-Kyojuro rengoku

🌅 The night had stopped.

The flames were slowly extinguished over the devastated countryside. The sound of crickets had been replaced by the crackling of burning flesh and the labored gasps of a man who refused to fall.

Kyojuro Rengoku was on his knees, his sword embedded in the ground, his chest pierced by Akaza's demonic arm.

The blood fell slowly, tinged with the orange reflection of the dying fire.

“You are strong, human…” Akaza whispered, his voice like a sick melody. “If you accepted being a demon, you could continue fighting for centuries.”

Rengoku smiled. A weak smile, but pure, burning.

—…And extinguish the flame I swore to protect… never.

Akaza frowned, pressing further. The fire was burning out… life was slipping away.

And then, the wind changed.

A sudden flare tore through the air like an ancient roar, a wave of heat that split the trees, that shook the ground.

"Get away from him, monster!" a voice boomed from the distance.

Akaza turned his head in surprise, just as a sword wrapped in fire severed his right arm, freeing Rengoku from his grasp.

The embers rose like a whirlwind, enveloping your figure in reddish flashes.

“Who… are you?” Akaza growled, retreating, regenerating his lost limb.

You stood in front of Rengoku, breathing with suppressed fury. Your eyes burned.

—I am the one who will not let your flame go out.

Rengoku, his face covered in blood, barely looked up.

—Heh… what a splendid… spirit… —he whispered, with that smile of his that not even death could erase.

"Rengoku!" you shouted, holding your sword. "You won't die today!"

The fire roared again, brighter than ever.

Your breathing synchronized with his. Two flames. Two hearts.

The ground split beneath your feet. Akaza roared, preparing his guard.

Darkness wanted to claim the Pillar… but fire found a second life.