The immense explosion of lightning had started to settle and the clouds of dust dispersed into the air. The jet black oni girl continued to look onward at the figure in front of her.

There wasn’t very much that changed in her appearance. The same white clothes and white hair she was used to seeing. The fully visible turtleneck and crimson red eyes. The tearing along her clothes and the wounds beneath them were the same. Blood continued to slowly trickle down just as it had before.

However, something was different from before. Something the girl was unprepared for.

Her sword.

The goddess of white who stood in front of her wielded the same sword as before. Rather, this is what the oni, Ryuka Ryoma, wanted to believe. What was now in front of her was an oddly shaped sword with spiked edges along the side. Gone was the bright green katana she was familiar with and in came the dangerously shaped, new weapon of destruction.

There was only one thing Ryuka could say.

Ryuka: [Holy shit! That’s fucking cool as hell! How long have you had that?! How did you even make that?! I have so many questions!]

Shiro: [Storm was crafted by a close friend. From there, I molded it into the appearance it now has. Tempest. Once my ability is activated, my Storm becomes Tempest. When I first used this ability, I was unsure of how to make it my own.]

As Shiro continued to speak, Ryuka performed a reckless interruption and leaped towards her.

Ryuka: [Well don’t worry! I’ll show you exactly how to use it!]

With a single hand placed on the hilt of her katana, Ryuka attempted to slice down at Shiro’s head. Shiro’s stern gaze met her along with a quick swing of a parry from Tempest. Ryuka was launched into the air as she blocked, but what came next caught her off guard. A second attack had suddenly hit her sword from thin air. The force behind it far greater than the parry she dealt with a split second before. She now stood at the same location from before she charged forward.

Ryuka: [What…What was that–]

Shiro: [As I was saying. When I first used this ability, I was unsure of how to make it my own. But it’s been ten years since then. Ten years since I formed this ability, the same amount since I fought Daroma the Dark. I’ve had my fair share of training since then. What you’re now facing is my Tempest at its strongest. The first time I’ve needed to use it since that fight ten years ago.]

Ryuka looked at the grass below her and laughed.

Ryuka: [Hah. Well I guess I feel honored th–Huh?!]

Shiro: [Where are you looking?]

There was no time to finish talking. In a flash, Shiro was already in front of Ryuka. The moment Ryuka looked back up at her, their clash had started the same as always. However, Shiro was no longer the one on the defensive. She was no longer the one who was stepping back as quickly as she could to stay safe.

Ryuka was now the person placed into the role of backpedaling. Her ability was still active. Her skills were still sharp. But every time she attempted to counter Shiro, her blade was met with a second hit. She could not prevent it. She could not counter the hit. It did not exist yet it also did. Her only option was to not counter Shiro’s attacks, but that would only lead to her defeat.

She finally grasped her situation. Why Shiro wanted to use her ability following Ryuka’s own. Why she observed the ability in the first place.

Shiro wasn’t just trying to win. She knew her ability could counter Ryuka’s own counter focused ability. A double counter.

There wasn’t a single opening available to Ryuka. The only actions she could enact were the endless backward steps and the blocks she threw to incoming hits.

When she performed the same action to Shiro, there was enough room and time to counter with a strategy of her own. She was able to kick Ryuka within the small window. She had even thought of methods to deal with Ryuka’s counter.

There was no such thing for Ryuka herself. All that remained was the act of blocking. There was not a single hole within Shiro’s offense. Her double attack made it as such. If her sword only had a small difference in power, Ryuka would have likely been able to counter her. This sword, Tempest, was far more capable than she could have ever imagined.

Seconds turned to minutes as Ryuka continuously blocked everything that was sent at her. Her body was drenched in sweat and her eyes trembled over the fear of what may happen if she stopped. A stop was forced upon her however, as all of a sudden, Shiro spun around in a quick motion–

Shiro: [WORIYAH!]

Ryuka: [Ghk!...Gah! BAH!]

A swing far heavier in power than anything before was launched against her katana. Unable to fight against it, Ryuka and her blade were sent flying into the air. What then followed was a second impact with an even greater force. Her geta glided across the ground as she tried to regain her balance, but it was no use. No matter how hard she tried, she could not stop the immense pressure that was placed onto her. Eventually, her geta came to a grinding halt. A trail of ripped grass and dirt was spread out before her.

Her dark gray eyes moved up to meet the fearsome crimson gems across from her.

Shiro: [Are you giving up yet? You should know by now that you can’t win.]

A response was not given. Ryuka did not even move an inch nor did her surprised face change in the slightest. A deep sigh escaped Shiro’s lips as she prepared to use Tempest again.

Shiro: [Haaaaaah. Alright. Let’s go agai–...I’ve asked this a lot but…are you alright?]

She watched as Ryuka’s view changed from her, to the ship above her and back. A pattern that repeated continuously with every few seconds that passed.

Ryuka: [Maybe I should. I mean, if I do, I can have a fun little challenge whenever. Plus, I wanna get stronger. So it might be a good idea. Then again, maybe it wouldn’t happen. Would I even get stronger then? I guess there’s a few others and I don’t know what they’re like. Maybe they’d help me out a bit.]

Due to her question being ignored, Shiro’s patience started to wane. She closed her eyes and clenched her teeth, only to open them up with fury in her voice.

Shiro: [Are we fighting or are we not?!]

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

Ryuka: [Give me a minute! I’m thinking about some important stuff here!]

After answering in the same manner, Ryuka returned to her pondering.

Ryuka: [Right. Anyways. I guess I should also think about that, huh. I wonder if things would be alright, given bro is here. Unless he also decided on something similar. In which case, it’s kinda hard to choose. I don’t wanna remove any possible safety, but the idea of going along with this sounds kinda nice. Plus, maybe there’s some safety attached to the whole–Woah!]

Growing tired of waiting, Shiro zipped in front of Ryuka and continued the barrage.

Ryuka: [Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey! HEY! I wasn’t done yet!]

Shiro: [I’ve had enough of your pointless…thinking!]

Ryuka: [Ghnh!...Kcccccch! FUCK! That fucking stings! Shit!]

A slash far faster than any other ripped across Ryuka’s stomach. Though she dodged most of it, a clean wound was placed in the same fashion as Shiro’s own.

Ryuka: [The hell was that for?! Are you tryna decide for me or something?!]

Shiro: [What do you mean decide?! I have no idea what you’re talking about!]

Ignoring Shiro’s comment, Ryuka placed a hand against her burning injury.

Ryuka: [Fuck! That blade is scary! It’s definitely hot enough that it could have cut me in half from just a dull slash alone!]

With a quick slap of her cheeks, Ryuka fixed her posture and prepared herself to battle once more.

Ryuka: [Alright! Fine! Let’s get back to it! Round three…or four! Something like that!]

Before the two could charge at each other, a different battle altogether caught Ryuka’s attention. As she turned her sight to the side, she witnessed a familiar figure struggling to stand.

Ryuka: [Hey! Bro! What the hell happened?!]

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Standing atop a pillar was Ryuusei Ryoma. A male oni who had gained the upper hand against his opponent, the former ruler of the world, Devi Bloodfire. With his ok being given, Devi had activated her ability and their battle proceeded from there.

What Ryuusei did not understand was the woman who now stood atop the pillar in front of him. She was no different from before. Her appearance was largely the same with only one glaring difference. Her boots and sword. Both radiated a trail of fire that circled around her body and returned back to the item in question, before performing the exact same motion again.

Was this her ability? What exactly was it?

Not a single piece of information was given nor could he find the scraps of pieces hidden within her image. However, none of that mattered to Ryuusei Ryoma. There was one thing that mattered and it was his advantage in the game he had set up.

Only a single pillar remained. She would either need to jump to him which would only give him the opportunity to cut her down or she would need to jump away from him, which would provide the same result. Victory was assured from the moment she jumped to that very platform.

Ryuusei: [Even if you use whatever you have to your advantage, it changes nothing! This is the end!]

Ripping through the air with his cleaver-like sword, another projectile slash was sent towards the pillar.

Ryuusei’s consciousness did not catch up yet. There was still a moment it required to process what came next.

Devi…was no longer on the platform.

Instead, she was above, staring directly back at him. A single leg was reeled back and held up high in the air.

What then followed was Ryuusei’s mind registering that she had been there. The next action from Devi however was a kick that sent him spiraling downwards through his own pillar.

Ryuusei: [Gaaaaack!......AAAAAAAAAAAGGHHHHHH!]

Sharp rocks scraped his back as he descended to the ground. His clothes grew torn with every second that passed. All the while a fierce pain persisted in his jaw. The immense height of the pillar caused the pain to feel as though it was endless.

With a heavy thud against the ground came the end of his horrible pain. However, this was only the start of it. Devi followed close behind and met Ryuusei on the ground. Picking up his sword, he attempted to defend himself but was overwhelmed by the beautiful dance she performed.

A dance of fire and her powerful sword that prevented any chance to guard, any chance to dodge, any chance to even stand against her. From left to right, around and around, Devi’s body swayed to the beat of a song created by her blade.

This was the least of Ryuusei’s problems however. His biggest issue was that—

Ryuusei: [She’s getting better?! Ghk! Damn!]

Each of her elegant moves only sped up the dance more. With each increase in speed came an increase in power to match. Her contained flames before weren’t very far off from her ability at all, as the embers that celebrated the same dance created a much stronger Devi in return. An endless dance of charity between Devi and the fire that surrounded her.

Her previous title, the ruler of the world, was now solidified. This was a woman who required very little in order to defeat her foes. She even had an advanced ability in reserve that she had yet to use.

This entire battle was a grave miscalculation to Ryuusei. Those that surrounded Devi had seemed so weak in comparison that it distorted what he imagined her strength would be like. From the start, Ryuusei did not stand a chance against her. But he now understood his role. He understood why he was not stopped.

He was a test. A test to see what Devi Bloodfire was capable of.

He could no longer keep up with her dance. His guard lost all of its durability.

With a fierce strike to his sword, Ryuusei was launched into the air and slid across the dirt. Not a single grunt left his mouth. He was already aware of his loss in its entirety. There was no point in trying.

Slowly, he raised himself to a single knee. His sword supported his weight as he tried to stand, but even the strength for that had shattered into nothing.

Ryuusei: [Not...Not yet!…I can still…I can still fight!]

In the midst of attempting to stand, a voice called out to him.

???: [Hey! Bro! What the hell happened?!]

His eyes drifted over to the familiar sound. He was met with the sister only a few years younger than him.

Ryuusei: [Ryuka…]

Ryuka: [Do you need help or something?! I can get the medical team down here and–]

Ryuusei: [I’m fine, Ryuka. Worry about your own fight for now.]

Ryuka: [Bullshit you’re fine! You took a massive beating there, didn’t you?! You need some serious help! Just fall back for now and I’ll handle the two of them!]

A visible anger started to corrupt his face.

Ryuusei: [Are you saying this out of genuine concern or are you still trying to build a name for yourself?]

Ryuka: [I’m being serious here! I’m worried about how you’re holding up!]

Ryuusei: [If you have time to worry then you have time to fight! Focus on your own battle and I’ll focus on mine!]

Ryuka: [You’re pushing yourself too much!]

Ryuusei: [And you’re not pushing yourself enough! Why did you even join if you aren’t focused on what’s important?!]

Ryuka: [Are you still worried about the Ryuji shit?! I already told you! I’m focusing on her as well here!]

Ryuusei: [IF YOU CARED ABOUT HER, YOU WOULD HAVE STAYED HOME!]

Ryuka: [IF YOU CARED ABOUT HER, THEN WHY DIDN’T YOU FIGHT BA–]

Their conversation was interrupted by a sudden crash behind them. A crash that overpowered everything else in sound alone.

From the immense cloud of smoke, a chilling voice rang out.

???: [Ryomas, return to the ship.]

They turned to face the voice.

A man adorned in black marched towards them. With narrow eyes and an incredibly well built body, he set his sights on the former ruler in front of him.

Nero: [I will deal with this.]

As he passed the two, a bitter comment escaped Ryuusei’s lips.

Ryuusei: [Tch. Of course. This bastard is the one who’s gonna gut her. I was just a toy for her to play with in the meantime. Ghk!]

Ryuka: [Bro!]

Losing the grip he had on his sword, Ryuusei fell towards the grass. Before he could reach it however, Ryuka quickly rushed over and supported her brother. Placing an arm over her shoulder, she lifted him off the ground while he picked his sword back up.

With a somber voice, he spoke to her.

Ryuusei: [Ryuka…]

Ryuka: [Yeah?]

Ryuusei: [I’m…sorry about that…as well as that moment on the ship. I shouldn’t have said that to you…You’re right…I should have fought back…I’m a coward for not doing so…]

Though she smiled many times while on the battlefield, Ryuka’s smile was now formed with kindness in her heart.

Ryuka: [I guess that just makes both of us idiots then!]

The same smile was placed across Ryuusei’s somber look.

Ryuusei: [Hehe…Yeah…I guess so…Let’s get back for now…]

Using her matōki, Ryuka held onto her brother as tightly as she could while floating towards the warship.

All that remained was a god that replaced the two. A god that reeked of blood and death.

Shiro allowed her wings to form and briefly ascended into the air. She then landed directly beside Devi as she readied her stance.

Shiro: [Devi! Are you alright?]

Devi: [I’m fine. What about you?]

Shiro: [I guess I could be better…]

Releasing her gaze from Devi, Shiro looked towards the man who approached them.

Shiro: [I’m not even sure if I’ll be ready for this…]

Though they were only two at first, a third succubus joined in beside Devi.

Tequi: [I’ve handled most of the people around us. From here on out, I’ll help you two with him! All we need is the three of us to overpower him!]

The two smiled at the sight of a familiar face joining in.

Shiro: [Thanks, Tequi. It really means a lot to have you helping us out.]

Tequi: [Aw shucks! You’re gonna make me blush!]

A pink bow made of matōki then appeared in Tequi’s hands and was pulled back. Devi and Shiro braced themselves for what would soon arrive.

In a cracked reflection, the man presented his large greatsword being held by only one arm. He then cracked his neck without his hands and wrinkled the top of his nose.

The battlefield became deafeningly silent, for He had arrived.

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