The town lay unnaturally silent.
Broken debris littered the ground—cracked stone, shattered wood, and scorched earth still smoking faintly where the demon had once stood. No villagers dared step outside. Doors were shut tight. Windows sealed. Even the wind seemed hesitant to pass through the streets.
And yet…
A strange breeze swept through the ruins, carrying with it a soft, distant laugh—faint, distorted, and gone before anyone could be sure it was real.
"HAA—Mom!"
A child's scream tore through the silence.
Sora's head snapped toward the sound.
From the edge of the forest, a shadowy figure emerged, dragging a struggling woman by the arm. The child ran after her, small legs trembling, desperation written across his face.
"Leave her alone!" the boy cried.
The figure didn't even turn.
In a single, careless motion, it struck.
BAM!
The child's body was sent flying, smashing through a wooden wall with a sickening crack. Dust and splinters exploded into the air.
"Hey, you creep!" Sora shouted, rage surging through him. "Give her back!"
Before Rin or Lucy could stop him, Sora sprinted forward, feet pounding against the ground as he chased after the figure into the forest.
"Sora, wait—!" Rin yelled, but Sora was already gone.
The forest grew darker the deeper Sora ran.
The air felt heavy, thick with the stench of blood and decay. Twisted trees loomed overhead like watching silhouettes. After a long chase, the figure finally stopped near a clearing littered with bones and torn clothing.
Sora skidded to a halt, breathing hard.
"I should have known," he said through clenched teeth. "You're a demon."
The figure turned slowly.
Sharp teeth clenched a half-gnawed bone. Its eyes glinted with cruel amusement.
"How stupid can humans be?" it muttered. "Looks like when I eat this woman for lunch… I'll save you for dessert."
Disgust churned in Sora's chest.
"Disgusting!" he yelled, lunging forward without hesitation.
He attacked relentlessly—punches, kicks, raw force driven by rage—but the demon dodged effortlessly, slipping past every strike with lazy movements, smiling all the while.
"As expected from a human."
"SHUT UP!" Sora roared.
He attacked again, faster, harder—but every blow missed. His frustration grew. His breathing became erratic.
"I'll kill every one of you," Sora shouted. "I'll hunt you all down and become the strongest Saint!"
Something snapped.
A violent surge of energy erupted from Sora's body.
At first, it felt powerful.
Then—pain.
A shrill ringing pierced his ears. His heart slammed violently against his chest. His limbs shook uncontrollably. His vision blurred as blood trickled from his eyes, ears, and mouth.
"W-What's happening…?" Sora gasped, barely able to stand.
The demon tilted its head, unimpressed.
"How disappointing," it said. "From someone who claims he'll protect his kind."
BAM!
Sora was sent crashing through multiple trees, his body slamming violently against the ground.
"Now let me have some fun," the demon whispered.
Elsewhere, Rin leapt from tree to tree, panic clawing at his chest.
"Sora… Where are you?" he muttered. "Please don't do anything stupid."
"Rin, wait!" Lucy shouted as she caught up.
Before either could speak—
BOOM!
A thunderous impact echoed through the forest.
They didn't hesitate to check the cause.
Back in the clearing, the demon toyed with Sora mercilessly—slamming him into the earth, burying his head into the dirt, and smashing him into stone until cracks spiderwebbed across it.
"Hehehe… how fun," the demon chuckled.
A small voice cried out.
"L-Leave him alone!"
The child from earlier hurled stones at the demon with trembling hands.
"Annoying brat—"
BAM!
The demon slammed the child into the ground.
"STOP!" Sora screamed.
Energy burst from him again—but this time, it felt wrong. His veins burned like fire. His limbs locked. He couldn't breathe.
Still, he forced himself forward, gathering every ounce of power into his fist.
Pain exploded.
"YOU WILL PAY!"
He lunged.
The demon vanished—then appeared above him.
CRASH!
Sora was smashed into the ground, shockwaves rippling outward.
"Why don't I use you for lunch?" The demon sneered, lifting Sora upside down. His vision faded. His body barely responded.
The demon tossed him into the air, mouth opening wide—suddenly—
Sora was yanked away mid-fall.
"Get your paws off him."
Lucy stood between them, eyes cold.
"I didn't want to do this," she murmured, removing the bracelet from her wrist. "But I don't have a choice."
Energy surged violently around her.
"Excalibur."
Light condensed, forming a radiant sword mid-air.
The demon lunged—
And in the blink of an eye, its arm fell to the ground.
"What…?" Fear twisted its face.
"Let me educate you," Lucy said calmly, eyes glowing blue. "This energy is called MANTRA."
She stepped forward.
"And it will kill you if you underestimate it."
The demon charged again. —
SLASH.
Its head separated from its body.
Silence returned to the forest.
"Didn't I tell you not to underestimate it"
Lucy rushed to Sora's side, her expression grave.
"If you keep forcing power like this…" she whispered, "…your body will die..
"Open your eyes...Sora. Don't die."