Chapter 6
Roughly two miles away from the alley where Shoji had just fought for his life, Nyx Umbra moved through the ruined cityscape with a predatory grace. His shadowy form seemed to melt in and out of the dilapidated buildings, his red eyes scanning his surroundings with an unnerving intensity.
He came across a figure standing amidst the debris – a man in a stark black suit, clutching a gleaming, silver sword. The man's eyes burned with righteous fury as he fixed his gaze on Nyx. "Demon," he spat, his voice filled with venom. "You shall perish."
Nyx tilted his head, a cruel amusement flickering in his red eyes. "Oh? And what makes you think your little trinket can harm me? I've faced far worse in the abyss."
The man's grip tightened on his sword. "I know the stench of your kind. I am Caspian Vane, and this holy blade will send you screaming back to whatever hellspawned you."
Nyx grinned, a chilling display of sharp teeth. The shadows around him deepened, his form growing larger and more menacing, tendrils of darkness coiling like living things. Caspian Vane, though visibly shaken by the transformation, stood his ground. "This holy sword," he declared, his voice trembling slightly but firm, "will kill any demon with just one hit."
With expert speed, Caspian lunged, his silver blade aimed directly at Nyx's stomach. But Nyx was faster. His shadowy hand shot out, grabbing Caspian's head in a vice-like grip. He dragged the struggling demon hunter along the ground, his shadowy form blurring as he sprinted across the ruined streets.
Reaching a section where the road dipped, Nyx leaped with surprising power, his ascent carrying them both to the height of a two-story building. Then, with a brutal heave, he hurled Caspian through the air. The demon hunter crashed through shattered windows and crumbling walls, disappearing in a cloud of dust and debris.
Nyx landed silently on the ruined second floor of an abandoned apartment building, his red eyes fixed on the wreckage below. Caspian slowly rose from the rubble, his black suit torn and bloodied, but his grip still firm on his silver sword. He pointed the blade at Nyx, his voice strained but resolute. "Judgement Chains!"
The area around them shimmered, the familiar cityscape dissolving into a nightmarish pocket dimension. The sky above turned a sickly red, and the ground beneath their feet became thick, cloying mud. Heavy chains erupted from the earth, snaking towards Nyx with unnatural speed, wrapping tightly around his right hand.
The moment his hand was bound, Caspian charged, his holy sword aimed for a killing blow. But Nyx reacted with lightning speed. His left hand shot out, a brutal strike that slammed into Caspian's face, sending him sprawling back into the muddy ground.
Another set of chains erupted, binding Nyx's left hand as well. Caspian, struggling but determined, pushed himself up and lunged again, his holy sword held high. In a shocking display of raw power, Nyx roared and ripped both of his arms free from the chains, the shadowy tendrils tearing through his own flesh. He leaped back, leaving his severed hands still bound. The holy energy of Caspian's sword instantly caused the decapitated limbs to decay into dust.
Nyx landed nimbly, his movements fluid despite the self-mutilation. He shot forward, delivering a brutal headbutt to Caspian's nose, followed by a savage knee strike to the jaw, knocking the demon hunter unconscious. The red sky of the pocket dimension flickered and cracked, and the ruined apartment building reappeared around them. Nyx's severed arms began to regenerate, shadowy tendrils knitting back together.
"So weak," Nyx hissed, looking down at the unconscious Caspian, "yet… troublesome."
The booming voice echoed once more through the sky. "Caspian Vane eliminated by Nyx Umbra. Nyx Umbra has gained 1 kill."
Nyx's head snapped up, his red eyes narrowing. "Spit it out. I know you're there."
A figure emerged from the shadows of a nearby doorway – a boy in a grey uniform, a card pinned to his shirt that read "Expert Student."
"Who might you be, little shadow?" Nyx sneered.
The boy answered, his voice surprisingly calm. "I'm Reyn Ashwood, from my world. I'm… rather adept with dark magic energies. Perhaps… we could be allies?"
Nyx considered the offer, his red eyes studying Reyn intently. A weakling, perhaps, but one with potential, and potentially useful. "Fine, kiddo," he finally conceded, a cruel smile returning to his lips. "But don't expect me to hold your hand."
Reyn nodded, a faint smile touching his lips. "Understood. I'm already strong enough in my own way."