As Souta looked at the man before him, he spoke calmly, "I'm not interested in your group. I work alone, sir."
One of the members of the Kessho Kikan, with a numb, unreadable expression, replied,
"I have an idea. I won't force you to join us… but I'll train you myself to awaken the sword you're holding."
Souta blinked. "Awaken my sword? What is this, some kind of fairy tale?"
The man responded, "The one who forged that sword embedded it with an enchantment. But your Seishin... it's not strong enough to activate it. Let me train you, and I'll turn you into something far greater than what you are now."
Souta lowered his gaze and said, "I'll think about it."
As he turned to walk away, he hesitated. "Where are we even"
He looked back, but the man had already vanished.
Then
"Souta! Souta!!"
Ren's voice echoed in the distance, getting closer. Souta turned and saw his friend rushing toward him his hand still glowing.
But just as Ren got close, a demon landed in front of him, launching a fireball from its mouth.
Ren, without flinching, slashed through it in one clean motion, cutting the demon in two. As it tried to regenerate, the two halves multiplied briefly… before dissolving into dust.
Souta, wide-eyed, said, "How… how did you do that? And why are you holding a blood sword?!"
Ren gave a confused grin, "I have no idea… but it's kinda cool, right?"
Then he suddenly passed out. The blood sword vanished. The mark on his body dimmed, losing its glow.
Just in time, a Holy Knight under the Church of Devotion arrived, pulling them both to safety as exorcists and knights cleared the area of demons.
On top of a nearby building, the same man who attacked them stood watching. His coat flowing with the wind, his lips twisted into a wicked smile.
"This world will know the truth," he said, biting his lip. "They will learn the power of demons. And I will be the one… to take it all."
---
Scene Break The Next Morning
Ren awoke in a hospital bed, staring at the white ceiling. He turned his head and saw Souta sleeping in the other bed beside him.
Quietly, Ren got up and limped to his side. "Souta… I'm sorry for everything. I hope you'll be alright."
Souta's voice replied, "I'm awake, bro."
Ren lit up. "Oh! Haha, alright then!"
Souta sat up slowly, groaning. "You good? I saw that guy headed for our house. How did you stop him?"
Ren scratched the back of his head. "I punched him real hard. Gave him a full counter."
Souta tilted his head. "By the way… how'd you even do that? And what's that power of yours?"
Ren shrugged. "Honestly? I don't know. But it doesn't feel normal…"
Then, Ren saw a pen nearby. Without hesitation, he stabbed his hand.
"Ren!! What the hell?!" Souta shouted, eyes wide.
As blood dripped, it fell with a lot of blood
Ren with a confused face said but it worked last time
Souta with no hesitation throw
Souta's breath caught. Don't do that again men
Ren nodded with confused and said but it worked a last time you saw it right
Souta stared silently, then said I did and m not sure doing it again is the right thing
"I guess it's when the day turned red it came out said in his mind and said true true
He looked at his mark. Souta reached out and touched it, still trying to make sense of it.
"but it's to hard it believe tho …" Souta muttered.
Ren then asked, seriously, "Souta… what if m a demon
Souta looked stunned, speechless for a moment. Then firmly said:
"Ren… your not a demon Even if you do turn into a demon, you'll always be human to me.
You're my brother. My best friend. Nothing could ever change that."
Ren's eyes welled up. "Thanks, man. You're the best."
But I don't think it's until the door creaked open.
Ayame stepped in. "Oh… am I interrupting a moment here?"
Ren quickly pushed Souta back, laughing. "No, no! Come join in!"
Ayame smiled, sitting beside Ren. "They're planning to move the camp away from the city because of yesterday's attack. The place… um, I think it was Hikarishi valley ? Somewhere remote.
I'm not sure but what's what I heard
Let me ask the commander first"
Ayame blinked. " one sec be right back
She left the room, and Souta turned to Ren.
Also one more thing before she comes back
"Don't go telling just anyone about what you expressed m sure it's not going to come back again ," he said seriously.
"We're in Sanctum, a city full of exorcists and holy knights. If the wrong person finds out, they'll kill you."
Ren looked uneasy.
"Even Ayame and Itsuki?" he asked.
Souta nodded. "we are not even sure what that was and I don't know what's happening to you But the signs are showing. Your eyes… your hair… your skin. You're changing, Ren."
Ren looked down, silent.
"I'm sorry," Souta added. "I'm just worried."
Ren forced a smile. "Don't worry men it not gonna come back again hehe
Souta chuckled, unconvinced. "Yeah, yeah… you always say that. Just don't do anything dumb."