The evening came to a close as the moon rose high in the sky, casting a silvery glow over the landscape.

“What’s your name?” Akimitsu asked, his voice soft yet firm.

“It’s Rei,” she replied, her eyes glinting in the moonlight.

Akimitsu and Rei stood poised, each waiting for the perfect moment to draw their swords. The delicate silence was broken only by the gentle rustling of leaves. Suddenly, a single cherry blossom petal detached from its branch, drifting lazily to the ground as if signaling the onset of battle.

“It’s my turn,” Rei declared, her voice resolute.

With the fluid grace of a snake slithering through the grass, she moved. In an instant, the tip of her sword was at Akimitsu’s head.

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Slash...

Her blade sliced through the air, passing through Akimitsu’s head as though he were nothing more than mist. Staggering back, Rei’s eyes widened in shock.

“I can’t hit him? Why can’t I hit him? My sword... it’s not making contact. Has his body turned to water? Why did my sword pass right through?” she thought.

Akimitsu smiled serenely. “Is that all, Rei? It’s my turn now, isn’t it?”

He began to draw his sword. As his fingers brushed the hilt, the blade seemed to liquefy, shimmering as if ice. Unmei, the Sword of Destiny, felt alive in his grip. Its ethereal glow reflected the moonlight, casting an otherworldly light on the scene. Rei stood firm, her own blade unwavering.

“What kind of sword is that? I’ve heard it decides destiny, but I never knew it harbored a sea spirit,” Rei pondered. “But that won’t stop me from taking you down!”

“Alright,” Akimitsu thought, his resolve unwavering.

He advanced towards her. Sensing the urgency, Rei moved to intercept him. She knew she couldn’t afford to give Akimitsu any openings. He struck first; she dodged nimbly.

Glancing back, she saw him standing calmly before her, his blue eyes captivating her.

“He has blue eyes? What is that in his eyes?” she wondered, taking a closer look.

Within his gaze, she saw it—a vast, stormy sea with waves as tall as mountains. Amidst the chaos, a colossal creature emerged from the depths, its eyes opening slowly.

The moment their eyes met, terror gripped her heart. Overwhelmed, Rei’s vision darkened, and she collapsed to the ground.

“You need some rest,” Akimitsu said gently, his voice echoing in the night.