understand the reason.”

“Now our biggest problem is the Darkness guy and his men. I can't give details, but they shouldn't exist."

After all, I never saw them while watching Ayumu from afar.

“They shouldn't exist? I thought they had revealed themselves because of my sword.”

Akemi didn't say anything.

“I don’t think there’s any point in speculating...”

Ayumu spoke as he ran his right hand over his head.

"Well, I can say one thing."

"What?"

“You'll find out about everything very soon. This world is already…”

She didn't finish that phrase.

“In other words, the final battle is near.”

Akemi nodded and he looked at his right palm.

“I won’t lose.”

“If you really wish for victory, nothing can stop you.”

“The last miracle…?”

While the two finished their conversation, the mysterious girl continued to sleep peacefully in her bedroom.

Monday. The two were heading to school, Akemi looking around apprehensively.

“Ayumu...”

“Yes, we are being watched.”

He was also paying attention to his surroundings, trying to find the source of that feeling.

“And there are too many. But the city is not empty like the last times...”

Akemi remained silent.

Her not responding only confirms that the city being empty has something to do with the attacks.

As he imagined, the two weren’t attacked and the class went on normally. A normality that was absurd, since there was no sign of what had happened there the day before. Add that to the constant feeling of being watched and the desire to have a happy life at school was impossible to fulfill.

On the way back home, the same thing happened, with the two being watched from afar by multiple pairs of eyes.

"I'm almost wishing they would attack us soon."

"Don’t say that. You fought yesterday and you need to rest for a few days.”

Ayumu really wanted to rest, but for him that meant ending it all. He have to kill the demon two more times, save the sleeping girl and listen to what she had to reveal to him. But now there were another obstacle, those who were following him and Akemi.

The two continued on without being attacked, but even inside the train the felling of being watched didn’t disappear.

Whoever is watching us isn’t the guardian, so it should’ve be impossible to follow us like this.

Akemi was trying to identify who was still watching them when the train arrived at a station.

“See you tomorrow, Akemi.”

He got off the train and immediately saw the girl next to him.

“Akemi?”

“I think we should stay together today.”

"Huh… Yeah, that’s probably the best thing to do."

Ayumu tried to suppress all inappropriate thoughts, but he couldn't stop his face from turning red. And seeing that, Akemi giggled.

The rest of the way home was quiet and the feeling of being watched disappeared as they entered Ayumu's house.

"At least we can relax now."

Akemi said as they realized they were free from those following them.

“That’s right, when Darkness first appeared, he made me leave the house. Has my home become something like a sanctuary?”

“I'm sure the demon would attack in here without a second thought. That time I took it outside because fighting indoors would be a problem.”

When she finished saying that, Akemi covered her mouth with her hands and stayed completely paralyzed.

Seeing that, Ayumu was expecting an attack, but nothing happened.

“Whew, I don't think I said too much. I'm sorry."

"Don’t worry, it’s everything fine."

“So… Can I use your bathroom? And I’ll sleep in the living room.”

Tuesday.

“Ayumu, have you and Akemi started dating yet?”

For some reason, Ayumu felt as if he had already heard that question multiple times and didn't even want to answer it, especially with that feeling of being constantly watched.

But in the end, nothing bad happened that day.

Wednesday.

Now it was official, school became a nightmare.

The school was supposed to be the place where Ayumu would change his life for the better so he wouldn't have regrets in the future, but the tension in the air was wearing him down too much. The number of eyes watching him seemed to have increased and they were in constant motion.

What's happening? What are they doing?!

Thursday.

The situation became stranger than before. The number of eyes drastically reduced, but both Ayumu and Akemi were so restless that it was hard to focus in class. When the lunch break finally began, it was as if they had received a blessing.

"It's almost impossible to pay attention to what the teacher is saying."

Ayumu complained as he looked at the blue sky.

“They're still watching us, but I feel like there's something very wrong going on. We must prepare for the worst.”

"Yes. They should act at any moment now.”

The afternoon classes continued normally until the end.

“Ayumu...”

Akemi was in a cold sweat when she called out to him.

"Yeah. There is no one else watching us.”

At that moment, the world seemed to lose its colors, the sky turned red and scarlet consumed everything.

"What is this?!"

“Ayumu, look! Everyone else is paralyzed!”

In the classroom, the students and the teacher who had not left yet seemed to be frozen in time.

"Let's go outside, fast!"

The two ran to the schoolyard. There was an enormous glowing red circle filled with strange patterns and in the center of it was just one person.

"Hello my friend! I see you have company! I should’ve spent a little more time making sure she would be immobilized too… No, it doesn't matter. She can't really do anything! But answer me girl, what the hell are you?”

“Darkness, you bastard! What are you doing?!"

“Calm down, my friend. I'm just taking a bunch of hostages! They're all fine! My men made sure everyone was inside the building when I activated the demon circle.”

“Hostages?! What are you planning?!”

“It's something very simple! I'm going to kill you now and extract the miracle in your soul at any cost! Today is the decisive battle! So I prepared a feast!”

“Ayumu!”

Akemi screamed as she felt those presences that began to appear around them.

“It can't be… There’re so many!”

Dozens of demons, all looking at Ayumu, thirsty for his life.

Why are there so many guardians?! Is this world really doomed?

Akemi couldn't find an explanation for that.

"Akemi, I'm their target, so get away from me."

She nodded as the sword appeared in Ayumu's hand.

"It's show time!"

Darkness got his two pistols and started shooting at Ayumu who ran to the right side, coming face to face with multiple demons.

“I have no time to waste on you!”

In the blink of an eye, Ayumu decapitated one, slashed another diagonally, decapitated another and continued eliminating his opponents one after the other.

"Impressive! Impressive! But it won’t be enough, my friend!”

Darkness started shooting again, not caring if any demons got hit. Ayumu kept running, cutting the demons one after another, but for each one that fell dead to the ground, another one appeared in its place.

There’s no end to them!

Meanwhile, Akemi was hiding behind a tree watching everything.

If it continues like this, Ayumu will end up making a mistake and that will be the end! And I can only watch… No, I'm watching over him! If any surprise attack happens, I have to warn him!

Ayumu cut through yet another group of demons and jumped, falling with his sword on Darkness who blocked with his pistols.

“Approaching step by step? But it's useless!”

Darkness managed to push Ayumu back, who fell and he was already surrounded by enemies.

"What the hell! Give me a break!”

And soon the shots started again.

Meanwhile, two armed men emerged from inside the school building and began to cautiously approach the battle. They were getting closer and closer as they aimed their weapons... But one of them was hit by a rock on the head and fell to the ground.

"What happened?!"

The other yelled and turned around only to see a rock hitting his face really hard.

"At least I can do this."

Akemi said as she rubbed her hands together to get rid of dirt.

The demons kept reviving and busy with them, Ayumu couldn't focus on his main enemy, that guy who kept shooting and laughing like crazy.

“Give up, my friend! If you do this and reveal the miracle to me, I will repay you by giving you a painless death!”

"I already told you I don't know what you're talking about!"

Ayumu cut another demon and went towards Darkness, blocking the shots with his sword. But as he was approaching, another group of demons appeared right in front of him.

“Disappear!”

Darkness took advantage of that and walked away while reloading his weapons.

I have to that again! So I can create a chance!

He remembered when he had launched a long-range sword attack in the previous battle.

But it has to be stronger than that! I have to be able to cut whoever gets hit!

Ayumu managed to eliminate all the closest enemies and stopped for a moment.

Remember that feeling. Focus on the blade. Put the power on it, power to cut down my enemies!

The shots resumed and more enemies were already nearby, Ayumu headed towards Darkness again.

“Are you going to try this again? It is useless, my friend!”

"I already told you I'm not your friend!"

Two demons placed themselves between Ayumu and Darkness.

"It's now or never!"

The holy sword moved and a slash followed through the air, cutting through the demons who dropped dead.

"What is that?!"

Darkness was taken by surprise and used his pistols to block the attack that was slowly losing strength. But before it disappeared, Ayumu attacked from above. The smile on that madman's face gave way to despair.

The sword came down as its target jumped back.

After the attack, Ayumu calmly pointed his sword towards his enemy.

“Checkmate, Darkness”

"Amazing! Heir of the last miracle!”

Blood was falling on the ground. Darkness had lost his left arm.

"But I have something to say to you, my friend."

Ayumu was silent watching him. Darkness went calmly to his arm on the ground and picked it up.

"You're not the only special one here!"

"How can this happen?!"

That should have been something impossible, but in this world that has gone mad, maybe that was something normal. Darkness placed the severed arm where it should have been and instantly healed.

“Ready to dance again, my friend?”

“You asked Akemi this question, but it's you who should answer! What the hell are you?!"

A big smile full of madness was on that mysterious young man's face.

“Ayumu! Something is wrong, the demons are all gone!”

Akemi yelled from afar.

That’s true! There were so many until just now!

“Now, let’s get this over with, my friend—”

Darkness would never be able to finish that sentence, after all, a huge claw tore him to pieces.

"So you decided to show up…"

In front of Ayumu was the guardian, the original demon. Its left hand had given way to yet another claw, turning it into a true killing machine.

As Ayumu assumed a fighting stance, the red circle gradually disappeared and the world regained its original color. Under the light of the sunset, another battle was about to begin.

The demon attacked first, Ayumu prepared to block, but when the claw was approaching, he decided to jump and dodge. The claw hit the ground, shattering everything around it.

“What an absurd force! Can I still face this thing? Huh?!”

While still in the air, Ayumu was already being attacked again. With no chance to dodge that blow he blocked with his sword. The force of the impact was so great that his defense stance broke as he was thrown violently against the wall of the school building that exploded.

“Ayumu!”

Akemi couldn't even go to him, after all she would only get in the way.

From the cloud of dust that rose, Ayumu came out with blood running down his forehead and he had multiple wounds on his body. Seeing that made Akemi gape in despair.

One hit and I'm in this pathetic state. Even my right arm broke…

The demon was already attacking again.

I need to heal faster!

Ayumu ran away. If he received one more attack without healing first, it would be the end of him. In fact, a direct attack would certainly be fatal even if he was fully healed.

I have to buy time until I heal!

Seeing that, the demon stopped running and flapped its wings, flying low with its claws aimed at Ayumu.

Give me a break!

When he was about to be hit, Ayumu threw himself on the ground, narrowly dodging.

I couldn't even repeat the attack from the last time!

The demon remembered what happened in the last battle and started to fly higher. And when it was on top of Ayumu who was already running again, it dived with its claws.

“Watch out, Ayumu!”

Ayumu managed to throw himself to the side and dodge the attack. The demon landed and already attacked again.

The arm is healed! Now block! Use all your strength! Make a miracle happen!

Holding the sword with both hands, Ayumu blocked the claw coming towards his. The force of the impact caused the ground beneath Ayumu to break, wounds opened all over his body and blood began to flow. And before he could celebrate that block, the demon's second claw was already coming towards him.

“Two claws is cheating!”

Ayumu jumped back and narrowly managed to avoid the blow.

“It's my chance!”

He repeated the ranged attack, but the demon easily blocked it with one of its claws.

“No effect?”

Ayumu gave a small laugh. Then he was already using all his strength to block another attack.

“Aaaahhhh!!!”

He screamed trying to raise his fighting spirit. But his body hurt too much, wounds opened and blood came out. It looked like he had reached his limit and the other claw was already coming for him.

"This is the end?"

Ayumu closed his eyes. In a few seconds it would be the end. Everything he did, everything he achieved, would be lost. Everything would restart without him remembering anything.

I don’t want to lose.

That wish appeared in his mind, as if it were his heart that was screaming.

I’m so close of what I'm looking for!

If he win two more times, he would save that girl who was still sleeping in his house and then she would reveal all her secrets to him.

I am the heir of the last miracle, right?

He remembered that voice.

“Prove the strength of your will!”

My will… Is to defeat this thing! Kill it once and for all!

The monster that caused him so much suffering.

I want to be with Akemi, I want to learn more about her, I want to spend more time with her! And this thing is in my way!

The claw was about to make contact. Akemi covered her eyes with her hands in despair.

If I have the power of a miracle, then make a miracle happen!

The claw hit its target and blood spattered. Akemi slowly took her hands away from her face and opened her eyes. Before her was an unthinkable scene.

“Ayumu…? Ayumu!”

The right claw still pressing against the sword that blocked it. The left claw fiercely pressing against its target's body, causing some superficial cuts, but failing to penetrate it.

Ayumu was still standing, his body surrounded by a light that seemed to protect him. His sword glowed so bright that the blade disappeared in the light.

“Disappear, monster that brought only sadness! This world doesn't need you!"

The angry expression on that monster's face gave way to a mixture of surprise and sadness. Despite its demon-like body, its face was still identical to that of a girl, a girl who looked like she wanted to cry. The shock was so great, that the force of its attacks disappeared.

"It's my turn!"

Ayumu didn't miss the opportunity and pushed the demon away, then he started attacking non-stop. Despite showing a moment of weakness, the demon quickly used its claws as a shield.

Faster, stronger! May this light illuminate everything!

Tired of just defending, the demon started to counterattack. Sword and claws kept colliding, creating shock waves that destroyed everything around them. This went on for minutes without either of them succumbing to the attacks.

An opening! I need to find an opening! If I land a hit… Just one hit would be enough!

It seemed impossible to find an opening in those attacks. One claw was already complicated, two seemed impossible.

If I can't find an opening, I just need to create one!

Another collision, while the other claw was already coming Ayumu used his long-range attack, but the two of them were so close that there was no time for the demon to defend, not that it was necessary to block that light that couldn't cut him.

But that created a distraction, just what Ayumu needed.

“Aaaaahhhh!”

He jumped and fell, striking. Without the demon being able to react, a light appeared in its body, as if it had split the demon in two.

“Disappear!!!”

Once again it was denied. The guardian of that world had its existence denied by the one who was most important to it and the light in its body shone, splitting it in half. Without even screaming, the demon disintegrated.

He did it!

When Akemi was about to take her first step towards Ayumu, a sound that sounded like thunder echoed, making her to stop there.

"What is this?"

She looked up at the sky and the noise repeated two more times. And then, a crack appeared in the sky.

"What is happening?"

Ayumu was confused too, watching the world that seemed to break apart.

“Ayumu!”

Akemi approached running.

“Akemi! Are you okay?"

She shook her head.

“This is not the time to worry about me. Ayumu, this is your last chance, so I’ll ask you one more time just to be sure.”

He was apprehensive, waiting for the question to come.

“Do you really want to save that girl? Do you really want to know the truth? You can still give up now and forget about everything. Everything would go back to normal, as if nothing had happened. Or… You can try to kill the guardian once and for all and put an end to this.”

"Why are you making this question? I decided long ago that I’ll see this through to the very end.”

“Aren't you really going to change your mind? As you already know, what comes after this is an overwhelming despair. If you're not really prepared, your spirit can break.”

“Even if the path you are about to take leads you to an unthinkable despair?”

That question echoed again in his mind. What could cause so much despair? What did he not know that could cause such sorrow?

Ayumu looked at the palm of his right hand and then closed it tightly.

“I won't stop now! I want to save that girl and find out about everything. And above all, I want to be able to talk quietly with you! Akemi, I want to know everything about you!”

She turned around, focusing her gaze on a spot in the schoolyard. The noises of thunder repeating and repeating.

This world will end now. Either it will be destroyed by Ayumu’s hands or a loop will happen by force.

“Ayumu, focus on that wish of yours and heal your body. Wish for the end of this…”

She stayed silent for a moment and looked up at the cracked sky. Ayumu was waiting for the end of that sentence that didn't come. Akemi simply turned her gaze to the schoolyard.

“Your wish has been heard. Prepare for the final battle.”

Ayumu looked in the same direction as Akemi. Suddenly, a black circle appeared on the ground and two arms with huge claws came out of it.

"So it's already here…"

The sword appeared on Ayumu’s hand, Ayumu who had already completely healed himself. Before him stood the demon, no, the guardian of that world. Its human face had disappeared and it was now a true monster with multiple huge sharp teeth that didn't seem to fit in its mouth.

"Come on! Let's end this!”