Some hours later, in the midst of the midmorning sun, Hoffmann basks in the warmth of the Japanese summer as he combs the smooth pebbles of the Zen garden to shape, with Xinobu nearby lounging on a cross-legged stool to observe his work.

“Ah, yes, the ancient martial art of slightly moving rocks.” Hoffmann grumbled.

Xinobu displays his prowess in the area of flowing Chi to his will by pelting Hoffmann in the back of the head with one of said pebbles telekinetically. He rolled his eyes and continued his work as Xinobu drank a Mai Tai through a straw. Yes, it is somehow fitting through his mask.

After some time of this, Hoffmann gave pause to look up at the sky and get a rough gauge of the time, lacking a watch or nearby clock. The Sun was occluded for the moment by a pastel colored oily red cloud of-...wait.

Flinching, Hoffmann stared at the sky as blots of red skewed the white canvas fabric of soft clouds above, filling the sky as the bloody mist turned the area above them ever darker. Hoffmann pelted Xinobu in turn with a pebble, who nearly spilled his drink, roused from slumber as he ripped a magazine off his mask.

The glinting naginata meets the rough palms of Xinobu in moments as he glances to the sky, joining Hoffmann’s side as he squares his stance, as if preparing for an enemy to pounce at any moment.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

“You feel that? You know what’s coming?” Hoffmann asked, smoothly putting his hands up.

“No. But I do feel it. The ebb and flow of the wind was disturbed.”

Hoffmann scoffed. “Bit more than that, Xin. Fight like Hell. They will.”

“They?” Xinobu started.

“Demons.”

Hoffmann knew this was the beginning of something fierce. He had fought the horde of the damned before, and his status notwithstanding, he knew the vanguard of the black and vile ones would not be keen to a peaceable talk. These were animals. Elementals of human sin and vitriol, little more than beasts with the intent to kill.

“Xinobu. Ready yourself,” Hoffmann said as he went back to back with his ally. “They will not wait for you. I will explain why this is happening after it is over. Less talking, more punching, and longer steps more often.”

Xinobu carried himself well as he stepped into the open, roaring in challenge as Sohei’s battle cry. Silence fell upon the land as the demons, seemingly from all directions, screamed at them in return, baying for blood like a pack of wolves as they made their charge.