The moment continued without mercy.
Shiyeko struck first, his fist crashing into Byukoten's jaw with a dull, bone-rattling sound. Byukoten staggered—but only for a heartbeat. Shetako shoved him aside before Shiyeko could follow through, forcing distance with a sharp, desperate push.
Byukoten recovered instantly. He leapt forward, feral and fast.
Shiyeko ducked beneath the attack, feeling air tear past his scalp. Shetako countered from the side, his punch landing cleanly—but Byukoten twisted with it, planting his foot into Shetako's chest and slamming him into the ground.
Arin could only watch.
His body refused to move. His hands trembled uselessly at his sides as the clash unfolded faster than thought, faster than fear.
"Throw it," Byukoten shouted without looking back. "Your sword."
Arin hesitated for a fraction of a second—then obeyed. The sword left his hands, spinning end over end toward the battlefield.
Shetako caught it midair.
Before he could breathe, Byukoten kicked Shiyeko hard enough to crack stone beneath him. Shetako lunged from above, driving his heel down—but Byukoten met him with a savage punch from the side, snapping his head sideways.
Steel flashed.
Shetako slashed.
Shiyeko's arm came away cleanly, spinning through the air before hitting the ground with a wet thud.
Shiyeko leapt back, clutching the stump as dark blood spilled freely. Flesh began to writhe and knit, regeneration forcing itself into existence—
Byukoten was already behind him.
The kick landed square between Shiyeko's shoulders, driving him forward. Shetako thrust for the opening, blade aimed for the spine—but Shiyeko twisted, catching the sword barehanded. He yanked Shetako forward and kicked him away like a broken doll.
Byukoten struck again. A brutal punch to the ribs.
Shetako returned from above, blade arcing down in a lethal crescent—but Shiyeko vanished from its path.
He reappeared behind Byukoten.
Shiyeko's hand pierced through Byukoten's chest.
Blood sprayed. Byukoten's body stiffened, eyes wide, breath stolen.
Shetako screamed and slashed downward, severing Shiyeko's leg at the knee. Shiyeko collapsed, snarling, regeneration already clawing at torn flesh as Shetako dragged Byukoten away—toward Hanase, toward hope.
But Shiyeko was not finished.
He rose again, one last time.
Shetako returned, striking from behind. Shiyeko caught the sword. Their eyes met—burning, exhausted, defiant.
Shetako released the blade.
And drove his hand straight into Shiyeko's chest.
Shiyeko froze.
His heart ruptured in Shetako's grip.
For a moment, time hesitated.
Then Shiyeko smiled.
Blood surged outward, every remaining drop torn from his body and compressed into a single, screaming beam. The blood ray tore through Shetako's skull in an instant.
His body collapsed without a sound.
Shiyeko fell moments later, his regeneration finally silent.
The battlefield went still.
Shetako lay broken, barely breathing.
Arin ran to him, dropping to his knees. "Why?" he cried, voice shaking. "Why did you help us? Why did you throw your life away?"
Shetako's eyes fluttered open.
He said nothing at first.
Then, softly: "Good luck… in your journeys."
He pressed the sword back into Arin's hands.
And his chest stopped moving.
Hanase screamed. Neblaheim fell to his knees, shaking, tears spilling freely.
Arin looked between them, confusion choking him. "What happened?" he asked, already knowing.
Hanase's voice broke. "His heart…"
She swallowed.
"…isn't beating."
Arin stared down at the still body.
Once again—
He had lost someone important.