Shido ran hurriedly, his body trembling as he reached Tohka's side, who lay unconscious. His breath hitched, his hands trembling as he touched her face. Deep wounds adorned her body, her spirit dress torn and tattered, fresh blood still dripping from the corner of her lips. Seeing her like this, it was as if something had shattered inside Shido's chest.
"...Tohka…" he whispered hoarsely, his eyes trembling with emotion.
He quickly bent down, making sure Tohka was still breathing. Relief, if only a little, flowed through him when he felt the girl's weak pulse. However, that relief was quickly replaced by profound sadness. Tohka, the girl he had promised to always protect, was now lying unconscious because of the masked man's actions.
Shido stood slowly, his body unsteady, but his eyes filled with determination. In his hand, Sandalphon, a giant, glowing sword, appeared, emitting a powerful aura that vibrated with its owner's emotions. He placed Tohka's unconscious body behind him, then stood firmly before Noir Blade.
The atmosphere turned silent. Smoke and dust from the previous battle still swirled in the air, but now everything felt still. Miku, who had been holding Shido, didn't say a word, her eyes fixed on Shido, who now looked different, not just a fragile man, but someone ready to protect him with his life.
Noir Blade stood ten meters in front of Shido, his sword Yamato still drawn calmly. His crystal blue eyes stared straight at him, piercing through the mask he wore. From behind that gaze, he could sense Shido's burning determination.
Behind his calm face, something stirred. Guilt crept in slowly, seeping in like poison. He knew Tohka was just a girl trapped by his inversion power, and he also knew how much Shido loved her. But he still hurt her, without hesitation.
However, Noir Blade didn't show it on his face. He remained silent. His body was upright, his aura of power still pressing down on the surrounding atmosphere.
Shido gripped Sandalphon tightly, his eyes unmoving from his opponent. A spiritual aura exploded from his body, though not as strong as Tohka's, but filled with genuine emotion.
"Noir Blade…" Shido spoke in a low, trembling voice, filled with conviction. "I won't let you touch Tohka again. If you want to hurt her… you'll have to go through me first!"
The tone of his voice made the air around him tremble.
Noir Blade didn't answer. He simply raised Yamato slowly, the blade reflecting the dim light of the flames and the rubble of the destroyed building. His calmness contrasted sharply with Shido's emotion-filled aura.
For a moment, the two were silent. Their gazes met, measuring each other.
Miku, hiding behind the rubble, shut her mouth tightly, unable to speak. Her heart was pounding, fully aware that the battle that was about to ensue was no ordinary duel, but a clash of wills.
Up there, aboard the Fraxinus, Kotori and the crew also watched with tense expressions. Kotori, biting her lollipop tightly, stared unblinkingly at the screen. Her face was grim, her eyebrows knitted tightly together. She knew Noir Blade was no opponent to be underestimated, especially after seeing Tohka defeated so brutally.
But now, her brother, Shido, stood alone, facing the monster.
"…Shido… don't be reckless," Kotori murmured softly, though she knew her words wouldn't reach him.
Back on the field, Shido took a deep breath, trying to calm his pounding heart. He raised Sandalphon high, a shimmering blue-purple light enveloping the blade. Meanwhile, Noir Blade shifted his feet slowly, his posture relaxed, but every inch of his movement filled with menace.
The dust in the air blew gently, a sign of tension reaching its peak.
Deep in Noir Blade's heart, he only had one thought: just how strong Shido had always been. Was he truly capable of protecting the spirit girls who had entrusted him to them? Or… just a weak man caught in the whirlwind of fate?
Although it wasn't yet Kaito's time to face Shido, as he was still far from his peak, it was still worth testing his current strength.
And as Shido stepped forward, his spiritual aura exploded even stronger, ready to wield Sandalphon towards the Noir Blade.
The air in the ruins of the building grew heavy, as if the world held its breath, watching the clash of wills between the two men. Shido, Sandalphon in hand, stood firmly before Tohka's unconscious body. Before him, the Noir Blade stood calmly, seemingly unaffected by anything.
Without warning, Shido charged forward. His furious cry echoed, "Haaaaaah!" The giant, glowing sword swung with full force, slashing through the air, generating a wave of blue energy that vibrated violently.
However, to Noir Blade, the attack seemed slow. With a light step, he shifted his body to the side, allowing Sandalphon's blade to slash through empty air. Yamato rose slightly, barely parrying Shido's attack as he attempted another, consecutive slashes.
A metallic thud rang out, Sandalphon colliding with Yamato, but each impact only served to highlight the vast difference between them. Shido's movements were fierce yet stiff, eager yet inexperienced. In contrast, Noir Blade's movements were calm and precise, as if he read Shido's every intention before he even moved.
"Mmph!" Shido groaned, continuing to press forward with his attack. His body moved left, then right, swinging the sword with all his strength. Sweat began to bead on his face, but his eyes remained determined.
Noir Blade, still silent and silent, dodged with a slight shift of his foot or a light swing of his sword. From the outside, the fight looked like one man fighting tooth and nail while the other watched, occasionally parrying.
Then, in a flash that was hard to follow with the naked eye, Noir Blade disappeared from Shido's sight and appeared right in front of him. He didn't use Yamato, but his fist. A powerful punch struck Shido in the stomach.
"Gu—agh!"
Shido's body was lifted off the ground and slammed hard into the crumbling building wall, sending shards of concrete raining down.
Miku, watching from afar, covered her mouth tightly, her eyes wide. "Shido!" she cried, knowing her voice wouldn't change anything.
Dust billowed, but from behind the rubble, Shido slowly got back to his feet. His knees were shaking, and his hand gripping Sandalphon was shaking violently. But his eyes… his eyes still burned with determination.
He dragged his steps forward, then ran again, swinging his sword at Noir Blade again.
Once again, Yamato parried, Noir Blade's body spun lightly, and then bam!—another punch landed in Shido's stomach.
His body was sent flying again, hitting the ground, leaving a trail of cracks. His breathing was labored, but he stood up again.
"Noir Blade!" he shouted, his voice hoarse but strong. "I… won't fall here! I'll protect Tohka!"
And so it went.