They attacked without hesitation.
Blades flashed.
Kaito barely moved.
A soldier's sword struck his shoulder—
But the wound closed instantly.
The soldiers froze.
"He's regenerating!"
Another charged.
Instinct took over.
Kaito's shadow rose behind him like a beast.
It formed claws.
And tore through the man's armor.
Blood painted the ground.
The whispers inside him grew louder.
"More…"
"Devour more…"
The Holy Order retreated in horror.
"The prophecy is real," their captain whispered. "The Devourer has been born."
More knights arrived.
Too many.
Kaito was still just a child.
An arrow pierced his side.
He fell.
The world blurred.
As darkness consumed his vision, he heard one final voice.
Soft.
Female.
"Don't die yet… shadow boy."