Chapter 14: Ruins

Many years has passed and Akuma doesn't even know how long he's moving through the barren wilderness, the biting wind carrying flecks of frost that stung against his skin. The landscape stretched endlessly, a desolate expanse of frozen ground and skeletal trees, their twisted branches clawing at the sky.

His breaths came in steady clouds, his footsteps deliberate. The echoes of his past—his fear, his hesitation—were no more than whispers drowned out by the roar of his new reality. Akuma was no longer a boy stumbling through survival. He was becoming something more, something darker, something unstoppable.

Kuro trailed silently, its presence a constant reminder of the choices Akuma had made. Its skeletal frame rattled softly with each step, and the faint glow in its eye sockets pulsed like a heartbeat. Together, they were an embodiment of death and defiance, a force that left ruin in their wake.

---

The world was not empty.

Far in the distance, Akuma spotted a faint glow—firelight, perhaps. A camp. He narrowed his eyes, his instincts sharpening. The voice within stirred, its tone sly and knowing.

"A gathering of the living," it murmured. "What will you do, Akuma? Destroy them? Or let them serve your will?"

He ignored the voice, his focus set on the camp ahead. There were risks, but risks carried opportunities. Supplies, information, perhaps even answers.

Akuma approached cautiously, keeping to the shadows. As he drew nearer, the camp came into view—a small group of tents encircling a large bonfire. Figures moved around it, cloaked in thick furs to shield themselves from the cold. Their weapons—mostly crude blades and axes—glinted faintly in the firelight.

"Mercenaries," Akuma muttered to himself. They were too organized to be mere wanderers but lacked the discipline of a true army.

Kuro crept up beside him, its hollow eyes fixed on the camp. A low, guttural growl emanated from the Bone Fiend, as if anticipating Akuma's command.

"Not yet," Akuma whispered. His hand tightened into a fist, the faint trace of [Shadow Aura] flickering around his fingers. "We watch first."

---

Hours passed, and Akuma observed. The mercenaries were rough but coordinated, their movements suggesting a purpose. They spoke in low voices, but fragments of their conversation carried on the wind.

"...the ruins... dangerous..."

"...payment better be worth it..."

"...heard the stories. Something unnatural guarding it..."

Akuma's interest piqued. "The ruins," he murmured. "They're after something."

The voice within chuckled. "Of course they are. The world is full of fools chasing power they cannot wield. What will you do, Akuma? Take it for yourself?"

He ignored the voice again, but the idea lingered. If these mercenaries sought something valuable, it was worth investigating. And if they were heading into danger, all the better—he could claim whatever they found without lifting a finger.

Still, caution was necessary. He needed to know more.

---

Night fell deeper, and the camp grew quiet. The mercenaries retreated to their tents, leaving only a single guard by the fire.

"Now," Akuma said softly.

Kuro moved first, a shadow among shadows. Its skeletal frame made no sound as it slipped toward the lone guard. Akuma followed, his aura suppressed, his movements precise.

The guard didn't even have time to scream. Kuro's bony hand clamped over his mouth, and with a sickening crunch, the life drained from him. The Bone Fiend's glow intensified for a brief moment, as if feeding on the act.

Akuma stepped over the body, his gaze fixed on the largest tent. "Let's see what secrets they're hiding."

---

The tent was sparse but functional, its interior dominated by a table covered in maps and notes. Akuma scanned the documents quickly, his sharp eyes picking out the key details.

"The Ruins of Enara," he read aloud. "Said to house an artifact of immense power, guarded by..." His voice trailed off as he read further.

A guardian. A being described in vague but ominous terms. A monster, perhaps. Or something worse.

"Interesting," the voice within purred. "This could be your test, Akuma. Your chance to claim power beyond imagination. Or die trying."

Akuma folded the map and tucked it into his cloak. He glanced at Kuro, its glowing eyes watching him intently.

"We're going to the ruins," Akuma said. His voice was steady, resolute. "But first..."

He turned his gaze to the other tents, where the remaining mercenaries slept.

"No loose ends."

---

The camp was silent as Akuma and Kuro moved between the tents, shadows in the darkness. The mercenaries never stood a chance. By the time dawn broke, the camp was empty save for the bloodstains and the faint, acrid smell of death.

Akuma stood at the edge of the carnage, the map clutched in his hand. He felt no remorse, no hesitation.

This was survival. This was who he was now.

"To the Ruins of Enara," he said, his voice firm.

Kuro let out a low growl of approval, its sockets glowing brighter. Together, they turned toward the horizon, the promise of power and danger pulling them forward.

And behind them, the world began to tremble in their wake.

... in their wake, whispers spread like wildfire.

The Ruins of Enara—a place veiled in superstition and death—loomed ahead in Akuma's mind. A land that promised either an untimely end or the means to ascend beyond mortality. The weight of the journey ahead bore down on him, yet his resolve remained unshaken.

Kuro followed faithfully, a silent partner in his dark march. The faint glow of dawn illuminated the path, revealing rugged terrain peppered with jagged rocks and deep fissures. This land, harsh and unwelcoming, mirrored Akuma's transformation—unyielding, relentless, and consuming.

As the morning sun rose higher, its light barely breaking through the thick, ominous clouds, Akuma noticed something unusual: tracks, fresh and erratic, leading toward the ruins.

"Survivors?" he muttered, narrowing his eyes.

Kuro bent low, its bony fingers brushing against the disturbed earth, its sockets glowing faintly as it assessed the trail. The creature emitted a soft, guttural growl, confirming Akuma's suspicion.

"They're running," he deduced, his tone void of emotion. "Something scared them."

The voice within, ever present, chimed in with an air of amusement. "Frightened prey is often the easiest to catch... but sometimes, it leads to the deadliest predators."

Akuma smirked faintly. "We'll find out soon enough."

Akuma and Kuro followed the erratic tracks, their pace measured but unyielding. The wind howled through the rugged terrain, carrying the faint, acrid scent of fear. Whatever had left these tracks had been in a desperate flight.

The ruins slowly came into view, a jagged silhouette against the gray horizon. Broken spires jutted skyward, and crumbling walls were tangled with thorny vines. Despite its decay, the place emanated an ancient, oppressive power.

The air grew heavier as they approached, every step pressing against Akuma like an unseen force. Kuro, unbothered, moved silently, its glowing eyes fixed on the ruins.

"Do you feel it?" the voice within whispered, its tone reverent. "The weight of something greater than yourself? This is no ordinary place, Akuma."

He stopped, taking a moment to scan the area. The tracks ended abruptly near the ruins' entrance, a gaping archway framed by carvings of monstrous, inhuman figures.

"Where did they go?" Akuma muttered.

Kuro let out a low growl, its gaze fixed on the darkness within the ruins. The Bone Fiend's stance shifted, a predator on edge.

Akuma reached out, the faint aura of [Shadow Sense] flickering to life around him. His surroundings sharpened, and faint whispers from the void filled his ears.

"There's something here," he murmured.

The voice chuckled darkly. "Of course there is. Power always demands a guardian."

---

The moment Akuma stepped past the archway, the oppressive weight grew stronger. The darkness within the ruins was near absolute, but Akuma's senses adjusted quickly. Kuro moved silently beside him, its bony claws clinking softly against the stone floor.

The air was damp and thick, carrying the faint metallic scent of blood. Shadows danced on the walls, shifting unnaturally with every flicker of Akuma's aura.

"This isn't natural," he said, his voice low.

"Natural?" the voice mocked. "Nothing here is. You stand on the threshold of the abyss. Only the strong survive."

They continued deeper until the narrow passage opened into a massive chamber. Broken pillars surrounded a raised dais, and at its center lay a colossal, ancient chest adorned with glowing runes.

But Akuma's eyes weren't on the chest.

A towering figure loomed in the shadows near the dais, its form shrouded in dark mist. Its eyes glowed an unholy crimson, and its skeletal frame was draped in tattered armor. The creature's massive, clawed hands gripped a rusted greatsword, its edge jagged and deadly.

The guardian.

Kuro let out a guttural snarl, its skeletal form rattling as it prepared for battle. Akuma's fists clenched, shadowy energy crackling around them.

The voice within whispered with glee. "Face it, Akuma. Prove your worth."

---

The guardian roared, the sound shaking the chamber and sending shards of stone tumbling from the ceiling. Its massive sword cleaved through the air, aiming straight for Akuma.

"[Shadow Veil]!" Akuma called, his form dissolving into shadows. The greatsword struck the ground where he had stood, splitting the stone with a deafening crack.

Kuro lunged, its claws raking against the guardian's armor. Sparks flew, but the creature barely flinched. It backhanded Kuro with its massive claw, sending the Bone Fiend crashing into a pillar.

Akuma reappeared behind the guardian, his fist crackling with dark energy. "[Fist of Dread]!"

The blow connected, shadowy tendrils surging into the creature's form. It staggered, a guttural growl escaping its skeletal maw, but it quickly recovered, its crimson eyes flaring brighter.

"Stronger than it looks," Akuma muttered, his breath steady.

The guardian raised its sword again, dark mist swirling around its blade. With a powerful swing, it unleashed a wave of dark energy that tore through the chamber.

"[Shadow Step]!" Akuma vanished, reappearing just above the creature. "[Shadow Rend]!"

His attack carved into the guardian's shoulder, black ichor spilling from the wound. It roared in pain, swiping at him with its claw. Akuma barely dodged, the tips of its claws grazing his armor.

Kuro recovered and attacked again, this time targeting the guardian's legs. Its bony claws tore through the joints, forcing the massive creature to one knee.

"Now!" Akuma shouted, seizing the opportunity.

Dark energy surged around him as he unleashed his most powerful attack yet. "[Eclipse Strike]!"

He drove his fist into the guardian's chest, the force of the blow ripping through its core. The crimson glow in its eyes dimmed, and with a final, echoing roar, the creature collapsed, its body disintegrating into ash.

---

Akuma stood over the remains, his breaths heavy. The room was silent once more, save for the faint hum of the runes on the chest.

Kuro approached, its glowing eyes fixed on the chest. The Bone Fiend let out a low growl, as if urging Akuma forward.

The voice within purred with satisfaction. "Well done, Akuma. The guardian is no more. Now, claim your prize."

Akuma stepped onto the dais, his eyes locked on the ancient chest. The runes pulsed faintly, their light drawing him closer.

He reached out, his hand trembling slightly as he touched the cold surface. The runes flared brightly, and the chest creaked open.

Inside lay a single item—a black orb, swirling with shadows that seemed to whisper and writhe.

"The Heart of Enara," the voice said, its tone reverent. "Take it, Akuma. Let its power become yours."

Akuma hesitated for only a moment before reaching for the orb. The moment his fingers closed around it, a surge of energy coursed through him, darkness flooding his veins.

He staggered but didn't falter, his grip tightening around the artifact.

When he opened his eyes, they glowed faintly, reflecting the orb's dark light.

"To the strong go the spoils," Akuma said, his voice firm.

Behind him, Kuro let out a low, approving growl.

And together, they left the chamber, the promise of even greater power driving them forward.