"End of the line, Yamada."
Ten meters.
Ten mere meters was the distance that separated them.
Miniscule in scale, yet more than enough to tip the scales of fate and destiny.
"So it's come to this, Kagami."
Cornered against an imposing tree, a spectacled man took a stance, his feet drawing a half-circle on coarse dirt.
His pursuer, a crimson-eyed demon from the depths of purgatory, hung his blade over his right shoulder.
Do or die.
Life or death.
Triumph or defeat.
Caught between a rock and a hard place, escape was not an option — not that he had any intentions of doing so to begin with.
His spirit roared for confrontation; his sadness, retribution; his pride, victory.
'gainst the ghost of his past, he could but only face the inevitable.
Combat.
A duel to close the chapter on their conflict.
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Transcending all forms of reason, in a place beyond earth and heaven.
━━━Kakuriyo, the unseen realm.
In a world occupied solely by they, only one could walk away.
"...I see. Protecting the tamatebako has allowed destiny to catch up with me at last."
Neither grief nor anger remained in his soul.
Leaking from every word was his determination; his resolve.
"If you are my fated opponent, then let it be so."
So it was to be.
No matter the result, their sorrowful saga was to conclude.
From then on, Yamada Akira was to bring down his full might against Kagami Shiki.
In a quiet clearing forgotten, two nemeses steeled against the other — grasped their instruments of power.
Watching with hawk-like vigilance was a devil in human form, prepped to cleave in singular strokes.
Knowing full well of his foe's strength, the jeweled box's guardian poised to strike━━━
He erupted into motion.
One!
So he told himself.
One trade called the curtain's fall.
Like a mighty arrow, he shot across the clearing; his armament aimed at his plexus.
Faster than the eye, his expedient assault was far too swift for his infernal opponent to match.
Unable to even strike back, Akira's victory was all but assured.
In but a single blow, a titan indominable fell.
And with him, an age of tyranny.
"━━━━You fuck! That hurt!"
TWACK!
...If only the guardian could see a kick to the balls coming though.