The ruined hall felt alive with shadows, the flicker of broken stone torches casting jagged silhouettes across the cracked floor. At the center, three figures clashed in a storm of steel and fury.
Michi's sword rang against Drango's claws, sparks flying. The force of the blow rattled his arm, but he pivoted, drawing his dagger in his off-hand. In one breath he slashed upward at Rishdania, barely parrying the enormous claymore that would have split him in two.
The air cracked with every strike.
Near the fallen pillar, Canberas leaned against the rubble, his wings torn and bleeding. His chest heaved, sweat pouring, yet his eyes stayed locked on the fight.
"Damn it," he muttered through gritted teeth. "He's fighting both of them alone. That claymore… every swing could break a mountain."
Beside him, Veynar clenched his fists. "Drango isn't even serious yet. He's playing."
Veylika crossed her arms tightly, her face pale. "And Rishdania… she's crying, but her strikes are killing blows. Michi is holding back against her."
Canberas slammed his fist into the stone. "How long can he keep this up? One mistake, and…"
Their words trailed off as the battle raged harder.
Drango lunged, claws whistling through the air. Michi twisted aside, his dagger slicing to deflect. The impact scraped along his blade, leaving grooves in the steel.
"Still standing?" Drango sneered, spinning to rake another slash at his chest.
Michi ducked low, but before he could counter, Rishdania descended on him with her claymore, screaming. Her blade smashed down like a falling star.
"Rishdania—stop!" Michi shouted, his sword trembling as he caught the blow. Her tears streaked her dirtied face, her voice shaking with pain.
"I… I can't!" she sobbed, forcing the claymore down harder. "He'll kill Shiro if I resist!"
The ground cracked beneath their feet. Michi braced, shoving her blade aside with a cry, only to whirl instantly and block Drango's claws aiming for his back.
The fight became a deadly rhythm. Sword to claw, dagger to claymore, parry to strike, one against two. Sparks danced in every breath.
Drango laughed, circling Michi like a predator. "You're slowing, boy. That cut on your side—ah, I saw it. Even heroes bleed."
Michi growled, lunging forward with a feint, then striking upward with his dagger. It nicked Drango's arm, drawing blood.
"Better watch yourself," Michi hissed, eyes blazing.
The beast only grinned, licking the wound mockingly. "Ahh, delicious. You're still sharp—but your heart is dull. Protecting her, protecting everyone. Weakness!"
He darted forward, claws slashing in a flurry. Michi blocked the first two, but the third raked his shoulder, hot blood spraying across the broken stones.
Veynar's teeth clenched. "Michi—!"
But Michi didn't falter. He spun, blade in both hands, striking back with raw force. His sword clashed against Drango's claw, driving him back a step.
Yet the moment he steadied, Rishdania charged again, her claymore a streak of sorrowful steel.
Michi met her strike, the clash echoing like thunder. Their eyes locked—hers brimming with tears, his burning with fire.
"Why are you doing this?" Michi demanded, holding her back with straining arms.
Her lips trembled. "Because if I stop, Shiro dies!"
Drango barked a laugh from the side. "That's right, my little puppet! Swing harder—show him your love for your brother!"
She cried out, swinging wildly again and again, forcing Michi to parry desperately. Each clash of her claymore sent shivers through his arms.
Veylika covered her mouth with one hand. "She doesn't want this… but she's breaking him apart!"
Canberas slammed his hand on the ground, frustration boiling. "Drango's chaining her with fear. Michi's trying to fight without killing her. That's suicide against both."
Veynar's voice was low, tense. "And yet… look at him. He hasn't stepped back once."
Michi's breath came heavy, but his eyes stayed sharp. He deflected another swing, then twisted suddenly, kicking Rishdania's blade aside just enough to pivot toward Drango. His sword flashed, dagger thrusting in follow-up.
Drango barely blocked, his claws grinding against steel. Michi pushed harder, teeth gritted.
"You think chaining people makes you strong?" he shouted.
Drango's grin widened. "I think it makes me happy."
With a roar, he shoved Michi back. The hero staggered but flipped his dagger into a reverse grip, ready again.
The tempo quickened—strike, block, strike, parry. Michi's movements blurred, alternating sword and dagger, a dance of precision.
Rishdania entered again, her claymore swinging with all the sorrow of her heart. Michi dodged narrowly, rolling across rubble, then sprang back with both blades crossing to stop Drango's descending claws.
The ground shattered beneath them.
"Gods…" Veynar muttered, sweat dripping from his brow. "He's fighting like a demon himself. Every second he adjusts, shifts, adapts."
Veylika's voice shook. "But his body—he's bleeding more, his arms are trembling. He can't keep this up."
Canberas's eyes burned, wings twitching despite the pain. "He's carrying it because no one else can. That's Michi."
Drango lunged again, claws striking in brutal arcs. Michi blocked two but the third ripped across his cheek, leaving a crimson line.
He winced, but his eyes never faltered. "You'll regret underestimating me."
Rishdania's claymore swung low. Michi barely jumped in time, her blade slicing the stone floor instead, shattering it into shards.
Her voice cracked with a sob. "Why won't you just fall?! I can't stop! Please, Michi!"
"Then I'll fight until you're free!" he shouted back, blocking another blow with his dagger.
Drango's laughter boomed, echoing off the ruins. "Yes! That's it! Struggle! Break! Show me despair, hero!"
He struck again, claws glowing with dark energy. Michi crossed sword and dagger, catching the blow with a grunt. His arms shook under the weight, but he didn't yield.
The three clashed in a storm—steel, claw, sorrow. Michi fought with all his will, parrying, countering, never once striking to kill Rishdania. She cried harder with every swing, torn between her love for her brother and the chains binding her heart.
Veynar's voice whispered like awe. "He's… he's not fighting them. He's fighting for them."
Veylika's eyes shimmered with tears. "But how much more can he endure…?"
Canberas clenched his jaw, silent, his gaze fixed on Michi's unbreaking stance.
The ruin rang with the chaos of war, the hero holding the line between a beast's cruelty and a sister's despair.
And the battle… had only just begun.