28 Time to meet my end.

"Now that the Shadow is also here...we will be able to fend off the Demon Kings right, my Lady?" Allen looked around her surroundings as she protected Eshima's back.

"I don't think so, Allen." Eshima had a grim face as she realized many facts.

Even with the Shadow's arrival, the guardians were still at a disadvantage. They were fighting Five vs Seven. Shadow travelled tens of thousands of miles for hours and was exhausted of energy, which left him unable to open a portal anymore or fight efficiently. Reo and the others have been fighting for a long time and were only in a defensive mode as they exhausted their remaining energy.

Eshima looked towards the direction where Reo was supposed to be as she murmured to herself 'Please...don't do it Reo...just don't'.

A heavily exhausted Reo already lost most of his energy as he spared against the 1st and the 3rd Demon Kings. Reo panted heavily a he took a moment to sense and contemplate what was happening in all of Tristina.

Atsuhiro and Kiyoshi were covered in blood and flesh wounds as they gasped heavily while their hands were trembling unable to hold onto their Soul Gear anymore.

"You okay?...can you still fight?" Atsuhiro heaved a heavy breathe as he supported himself against Kiyoshi's back.

"....Who...do...yo..u...think you are...talking to?" It was clear for Atsuhiro that Kiyoshi won't be able to hold himself much longer as he heard his breaking words.

Shadow and Evelyn attacked together as they pushed the 2nd and the 4th Demon Kings back to the place where Reo and the others were fighting the Demon Kings.

"They won't hold up much longer..." A voice crept into Shadow's mind as he stroke the space in front of him with his Demon Sword releasing a crescent with blue flame towards the 2nd Demon King. This was the voice of the 7th Dragon spirit a.k.a Shadow Dragon.

"I know..." Shadow answered as he continued to push the 2nd Demon King back. Shadow already knew where the situation would lead them towards.

With a sharp kick to the gut, the 2nd Demon King was sent flying only to hit the 3rd Demon King as he ejected. The 2nd and the 3rd Demon Kings hit a 3 story building and were buried in debris.

"We have to seal them up Sha..." Reo gulped down the words in his mouth as he sensed something he never wanted to sense his entire life.

"Looks like they were successful...haha..Did you really think that all your protectors were loyal?...Hehehe...want to know a secret, Divine guardian?...It was one of your protectors who helped in the return of all seven of us at the same time along with our armies." The 1st Demon King laughed like a psychopath as he stood idly waiting to witness what Reo's reaction would be.

Reo turned towards the south of Tristina with wide eyes filling with tears.

"My...lady..." Allen turned to face Eshima who had a Lance forced through her gut by a Rank-S Protector, Akio.

Eshima fell to the ground only to be caught by Reo who rushed to the scene in the next instant. Akio fled the scene as the other protectors or guardians were busy processing the fact that Eshima was struck down.

The Guardians sped to the scene as they escaped from the Demon Kings. The Demon Kings regrouped as they watched Reo and the guardians deep in pain as they witnessed their loss.

"Don't follow me too quickly...I can wait for you...and don't forget about...him. I know you won't...he is our only hope and the most important thing...'I love you..'." Eshima said word for word as she looked towards Reo. Eshima turned to face Shadow who was wearing a mask but she knew exactly what his expressions would be.

"Take care..." Those were the last words of Eshima as she let out her final breath. A roar filled the air as Reo roared in pain for his loss and the others fell to their knees as Shadow looked away to contain himself.

The Shadow was brought up by Eshima along with Takeshi since he was ten as he was left in the palace because Kuro was always out on mission. No one knew what happened to Shadow's parents but Kuro was the one who raised him. Shadow wore a mask even at the palace but the Commander, Prime Minister and all the royal family members along with the guardians knew his face.

Evelyn held Shadow's arm as she looked at him. She knew what Eshima meant to him. Kuro placed a hand on Reo's shoulder as he stared towards him."Reo...concentrate...please...!" Kuro never pleaded anyone but what happened shook off Reo entirely out of balance.

Reo got up as he turned to face the Demon Kings with teary and angry red eyes. The guardians along with Kuro turned to look towards the Demon Kings after they witnessed Reo staring daggers towards the Demon Kings.

"I'm Sorry,Eshima....but it is 'time to meet my end' as well." Those were the words that escaped Reo's mouth as he walked slowly towards the grinning Demon Kings.

"Reo..!" Kiyoshi exclaimed in a panic as he tried to stop Reo from doing what he intended to do.

"I am the King...and this is my decision...we have no other way and you will obey my orders!" Reo yelled as veins popped out of his head as he fumed in anger and pain.

"Sir..Yes, Sir!" The guardians around Reo along with Kuro except Shadow replied in unison.

"Ten minutes...that's all I need. It will probably be your end as well...but we swore an oath guardians 'We Protect the realm of humanity against darkness.' and now the darkness is glaring death daggers towards the whole world. Evelyn...infuse. Kuro, Atsuhiro, Kiyoshi keep the DK's away from me for the next ten minutes and Shadow, protect and evacuate the citizens out of the city." Reo started to float in the air as he started to shine in a golden aura around him.

"Send Evelyn to help in evacuation...! I will give you the ten minutes you need..." Before Shadow could complete Reo looked at him with an expression he never projected towards anyone, it was as calm and serious any expression he could project at the moment.

Shadow turned to take a look at Evelyn who nodded him to leave as she said "I promise I will be back, don't you worry about me."

Shadow turned to face Atsuhiro and Kiyoshi who were already half beaten to death and Kuro who was having a hard time to even stand properly. Shadow contemplated for a moment before he opened his mouth.

"Protectors..! take the citizens and leave...I will catch up after I provide his highness with the 9 and half minutes he asked for." Shadow gripped his sword as he looked towards Reo for his permission. Reo closed his eyes for a moment before he nodded in agreement. The Demon Kings had no idea what they were planning as the guardians never retorted to what they were about to do.