[126] Hero Action (III)

*Outside the barrier, the epic battle between Kaoru and Kyuubi raged on, sending out shockwaves and bursts of light that seemed to tear the fabric of reality itself, as if two great forces were clashing universes within this isolated space. Each strike and movement no longer resembled that of ordinary humans or yokai; this was a legendary battle only attainable by beings who had transcended mortal limits.*

Beyond the barrier, Abe Yumei, leading the onmyoji to keep the barrier intact, felt his strength fading. His body weakened, his legs trembling before he collapsed to the ground, breathing heavily. At that moment, Reika and Towako arrived, their faces filling with alarm as they saw Abe's exhausted figure.

"Master!" Reika called out, concern coloring her voice.

"Grandfather!" Towako knelt beside him, supporting his frail body. Blood trickled from the corner of Abe's mouth, and his face was drenched in sweat.

Despite his labored breathing, Abe Yumei chuckled softly, his eyes gleaming with a profound sense of pride and satisfaction. "Keke… who would've thought, at my age, I would get to witness a battle like this… something I never even imagined. Truly extraordinary."

"Grandfather, don't talk like that… as if you're…" Towako tried to hold back her tears, refusing to believe that Abe had given everything to uphold this barrier.

Reika kept a steady composure, checking Abe's pulse, which had grown faint. "His strength… it's nearly gone," she murmured, recognizing the depth of Abe's sacrifice.

Abe smiled gently, gazing at the two women before him, focusing particularly on Towako. "Towako-chan… this barrier… it has required every last bit of my life force. That boy, Kaoru… he truly asked for the impossible. But… I'm glad I could fulfill his request."

"Grandfather…!" Towako pleaded, her eyes filled with fear and sorrow.

Abe took a deep, trembling breath and clasped Towako's hand softly. "Listen to me carefully, Towako-chan. You have to keep this barrier standing… until Kaoru finishes what he started. I had my doubts at first, but seeing that boy's conviction… made me believe. I chose to follow him."

With his trembling hands, Abe took a necklace from inside his robe—a Shaolin talisman that glowed faintly. He murmured a quiet incantation, and from the necklace emerged a small staff adorned with ancient carvings. "This staff… the Nurarihyon. It's a sacred relic imbued with the power of the legendary yokai, Nurarihyon. Before he was a god, his strength rivaled Kyuubi's. Moreover… this staff grants limited precognition, allowing you to see a few seconds into the future… enough to recharge your energy and endure."

Towako stared at the staff with a mix of emotions. "Grandfather… why don't you use it yourself? You could… regain your strength."

Abe shook his head weakly, his face etched with warmth. "Don't rely on this old man, Towako-chan. My role here is done… it's time for me to go. You must lead this clan and carry on our traditions."

With his trembling hands, he handed the Nurarihyon staff to Towako, who took it with shaking fingers, struggling to contain her grief. Reika, standing beside her, placed a hand on Towako's shoulder in silent support. Accepting the staff, Towako's heart felt heavy with loss.

Abe Yumei slowly closed his eyes, a faint smile lingering on his lips, as if he felt at peace leaving this world after giving all he had. "Towako… I am proud of you…"

With his final breath, Abe Yumei passed away, leaving a heavy silence in his wake.

Towako clutched the staff tightly, struggling to hold back her tears as she looked down at her grandfather, now forever gone. Reika, though silent, felt the profound sorrow of the sacrifice they had just witnessed.

Wiping her tears, Towako rose to her feet, gripping the Nurarihyon staff with renewed determination. She turned her gaze to the barrier, where Kaoru and Kyuubi's intense battle continued with undiminished ferocity.

"Reika, we can't let Grandfather's sacrifice be in vain," Towako said, her voice trembling yet filled with resolve.

Reika nodded, her expression honoring Abe's memory. "We'll make sure this barrier holds, Towako. Let's carry on this fight."

With the energy from the Nurarihyon staff, Towako channeled her strength into the barrier, ensuring that it remained firm and unbreakable. Together with Reika, she continued the duty Abe had entrusted to her, standing at the forefront to protect the city and support Kaoru to the very end.

Amid the night's chaos, Towako took on her grandfather's mantle, leading the onmyoji who were growing weary. Pale faces surrounded her; some were near collapse, but they all fought to keep the barrier intact, sealing off the battle between Kaoru and Kyuubi. Their energy was dwindling, and Towako felt immense pressure as she took on the role of leader, ensuring that the barrier held strong.

Around them, Reika stood guard. She knew that protecting the onmyoji was paramount, especially when they were in such a vulnerable state. But their vigilance quickly turned to alarm when she saw dozens of yokai advancing towards them. The thousand-demon parade, driven by Kyuubi's energy, continued to bring forth dark creatures from every direction, forming a throng that resembled a crowd desperate for limited-edition goods.

"Damn it… there are too many of them!" Reika gripped her sword tighter, her breath becoming heavier as she looked at the horde closing in. She knew that in her current condition, holding off all those yokai would be nearly impossible. But she had no choice—she had to hold her ground.

Amid the tension, the roar of engines sounded overhead. Reika and Towako looked up, their attention caught by the sight of two helicopters hovering above. Ropes dropped down from the helicopters, and dark-clad figures began descending swiftly, swinging into the battlefield.

Reika's eyes widened as she recognized the insignia and special uniforms of the newcomers. "Those are… DCST Taimanin!" she murmured, awestruck.

One by one, the Taimanin soldiers from DCST descended from the helicopters, landing with extraordinary speed and precision amidst the yokai horde that was closing in. They wielded advanced weapons that glowed with a fierce blue light, ready to face the attacking yokai.

A tall Taimanin with white hair tied back in a ponytail, known as Fumma Kotaro, stepped forward, giving a small smile to Reika and Towako. "We heard you could use some backup here," he said with a calm but commanding tone.

Towako nodded, her face filled with gratitude. "Thank you. We truly need your help to protect the onmyoji."

Kotaro turned to his team, his eyes alight with determination. "Alright, let's put on a show. Make sure not a single yokai gets close to the onmyoji."

The other Taimanin quickly took up positions, forming a line to intercept the advancing yokai. With remarkable speed and coordination, they began to cut down and destroy every yokai that dared approach. The blue light from their weapons flashed in the darkness, creating brilliant flares against the yokai's dark aura. Every time a Taimanin launched an attack, the yokai were sent flying or disintegrated into smoke.

Reika felt a sense of relief, though she remained vigilant, joining the battle alongside the Taimanin. Together, they faced the unending wave of yokai, wielding her sword with every ounce of strength left in her.

Amid the chaos, a young Taimanin with a giant shuriken leaped forward, hurling her shuriken with flawless precision, slicing through the lines of yokai that blocked her path. She was known as Akiyama Rinko, a talented Taimanin joining this mission.

"Don't worry, we're here to keep them back!" she called out, her voice full of spirit as she kept her focus on the yokai surrounding her.

Towako looked around, the battle growing even more intense, but with the arrival of the Taimanin, she felt their chances of holding out had increased. Together, they managed to keep the yokai horde at bay, protecting the onmyoji who were working tirelessly to maintain the barrier.

High on the hill, the legendary battle between Kaoru and Kyuubi continued, sending tremors that could be felt even at their distance. Towako gritted her teeth, resolved to keep standing. With the Taimanin reinforcements, she was determined they would hold this barrier intact until Kaoru emerged victorious.