Chapter Thirty-Six

'I'd Let the World Burn'

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Silence. Nothing but silence whispered in Tartarus.

Enoxon, the sorcerer, standing over the body of the once-known Reaper, Snow.

Lord Mundus hovering in the air, his eyes red with hatred.

Then there was Kurai.

Kurai stood, frozen for a moment, as the realization of Snow's demise hit him like a tidal wave. His heart pounded in his chest, each beat echoing the emptiness left by the severed contract. His eyes, once sharp and calculating, now brimmed with a fire that threatened to consume him entirely.

The air around him crackled with energy as his rage began to manifest. His form shimmered, and flames licked at his skin, turning his once sleek fur into a fiery mantle. Kurai's growl rumbled through the desolate battlefield, a mournful sound filled with an unquenchable fury.

He turned his gaze skyward to the menacing figure of Mundus, who hovered above, seemingly untouched by the devastation below. The portals to Tartarus, the Underworld, the Human Realm, and the Celestial Realm stood as ominous gateways to chaos

, but Kurai's focus was set—targets were in two separate places: the sorcerer who took Snow's life and the Demon who orchestrated all of this.

"It's done, my brother!" Mundus's voice was loud with excitement. The portals are opened, and you… you are free of your contract!" His voice was haunting.

"Free?" Kurai's voice was low as he continued to stare at the body in front of him. "You… You were… The Demon this entire time," his eyes were wide with wickedness. You… You took everything," he whispered, his voice laced with venom. You…"

"Lost for words, I see?" Mundus roared through Tartarus. "Your pact - it's done. The Reaper line - it is dead. You are free. Free to consume to your likes. The Council will erase everything that has happened here - allowing you to freely feed on the humans from the Realm. Allowing us," He motioned, now flying in front of the portals to the Underworld. "Allowing us to be free." His tone was toxic and full of hatred. "You and I are the same, Brother. We are the Demon Lords of the Underworld."

Kurai's flames dimmed momentarily as the weight of Mundus's words sank in. The betrayal was more profound than any physical wound. "You've become twisted, Mundus," he said, his voice heavy with sorrow. "We were supposed to protect, to uphold the balance. And now, you've torn it apart for your own gain."

Mundus's eyes flashed with anger. "Protect? Balance?" he spat. "Those are the lies we were fed. We were always meant for more. Power is our destiny, Kurai. Embrace it."

"No," he whispered, his heart aching with the memory of Snow, her gentle spirit, and unwavering faith in the Underworld. "Snow believed in the entirety of the Underworld—she believed in you and me."

Mundus's laugh was cold and mocking. "She was a fool - just like you," He sneered. "She's weak," He said as he raised the woman's body from the ground to float just a few feet away from him. "She was weak, and now… She's dead. Accept it. This is our true nature."

Kurai's flames reignited as he watched the Demon pick up the woman's lifeless body, his glare cold at his brother. "I wanted none of this," He spat to the Demon.

"Are you sure? You've spent all that time following me like the lost cub you are," Mundus spat.

"The only reason I'd ever follow you was to destroy you," Kurai's voice growled.

"Aww," Mundus said, giving him a taunting sad look. "But I'm not the one who ended the life of your beloved," He said, mocking him and glancing at Enoxon, who was a few feet away, his eyes still widened at what just happened. "Don't be weak, Brother."

"I am not, nor will I ever be, your brother, Mundus." Kurai's voice rippled through the stone.

"Oh, I'm hurt!" Mundus replied, feigning dramatic pain as he casually tossed Snow's body near the altar. "After all those years, I helped you gain your wonderful fiery tails, guiding you with the power I have to ensure your safety and power."

“You are not Mundus,” Kurai snarled. "You are nothing but a false demon lord! You took my entire tribe—my family, my everything—from me!"

"I did it for you, Brother. They were going to hunt you and kill you. I stepped in and killed them before they had the chance—acknowledging the power you had. I knew everything about you before you met your little Reaper."

"I am going to enjoy destroying you, as you destroyed everything I had!" Kurai's voice howled up to the Demon.

"And who do you think allowed me to be free, Kurai?" Mundus's gaze trailed once more to Enoxon. "I'd speak to your friend over there, the one who killed your little Reaper," Mundus said as he turned his back to the ground and focused on the portals, his hands outstretched as he began to finish the ritual. "Enoxon, be a good sorcerer and finish this—as you had finished Snow. We need access to the Reaper's Realm."

Enoxon, his face a mask of cold determination, took a step back, momentarily shaken by the raw power emanating from Kurai. But his resolve did not waver. "It had to be done," he replied, his voice devoid of emotion. "For the greater good."

Kurai's flames flared even more fiercely, his eyes locking onto Enoxon with an intensity that could melt steel. "The greater good? You think sacrificing innocent lives is justifiable?"

Enoxon's eyes hardened. "Sacrifices must be made for progress, Kurai. Snow's death, your tribe's end—it was all necessary to bring about a new order."

Kurai's heart ached with the weight of those words, but his resolve did not falter. "Your new order is built on lies and blood. I will not let you or Mundus turn this world into a kingdom of darkness."

Mundus laughed, his voice echoing through the Realm. "You can't stop us, Kurai. The portals are almost fully open. The chaos will spread, and we will reign supreme."

Kurai's heart ached with the weight of those words, but his resolve did not falter. "Your new order is built on lies and blood. I will not let you or Mundus turn this world into a kingdom of darkness. You're as bad as Nova."

Enoxon smirked, dark energy swirling around his hands. "Then you will perish with the old world."

With a roar, Kurai lunged at Enoxon, his fiery aura blazing brighter than ever. Enoxon retaliated, launching bolts of dark energy that collided with Kurai's flames, creating explosions that rocked the ground beneath them.

"You were always too sentimental, Kurai!" Enoxon shouted over the chaos. "That's why you will lose!"

Kurai dodged a bolt of dark energy and retaliated with a wave of fire, forcing Enoxon to conjure a shield. "And you were always too blinded by power, Enoxon! That's why you will fall!"

Enoxon snarled, breaking through Kurai's flames with dark magic. "Power is the only thing that matters in this world! Snow understood that in the end! You saw that, and you know exactly why she did it - just like any other 'hero,'" his voice sneered, quickly shifting in and out of Tartarus and upwards as if he were flying almost. "She embraced the darkness - it was calling her, tempting - and she did it. She did it despite all the warnings. I tried to warn her, Astaroth tried to warn her, even her stupid scythe did!"

"That's not true!" Kurai roared as his flames flared even higher and hotter. "She wouldn't do that!"

"Oh, but she did," Enoxon said, "And what a beautiful sight it was - her skin, her eyes, everything about her Demon, beautiful. You're just deluding yourself, Kurai. She gave in because she knew the only way to survive was to gain more power. She chose the power over Tartarus."

"You corrupted her," Kurai's voice sounded amid his flames.

"Believe what you want," Enoxon laughed, a cold, hollow sound that echoed through Tartarus. "She saw power as the true path, just like every other demon."

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With a roar, Kurai unleashed a torrent of flames, forcing Enoxon to conjure another shield. "You're wrong, Enoxon! She believes in Hope - and a better future - to help the Underworld. She wanted to help them. She wanted to help the souls."

Enoxon's eyes flashed angrily as he said, "Hope is a fool's game, Kurai! Power is the only thing that can change the world."

The two clashed again, their energies colliding in a fierce explosion. Kurai's flames burned hotter, fueled by his unwavering belief in Snow's ideals. Enoxon's dark energy crackled with malevolence, driven by his lust for power.

"You will never understand, Enoxon," Kurai said, his voice steady despite the raging battle. "Snow's strength came from her heart, not from the darkness. She fought for those she loved, not for power."

Enoxon sneered, launching a barrage of dark bolts. "And look where it got her! Dead at my feet!" A huge, wicked grin appeared on his face.

Kurai dodged the bolts, his flames dancing around him like a protective aura. "Her sacrifice was meant to save the world from the likes of a shitty person named Enoxon!" He snapped, jumping once more at Enoxon.

"You will fall, just as she did," Enoxon's face twisted in fury as he replied coldly.

With a mighty roar, Enoxon conjured a massive wave of dark energy, hurling it at Kurai. Kurai braced himself, his flames forming a barrier around him as the dark energy crashed against it. He leaped into the air and bounced back and forth as if climbing an invisible staircase. Now, the fox spirit was up high in the air, glaring at the sorcerer down below.

Kurai's flames intensified, casting a fiery glow over the battlefield. "If power is all you understand, let's see how you handle this!"

With a swift motion, Kurai descended from the sky, his fiery tails trailing behind him like comet streaks. He aimed a powerful fireball directly at Enoxon, who barely dodged it. The ground where it struck erupted into flames.

Enoxon retaliated with a barrage of dark bolts. Still, Kurai was too fast, weaving through the air with agility and precision. "You can't hit what you can't catch, Enoxon!"

Kurai landed gracefully, his feet touching the ground with a lightness that belied his power. He summoned a ring of fire around him, the flames dancing and crackling with intensity. "It's over, Enoxon. Surrender, and I may let you live."

Enoxon's eyes blazed with defiance. "Never! I will never bow to you or your ideals!"

"Then," Kurai's dark spirit sounded, "You will die."

With a guttural growl, Enoxon unleashed a torrent of dark energy. Still, Kurai's ring of fire shielded him from the attack. The two forces clashed, creating a maelstrom of energy that lit up the night sky.

"You're strong, Enoxon," Kurai admitted, his voice steady amidst the chaos. "But your strength is tainted by darkness."

Enoxon's laughter was harsh and bitter. "And your strength is weakened by your foolish ideals!"

With a final push, Kurai's flames overwhelmed Enoxon's dark energy, engulfing the sorcerer in a blaze of light. Enoxon screamed, his body writhing in the flames as they consumed him.

Kurai's heart ached as he watched Enoxon fall, but he knew it was necessary. "Goodbye, Enoxon. May you find peace in the next life."

As Enoxon's form crumbled to the ground, defeated, Kurai turned his gaze to Mundus. The demon lord's face was a mask of fury and fear.

"Ah, you are so right, my brother. Because I have what I need." Mundus smirked, dark energy swirling around him. "The ancient artifact, the Heart of the Reaper. With it, I can access the Reaper's Realm."

Kurai's eyes widened as he realized Mundus's plan. "You can't be serious," He growled.

Mundus laughed, a sinister sound that echoed across the battlefield. "And that is why I will succeed where others have failed. With the Heart of the Reaper, I will command the souls of the damned and rule all realms! Tartarus, the Human Realm, the Celestial Realm, and the Reaper's Realm will be under my control."

Kurai stood tall, his flames swirling around him like a protective aura. "This ends now, Mundus. For Snow, for my tribe, and for the future of all realms."

Mundus's eyes blazed with rage. "You fool!" he roared. "You cannot stop what has already begun!"

Kurai's resolve hardened. "Watch me," he said, his voice steady and resolute.

With a mighty roar, Kurai charged at Mundus. The demon lord countered with a wave of dark energy, and the two forces clashed with an explosive impact. Kurai's flames battled against Mundus's darkness, each trying to overpower the other.

Just as it seemed Kurai was gaining the upper hand, Mundus unleashed a hidden reserve of power, striking Kurai with a bolt of dark energy that sent him crashing to the ground. Kurai struggled to rise; his body weakened, but his spirit was unbroken.

"You're pathetic, brother. I'll wait for you to realize your true potential."

Kurai tried to rise, but his strength failed him. He watched helplessly as Mundus vanished into the shadows with Enoxon.

As the battlefield fell silent, Kurai's flames flickered weakly. He knew the fight was not over and would need to gather his strength for future battles. He held onto the Hope that light could prevail even in the darkest times.

The Firefox, weak from the battle, watched with blurry vision as Mundus disappeared into the shadows, the portals beginning to close behind him. His fiery tails lay limp, and his once-brilliant flames flickered weakly. Kurai's heart pounded, frustration and desperation flooding his senses.

Fox-Boy, get the hell up! A voice hissed urgently in his mind. Get up!

Kurai's head spun, trying to gain focus. His fox form, battered and bruised, had forced him out of it, and he now lay on the ground in his human form. Every muscle ached, and his vision wavered, but he knew the voice was right.

There may still be Hope, please. I'm too young to die. In case you're wondering, it's me, Noxaris, her scythe. Just so you don't go crazy.

"Snow!" Kurai's voice cracked with desperation as he rushed to her side, ignoring the scythe. His heart was pounding in his chest. He dropped to his knees beside her, his hands trembling as he gently turned her over. Her face was pale, and her body was cold to the touch.

"No, no, no..." Kurai muttered, his voice shaking. He had to try something, anything, to save her. He ripped the side of her shirt, exposing her bra and the original wound and mark from Mundus. The sight of the wound sent a shiver down his spine, but he couldn't afford to hesitate.

Placing his hands on the wound, Kurai closed his eyes and concentrated, pushing out whatever little magic he had left to help her. His flames flickered weakly, but he focused all his energy on cauterizing and sealing the wound, hoping to stop any further bleeding. He worked the magic through her veins, leading up and down to the most injured places, but the wound remained stubbornly unresponsive.

These weren't regular wounds. No, Enoxon had used a special weapon that drained life essence. His black magic had inflicted damage far beyond physical wounds, sapping the very life out of Snow. Kurai's heart sank as he realized the gravity of the situation. Everything he tried, every ounce of magic he poured into her, couldn't get her to budge.

"Come on, Snow," Kurai whispered. "I need you. Please wake up," he said, trying to listen to any life.

Desperation clawed at him. Was he not strong enough?

Life Essence. Noxaris replied. If you want any hope of returning her, you must use your life essence. It will shorten your life, but it may work. The scythe hissed to him, and suddenly, it appeared in Snow's lifeless hand. You need to try—this cannot be the end of the Reaper—especially if it's on my watch. Do you know how embarrassing that is?

"Life Essence?" Kurai asked, gazing at the scythe with the demon eye staring back at him angrily.

It's now or never, lover-boy.

"How?"

Your fox. You may be a nogitsune, but your tails resemble a Kitsune. You can use that of your life essence - just be warned, it can significantly hurt you and your own life.

"What? How?!"

Shut up and just do it.

Kurai took a deep breath, focusing on his energy reservoir. He placed his hands on either side of Snow's wound, closing his eyes and channeling his essence into her. He imagined his energy flowing into her body, filling the void left by Enoxon's attack.

"Please, let this work," Kurai whispered, his voice filled with Hope and determination. He could feel the strain on his own body as he poured more and more of his essence into her, but he didn't care. Snow's life was worth any sacrifice.

Minutes passed, each one feeling like an eternity. Kurai's vision blurred, his strength waning, but he refused to stop. He dug deep into the essence of his kitsune spirit, drawing from the power in his tails. The energy flowed through him, a brilliant yet ethereal light, and he directed it into Snow.

As he continued, Kurai felt a sharp pain searing through his own body. He knew this was the cost Noxaris had warned him about; using his life essence would shorten his lifespan. But he didn't waver. Snow's life was entwined with his, and he would do anything to bring her back.

Then, he noticed a slight twitch in Snow's eye. His heart leaped with a glimmer of Hope. He pressed his ear to her chest and listened intently. There it was, an extremely slow and low "ba-dump." Ba-dump. Her heart was still beating, but at this rate, not for long.

Good, Good. Now, bring her to Astaroth - he will help.

Deep down, Kurai knew he wouldn't save her on his own. This was temporary. He needed to get help fast. Determination surged through him as he realized what he had to do next.

With a deep breath, Kurai shifted back into his fiery fox form, his body enveloped in shimmering flames. The heat radiated from him, warming Snow's body to keep her alive. He knew he had to act quickly. "How will Astaroth help?" He questioned the scythe.

Just trust me.

With a quick nod, Kurai agreed to do so.

Astaroth was an Overlord, and he had extreme magic residing with him. He had to know what to do, right?

In a burst of energy, Kurai teleported them and Noxaris straight to Mundus's castle, which appeared right before Astaroth.

Astaroth, please help us. Snow needs you. Kurai's voice echoed telepathically, and desperation was evident in his tone.

Astaroth's gaze became curious. "What have I missed?" He questioned, looking at the woman's battered body, "Quickly, lay her down."

Kurai gently laid Snow before Astaroth, his strength nearly spent. He watched as the overlord began to work his magic, hoping with all his heart that they could save Snow.

Astaroth's hands glowed with an eerie light as he chanted incantations in an ancient tongue. Slowly, a crystal-like structure began to form around Snow's body, encasing her from head to toe. The temporal crystal shimmered with a soft, pulsating light, freezing her body in suspended animation.

"This will keep her stable," Astaroth said, his voice a mix of reassurance and urgency. "The crystal will preserve her until we can find a way to heal her fully."

Kurai nodded, relief washing over him. Snow was safe for now, but the battle to save her was far from over. With Astaroth's help, they had bought precious time, and Kurai was determined to use every moment to find a way to bring Snow back.

As he stood by her side, watching the temporal crystal encase her, Kurai's determination lurked over him. He put his hand on the crystal, a sad look emerging. "Don't worry, Snow. I've got you."