[Black Bones, Returning Throne]

Airi and Grimmwald fought the remaining thugs and golems, aiming to get their hands on the actual summoner to finally put a stop, atleast to the seemingly never ending golems.

Grimmwald was unknowingly about to be attacked from behind, but Airi was able to save him by using {Hellfire}.

Grimmwald: Whoa, that was close. Thanks for the save miss.

Airi: Don’t mention it, keep going! We’re almost there.

Grimmwald: Roger! Take this, Blue Lance!

He shoots out a large burst of concentrated lightning out of his sword, blasting through several of the golems yet wasn’t able to get to the summoner as he had thought.

All the while Aria noticed something strange in the distance, within the forest tall, black, pointy spires appeared. All seemingly growing from out of the forest.

Along with that she noticed that the spires were growing in the same general area, or what she assumed it was from her viewpoint. The sounds of the fighting seemingly went away as she was strangely mystified by them.

Was their purpose just for that? Could they just be an elaborate way to cast a spell? Is it a summoning ritual? The little girl thought as more and more seemed to come through.

The spires were getting closer and closer to where they were, but Aria couldn’t help but find them even more mesmerizing. Not noticing the sinister aura they were giving off.

As the two finally get to the summoner, and of course defeat him. They felt a sense of danger and familiarity right after?

Was that not the real summoner? Or was something else worse coming for them? Though in the meantime they took a rest, catching their breaths for at least just a moment.

Grimmwald: Princess, Is something wrong? You’ve been staring into the distance for quite some time.

Aria: That! Look in the distance, those black spikes are multiplying!

Grimmwald: Huh? What even are those things!

Airi: This isn’t good. How long have those been there!

Aria: I first saw them when you guys were fighting those golems.

Grimmwald: Is someone performing a ritual? A spell effect?

As the three of them questioned what those were, they kept coming closer and closer. A sense of dread washed over them as they tried to figure out what they were.

And at the same time something was coming, walking slowly, shambling almost, out of the forest.

Their breath heavy and slow as they went towards the light that the moon shone over the clearing.

Grimmwald pulled his sword out once more, both of his hands held it tight as he cautiously approached the forest. His sweat beaded on his head, falling to the ground as he did.

He and the figure approached each other, Grimmwald was about ready to strike whomever was there down without much thought. His priority was to protect Aria, and by extension Airi as well at that moment.

The figure finally comes out of the forest, it was the leader of the thugs. The man who put him in this whole situation in the first place. Grimmwald was about to raise his sword, wanting to cut him right there but the man spoke up.

Thug leader: Run away! Kid, I know you’re angry at me but please run while you still can. That thing, that Demon, it’s coming.

Grimmwald broke out of his blind rage, and took a look at him right now. The thug leader was bloodied up, scars from a clearly one-sided battle, black spikes lodged into him in some places.

And most notably a torn up left arm, it was almost as if he was maimed by a lion or some other kind of predator. The bone was clearly visible with the way it was torn.

Grimmwald: What happened? Hey! Tell me what happened!

Thug Leader: A Demon awakened that’s what! Run if you value your life dammit!

Airi approached him, holding the leader by his collar, a look of worry was in her eyes as Grimmwald quickly pulled her back before she did anything else.

Airi: Where’s Haru! You were the one he was fighting right!?

Thug Leader: That kid, for all I care he’s gone at this point.

This only made Airi angrier, causing Grimmwald to struggle more and more trying to hold her back. It was clear that something dangerous was coming, has a demon really come to this world already?

Grimmwald: Miss Airi, please calm down. I’ll try to find him to confirm but hear him out!

The thug leader then collapsed, possibly succumbing to his wounds, Airi soon fell on her knees, trying to deny the possibility that Haru was gone as the thug said so.
Grimmwald leaves her for a while, going back to tend to Aria, along with giving her some time. In the back of his mind he tried to figure out what really was happening.

What creature could’ve maimed someone like the thugs’ leader? It definitely couldn’t have been a normal one, that’s for sure.

He knew he had a skill that turned his body into a metallic substance sure, but for a creature to maim him the way they did, impossible as far as he knew.

As he approaches Aria, these thoughts wouldn’t go away as he wanted to know what it was to prepare himself. Even though he likely had almost no time left since it was coming.

Aria: Big brother Grimmwald, is something wrong?

Grimmwald: It’s just what that man said. A Demon is coming, should I believe him, looking at him right now I should but I just don’t feel the danger, I guess.

Aria: I see, isn’t that a good thing then? That means nothing is coming right?

Grimmwald: But princess, remember the spires you told us about, those ones in the distance? What if they’re sign that it’s coming? What if-

Aria: Calm down, please. Recollect your thoughts and go over it slowly, I’m sure it’ll help you understand more.

He sits down next to her, as he looks into the forest, the night sky making it more uncanny and creepy to look at with the information in mind.

He tries to do what Aria told him to, and tries to piece together what’s going on slowly and carefully, but even still he couldn’t exactly come up with anything.

At around the same moment, Airi gets up and starts walking over to them, her face showing a newfound determination as she tries to hold on to the hope that Haru was still alive and that she could find him.

Meanwhile within the dark forest another figure walked towards where they were, cast in a black aura that resembled a hooded cloak.

Its walk was slow, as if it were saving its energy as it tries to track down its next few targets.

Its groans were hoarse and ghastly, like the wails of a ghost or spirit wailing in the dead of night as you try to fall asleep.

The figure stops in its tracks at a certain point, quite close already to the clearing but not exactly out of it. It stretches out its right arm, the gesture revealing the fingers to be sharp.

???: Hundert Pfähle.

As Airi is getting close to Grimmwald and Aria, a large cluster of black spikes shoot out from the forest, separating them while the cluster dissolves into dust and later, nothing.

Grimmwald: What the hell was that!

He pulls out his sword yet again, this time coating himself in lightning as Aria hides behind the supports of the elevated railway.

Airi armed herself as well, now creating a katana out of blood magic along with a set of blood armor to go with it.

Their hearts pounding, eagerly waiting for the so-called “Demon” to come so they could, hopefully defeat or at least subdue it. It’ll be difficult, cause they had no priest or even holy water to weaken it.

The two get to see a glimpse of the figure. A cloak? Airi thought as she was reminded that there was a cult whose goal was to summon the demon lord, could it be one of them?

The figure finally makes it out of the forest, its black aura cloak moving with the wind, almost fire-like rather than the average cloth.

In its left hand was a long and rough scythe, the eerie atmosphere making it all the more obvious to them what they were looking at.

It was the classic look of the Grim Reaper, a look that they’ve heard through various tales and myths. How a cloaked skeleton would come for your soul, causing your death before escorting you to the afterlife.

A look that haunted children and adults alike, it’s been said that those who have had near-death experiences got to see glimpses of this figure. Given what the two were seeing right now, it might as well be true.

Though as the figure approaches, the scythe dragging across the ground, gouging it. As it walks towards them they get a closer look. Skin? Grimmwald thought as he wasn’t expecting Grim Reaper to have some form of skin.

All the while Airi was shocked, tears streamed down her face, both in relief and in terror. Almost causing her to drop her katana in the process.

Airi: Haru? That’s you isn’t it, right?

It was and wasn’t, half of his face had been covered by a black skull with sharpened teeth, while the other half was just him, his eyes dull and seemingly lifeless.

He raises his right arm, showing the sharp black spikes stacked on his arm lengthwise, as if it were armor down to his hands, giving him sharp fingers. These were likely the bones his skill {Skeletal Master} could create, but why were they black?

Haru: Kobraschädel
A large long spinal column came from it, ending with a large snake-like skull, even going so far as to act like that of an actual snake, slithering quickly towards them.

Grimmwald: Miss, snap out of it, it’s coming!

He shouted at Airi, who was still reeling from the shock, thankfully this was all that she needed to get out of it, only managing to barely dodge the attack.

Grimmwald then went to attack Haru, using his lightning to boost his speed to try and attack him from above. Only for his sword to be blocked by the scythe.

Airi on the other hand was dodging the snake-like skull’s attacks left and right, even preventing it from getting to Aria and by extension preventing it from damaging the supports of the kingdom’s elevated railway.

As Grimmwald fought with Haru, he found himself outclassed in speed with how fast he was able to defend against his lightning enhanced self. It was as if this version of Haru memorized his attack patterns without even having fought him beforehand.

Grimmwald: Calling him a demon is an understatement!

He thought to himself as he kept trying to find a way to break through the seeming impenetrable defense Haru has with his scythe, changing angles and changing swordsmanship styles weren’t going to cut it anymore.

While Airi had a hard time dealing with the skull snake chasing her, she thought up a plan to slice it at the spine. That way Haru wouldn’t be able to control it anymore.

And so starts her plan, which immediately has a hole put through it due to her finding out that the black bones are much tougher than the normal variants. Even coating her katana using her {Hellfire} skill wasn’t effective.

Though that was the least of her worries, as she still had to deal with the head of the snake itself. With it still trying to bite her at every turn and such.

After playing cat and mouse with the skull snake for a while, she found the weak point, the vertebral discs that connect each segment of the column.

The problem was that, of course, she had to get in close to actually slice them apart.

Along with that she needed to be smart about where she cut it, if she cuts it too close to the head he’ll still have a usable weapon for the most part. So she needs to cut it where it attaches to his arm.

Right now, at that moment, was the perfect time to do this as Haru also happened to be preoccupied with fighting Grimmwald.

She ditched her armor, putting most of her remaining mana into her legs and her sword as she activated {Hellfire} once more.

Running in, she parrys most of his attacks, getting closer and closer, using all her might to get to that point.

Airi: Please hit!

It was all too late, for him, as she cut it swiftly and cleanly. Landing, her feet skidding on the ground as she jumped away from it.

Grimmwald: Well done, Miss Air-

Haru cuts him off mid-sentence, using just a flick from his scythe to send him back quite far. He then gripped the scythe with both of his hands, his feet positioned getting ready to run at them.

Grimmwald: Damn it, how are we going to-

Airi: Break through the armor, there’s a low possibility it’ll work but it’s the only idea I’ve got right now. I want to save him.

At the same time all of that was happening, Haru was somewhere completely different. His body was running on a berserker autopilot as he was kicked out of the pilot’s seat in a sense.

Haru: Where am I? Hold on, is this my room?

He was in his bedroom, the one in his world. All of his things were as he left them. It was surprisingly clean despite his personality, the only sort of mess was a pile of model kit boxes in the corner, right by the door.

He looked through the room, in awe that he was in his own room back home. Though as he looked out the window, he saw nothing but a white void.

Haru: It’s either I’ve blanked out, or I’m dead and this is some cruel god’s idea of a joke.

Lying down on his bed he tries to remember what happened prior to this, but to no avail. Eventually getting sleepy, slowly succumbing to it and drifting off.

Fire, destruction, screaming. A village was getting attacked, its citizens fleeing from something. Was it a large army wanting to declare war? A group of mercenaries perhaps?

No, it was all orchestrated by a man clad in all black armor, his black cloak-like aura flapping amidst the destruction he causes.

Man: No, please! Stay away!

Haru: Huh? Wait, I’m not going to-

The man on the ground picks up a rock, throwing it at him, hitting and bouncing off his helmet.

Man: Monster! You destroyed everything!

Two people appeared, rescuing the man in front of him. It was a girl in a priestess outfit and with her was a man in knight armor, wielding a broadsword.

???: You two go, I’m going to fight him. I’ll stop his rampage.

The priestess and the man left him as he stood his ground, gripping the sword which was now getting engulfed in light. All as Haru stood there confused, not understanding what was happening.

Hero: I’ll introduce myself, I’m the hero sent to stop you.

He then powers himself up, bright light coating his body and his sword, granting him angelic wings in the process.

The very next moment he was in front of him, his sword raised, about to swing at him with all his power.

At the same time Haru’s body, or the body he saw himself in at the time, began to move on its own. His right arm raised up, palm out, aimed right at the hero’s chest.

Without any words a storm of black bones shot out, all piercing through the hero with little to no effort.

The sound of him dropping the sword was all Haru could hear as he tried to comprehend what just happened.

The hero was now impaled, the bones still holding him up as his blood dripped from his mouth onto the bones.

The villagers’ screams of terror echoed deep in his head as they look at their now-dead hero. The priestess was on her knees, sobbing as Haru was begging whoever put him in this to get him out.

And so he woke up, this time in the real world, the fantasy world he was sent to. His eyes shot open as this time he was the one on his knees.
At the same time a couple of minutes ago, Airi and Grimmwald were putting their all into freeing him. Their strikes were each heavy yet quick, they weren’t giving him a single chance to counter.

They even managed to break his scythe with how they fought him. Attacking him from every possible position and angle, wearing him down little by little.

Grimmwald: Miss Airi, now!

Airi: Got it. Sorry about this, dear!

She raises her katana up, charging it up with both hellfire and blood. Condensing it all into the blade’s edge. Just before slashing at him diagonally, putting everything she’s got in that single strike.

All she thought was “please work” and “give him back already” when she swung the sword down at him.

The cloak-like aura was the first to go, with the rest of the armor following suit. Dusting like the storm of bones he sent after them when he first attacked did.

His now-freed body dropping on its knees, his dull eyes shooting open and returning to life as he finally woke up.

Haru looked up, to see that Airi was wielding a katana, her heavy breathing was the first thing he heard. Upon seeing him back she immediately drops her katana and hugs him.

Haru: Y-yo, Airi. I’m back I guess?

Airi: Idiot! You didn’t know how much I was worried!

Haru: Hey, calm down. You’re starting to sound like Touka, ah I probably shouldn’t talk about her right now, my bad.

Grimmwald: That’s you right, Sir Haru?

Haru: I think so, but who are you?

Grimmwald: It’s me Grimmwald! I’m the one princess Aria likely told you about!

Haru: Sorry, sorry. In any case, you can drop the “Sir”. As much as I’d like to be called that, it's awkward when the person saying it looks around the same age as me.

Grimmwald: My apologies, Haru.

Airi finally lets go of him and stands up, with him following as well. He wipes off her tears, trying his best to console and calm her down. All as Grimmwald watches, giggling to himself at Haru’s expense.

Haru: C’mon now, stop crying. I was planning to slip this on you while you slept to see how long it would take for you to notice, but oh well.

He pulls out a small box from inside his coat, revealing a ring before placing it onto her ring finger. Though instead of this calming her down as he thought, it only made her cry more.

After a while of this the four of them head back to the town, going down the route that Grimmwald took that led him to them. Airi wouldn’t let go of his hand the whole time, as Haru kept on trying to apologize to her.

Grimmwald: I’ll be taking the princess to meet up with your king.

Haru: Princess? She’s a princess?

Grimmwald: Ah, I guess she didn’t tell you. She’s the Elven Kingdom Kretouvell’s princess, Aria von Scharnhorst.

Haru: You’re kidding right?

Grimmwald: I’m not, but this is where we part ways. Till next time, Sir Haru.

Haru: I guess it is, but who knows I might head over to Kretouvell sometime. Counting on you to be my personal tour guide by then.

Grimmwald: We shall see.

Haru and Airi walk off, heading back to their place as the other two head over to the castle, likely to send a message from their King, Aria’s father.

As they head out of the town, Airi asks him if the ring on her finger was what she thought it meant or if it was a nice birthday gift he got her.

Haru: I guess the first bit, though it doesn't mean you’ll be the first. I promised myself a while back it would be Touka, sorry.

Airi: No, it’s fine. You were always much closer to her even back then, I’m just glad you gave me this first. Wait, are you planning to marry both of us!?!

Haru: What a shift in mood, but yeah. The laws in this world are probably different then back home, so I might as well take advantage of it since I’m already here.

She punches him lightly on the shoulder as he laughs a bit. Not really expecting that answer from him, despite having known him since they were kids.

They spent the rest of the time talking about how funny it is that this happened, how he ended up giving her a ring and how much they’ve changed in the little while since they were sent to this fantasy world.

And in no time they realized they were already nearby the house. The lights were still on, so Elleth and Touka were likely not asleep yet.

Haru: We’re home!

Touka: Welcome back….

Touka sat up on the couch seemingly half asleep, only wearing a two-piece swimsuit. Which, of course, caught the eyes of the two who just came in the room.

Airi: W-why are you wearing a swimsuit!

Touka: I went for a swim in a nearby lake while you two were out.

Airi: Then why are you still wearing it?!

Touka: I just haven’t bothered to, are you jealous? Oh yeah, a knight came by and delivered a letter.

Haru: It better not be a party invitation.

He takes off his coat, hanging it up as Touka hands him the letter. As she keeps teasing her older sister. He reads through it, thankfully it wasn’t a party invitation as he had hoped.

Haru: So we have to go to the castle tomorrow? Great…

Elleth: Dinner’s ready Touka, c’mon now.

She looks over to see that Haru and Airi are now back home. As the three of them notice her very motherly aura.

Elleth: My, great timing you two. I made just enough for all of us.

Touka and Elleth asked the two questions on what they did while they were out for Airi’s birthday.

Haru, naturally, avoided and deflected most of the questions as Airi answered them all quite smugly. Even showing off the ring he gave her, just leaving out the whole story of Haru going berserk just before it.

After this He asked her what happened when he blanked out, he wanted to know what was going on outside when he found himself seemingly in someone’s memories.

Meanwhile in Ersune castle a familiar figure entered a hidden room, one lit with luxurious lanterns surrounded by several bookshelves. Mostly filled with books of varying size and width, magical artifacts and weapons, and strangely enough, wine.

In the figure’s hands were some form of document, the figure looked at it with annoyance.

Sitting down on the couch in the room his arm turned black with glowing orange cracks, burning the document shortly after before turning it back to normal.

???: Kretouvell’s king really expects me to agree to this, the bastard's gone mad. What are you even doing here, Velia?

A woman sat across from him, her golden eyes and light purple hair shone as she drank out of a wine glass. Clearly enjoying herself much to the other’s frustration.

Velia: C’mon now, I’m doing my job diligently. I deserve a reward other than watching my beloved Haru of course. Oh, by the way, here’s all the information about my beloved that you asked for, Marle.

She pulls out another few documents from inside her militaristic long-sleeve black dress. Lightly throwing them on the table, letting them glide a bit towards the current King of Ersune.

Marle: Well, at least this is better than whatever the Elf King sent me.

Velia: Great to hear, do you want me to refill your wine as well?

Marle: Go ahead, in any case have you rallied your troops inside that mansion yet?

Velia: Don’t worry, you’re giving them a week’s notice right? That should be enough time for me as well.

Marle: You… it’s your loss, got it?

Velia: Though I am still grateful I managed to convince you to send my beloved Haru after me. Thanks for that.

Marle: Realistically, you’re the only person I could trust to fight that kid. You know all about him so it only makes sense.

She reassures him of that as she pours herself some more wine as Marle looks over the notes she’s given him intently, all as she indulges in wine.

Marle: This “Grim Reaper” mode of his you described, are you actually sure you can take it on?

Velia: Marle, we’re both elite members of Karnatus. You should already know how powerful I am, that and as you’ve read, my beloved can’t even control it himself. So I doubt he’ll be using it if given another option, maybe as a last resort though.

She then gets up, bringing a wine bottle with her as the King of Ersune ponders on the information she’s collected throughout the time she was watching Haru.

She stops in her tracks just before she opens the door, facing him with a serious look on her face.

Velia: I must warn you however, the rest of us in Karnatus already know your real intentions. Killing the demon lord and instating yourself as the new one? Ridiculous.

She walks out of the room, leaving him with that warning and the documents she gave him.