-TAKES PLACE WHEN HIKARI WAS FORCEFULLY TURNED INTO A INNER DEMON-

Hikari's eyes fluttered open, her mind clouded with confusion and a deep-seated darkness. The presence of her friends surrounding her only fueled the inner turmoil, and she lashed out without hesitation. Her attacks struck Kazuki, the one who stood closest, with a devastating force.

Kenji Oharu, the Demon King, watched with a twisted grin as chaos unfolded. Hikari's inner demon threatened to consume her completely, but a flicker of hope remained. Kazuki, despite the pain, wrapped his arms around Hikari, holding her tightly.

With tears in his eyes, Kazuki spoke with a voice filled with love and determination. "Hikari, I love you. Remember who you are. You're stronger than this darkness. Fight it, and reclaim your true self."

Hikari's eyes, filled with a mix of confusion and pain, met Kazuki's gaze. His words pierced through the darkness that clouded her mind, reaching the deepest recesses of her soul. The power of their bond sparked a flicker of strength within her.

Gathering her resolve, Hikari fought against the inner demon that threatened to consume her. With sheer willpower, she regained control of her own body and mind. The chaotic energy surrounding her began to subside, replaced by a newfound clarity.

The room fell into a stunned silence as Hikari's inner demon was subdued. Her eyes shimmered with a mix of relief and determination. She had not succumbed to the darkness completely. With her friends by her side, she would stand strong and confront the challenges that lay ahead.

Kazuki held Hikari tightly, their embrace a symbol of love, support, and unwavering devotion. It was a testament to their bond, stronger than any darkness that threatened to tear them apart.

The Faded Petals Arc began anew, marked by Hikari's resurgence and the rekindling of hope. The journey ahead would be filled with trials and sacrifices, but with their unity and love, they would face the darkness head-on, determined to overcome the trials that awaited them.

As Hikari and Kazuki stood united, their spirits rekindled, Kenji seized the opportunity to strike. With a sinister grin, he lunged toward Utano, his eyes gleaming with malice. Utano, caught off guard, attempted to defend herself, but Kenji's speed and power were overwhelming.

In a flash, Kenji's blade pierced through Utano's defenses, drawing forth a spray of crimson blood. Utano cried out in pain, her strength faltering as she fell to her knees. Kenji wasted no time, drawing upon the dark energy within Utano's blood, channeling it to transform into his final, terrifying demon form.

A surge of power coursed through Kenji's veins as his body underwent a grotesque metamorphosis. His once-human features twisted and contorted, his limbs elongating and becoming adorned with wicked spikes and talons. The room was consumed by an eerie aura, the very air crackling with malevolence.

Hikari's heart sank as she witnessed the tragedy that unfolded before her. Her fists clenched with rage, her eyes burning with determination. She vowed to avenge Utano and end Kenji's reign of terror once and for all.

Kazuki, his voice filled with raw emotion, shouted, "Utano, stay with us! We won't let your sacrifice be in vain. Hikari, we have to defeat him together. Our strength lies in our unity!"

Hikari nodded, her gaze never wavering from the monstrous form of Kenji. "We won't let him get away with this," she declared, her voice laced with a newfound resolve. "For Utano and all those who have suffered under his tyranny, we will bring an end to his darkness."

With their determination renewed, Hikari and Kazuki prepared to face the ultimate challenge. The final battle against Kenji, now in his terrifying demon form, loomed before them. Their hearts filled with sorrow, anger, and unwavering determination, they would fight until their last breath to protect the ones they loved and rid the world of Kenji's malevolence.

(Play Hikari's Theme -> Afterglow by Yanakoto Sotto Mute)

Hikari's eyes burned with determination as she propelled herself towards Kenji, her blade poised to strike. With a swift and powerful motion, she unleashed a devastating blow, aiming to pierce through the heart of the Demon King. The clash of their blades reverberated through the chamber, a testament to their unyielding resolve.

Kazuki, witnessing the pivotal moment from afar, realized the truth: Kenji must have a weakness, a vulnerability they could exploit. But before he could act on his realization, Nari's voice cut through the chaos, tinged with sadness.

"Goodbye, Kazuki," she whispered, her words carrying a weight of finality. Without hesitation, Nari unleashed a powerful demon art, warping Kazuki to Hikari's side. In that fleeting moment, she entrusted him with the task of supporting their friend, of being her strength when she needed it most.

Left behind, Nari made her decision. With a resolute expression, she activated her demon hunter art, a technique known to unleash the full power of her inner demons. It was a sacrifice she was willing to make, knowing that by doing so, she would eliminate not only herself but also the darkness that threatened their world.

As the demonic energy surged within her, Nari's body became enveloped in an otherworldly aura. Time seemed to stand still as she stared defiantly at the approaching inner demons. The chamber crackled with intense energy as Nari's resolve reached its zenith.

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Then, with an explosion of power, Nari's body self-destructed, her being consumed by the flames of her own sacrifice. The impact reverberated through the chamber, engulfing the inner demons and obliterating them in an instant.

Nari's body froze momentarily, suspended in time, before collapsing lifelessly to the ground. Her sacrifice had extinguished her existence, but her legacy burned brightly in the hearts of those she had fought alongside.

Kazuki, having been warped to Hikari's side, witnessed Nari's sacrifice and felt the weight of her loss. Grief and determination welled up within him, strengthening his resolve to fight alongside Hikari and honor Nari's sacrifice.

Hikari, her heart heavy with the loss of her dear friend, channeled her grief into unwavering determination. She would not let Nari's sacrifice be in vain. With newfound resolve, she focused her energy and unleashed her true power, embracing the strength within her to face Kenji head-on.

The battle raged on, the clash of blades and the crackle of energy echoing through the chamber. Hikari, fueled by her grief and determination, fought with a fervor and intensity that matched the darkness within Kenji.

The Faded Petals Arc reached its climactic point, marked by sacrifice, grief, and a fierce determination to bring an end to the darkness that plagued their world. As Kazuki stood at Hikari's side, they vowed to fight together, honoring the memory of their fallen comrade, Nari, and facing the ultimate test of their strength and resilience.

With their hearts united and their determination unwavering, Kazuki and Hikari unleashed their full power upon Kenji Ohara. Their attacks were relentless, each strike fueled by a burning desire to put an end to his reign of darkness. The clash of blades echoed through the chamber, a symphony of determination and fury.

Kenji, his own powers diminished, fought back with all his remaining strength. The battle reached its climax, the air crackling with the clash of energies and the weight of their shared destinies.

As the battle raged on, Kazuki found himself locked in a deadly exchange with Kenji. Their blades clashed with a resounding force, their spirits and strength matched in intensity. Each blow they exchanged pushed them to their limits, a testament to their unwavering resolve.

But in a moment of desperation, Kenji unleashed a devastating strike, catching Kazuki off guard. The blade pierced through Kazuki's defenses, and pain seared through his body. His strength faltered, and he staggered back, blood staining his clothes.

Hikari's eyes widened in horror and fury as she witnessed the attack on her beloved. The darkness within her surged, fueling her power and determination. With a primal roar, she unleashed a devastating assault upon Kenji, pouring all her strength and rage into each strike.

Their final clash was a cataclysmic explosion of energy, the echoes of their battle reverberating through the chamber. Hikari's power surged, overwhelming Kenji's dwindling defenses. She pushed forward, refusing to yield, until finally, she delivered a decisive blow that shattered Kenji's remaining strength.

Kenji, his body wracked with pain, realized his impending defeat. In a final act of desperation, he summoned every ounce of his remaining power, channeling it into one last attack. With a vicious strike, he directed his attack at Kazuki, determined to take him down with him.

Kazuki, his vision blurred by pain, forced himself to move. In a moment of sheer willpower, he intercepted the attack, shielding Hikari from harm. The force of the blow was immense, and Kazuki felt his strength slipping away.

Hikari's eyes widened in anguish as she watched Kazuki sacrifice himself for her. Tears streamed down her face as she fought against the pain, against the overwhelming darkness threatening to consume her. She gathered her remaining strength, her voice trembling but filled with determination.

"Kazuki... I won't let your sacrifice be in vain. I will carry on your strength and end this darkness once and for all."

With a final surge of power, Hikari channeled all her energy into one decisive strike. The combined forces of her and Kazuki's power overwhelmed Kenji, breaking through his defenses and delivering the final blow.

Kenji Ohara, the Demon King, fell to the ground, defeated. His reign of darkness was finally extinguished, but at a tremendous cost.

Hikari knelt beside Kazuki, her hands trembling as she cradled his battered form. Tears streamed down her face as she whispered brokenly, "Thank you... for everything. I promise... I'll carry on your will."

The chamber fell into a heavy silence, the weight of loss and victory mingling in the air. The Faded Petals Arc had reached its climactic conclusion, marked by sacrifice, sorrow, and the triumph of light over darkness. The journey was far from over, but Hikari was determined to honor Kazuki's sacrifice and forge a path towards a brighter future.

As Kazuki's life slowly slipped away, Hikari knelt by his side, her heart heavy with sorrow. Tears cascaded down her face as she leaned in, pressing a tender kiss upon his lips. It was a bittersweet farewell, a final act of love and gratitude for the one who had fought by her side.

With Kazuki's last breath, a profound emptiness enveloped Hikari. She knew that from this moment on, she would be burdened with the weight of her inner demon state, a constant reminder of the sacrifices made and the losses endured. The curse would forever be a part of her existence, a haunting reminder of the battles fought and the friends lost.

Days passed, filled with a somber and heavy silence. Hikari, now burdened with grief and the weight of her curse, stood before the graves of her fallen friends. The wind whispered softly, carrying the echoes of their laughter and shared moments, now forever lost to time.

With trembling hands, Hikari carefully placed each of their names upon their respective graves. Teruma, Kazuki, Nari, and Utano. Their names etched into stone, their memories etched into her heart. She whispered their names, her voice choked with sadness and regret.

"I'm sorry... I couldn't protect you. I will carry your memories with me, always. You will never be forgotten."

A single tear fell, mingling with the earth beneath her feet. She mourned not only their deaths but also the future they could have had, the moments that would never be shared.

Alone and burdened by the weight of loss, Hikari felt a sense of emptiness pervading her soul. The world around her seemed muted, the colors faded. The journey she had embarked upon had exacted a heavy toll, leaving her in solitude and darkness.

But amidst the desolation, a flicker of determination burned within her. Hikari knew that she must carry on, for her fallen friends, for herself, and for the world they had fought to protect. With the weight of her curse upon her shoulders, she vowed to forge a path forward, seeking solace and redemption in the face of overwhelming sorrow.

The wind whispered through the gravestones, carrying with it a promise of a new beginning. Hikari stood tall, her resolve unwavering. She would honor the memories of her friends, even as she grappled with her own inner demons. Their spirits would guide her, their memories fueling her determination to find a glimmer of light amidst the darkness.

With one final look at the graves of her beloved friends, Hikari turned her back on the past. It was time to embrace her destiny, to navigate the treacherous path ahead, and to find a way to carry on amidst the faded petals of her shattered world.

----END OF SERIES----