Chapter 106: All Things End

-General POV-

A profound silence gripped the realms as a malevolent presence descended upon all existence.

In their sanctuaries, the gods felt its suffocating weight, forcing all but a few to their knees, heads bowed in submission.

Shiva, the Third Strongest in the world stood in his domain. For a fleeting moment, he believed this presence signaled the arrival of an Evil God or an ancient Evil Dragon. 'It's—'

Odin, the Allfather of Norse mythology felt his hands tremble uncontrollably. He clenched them tightly, hiding the shaking from his sons, who strained with their might to resist the crushing malice. 'No—'

Sun Wukong, the First Monkey King faltered as he felt the wave of malice wash over him. His usually relaxed posture buckled slightly. 'Impossible—'

Yasaka, the Leader of the West Youkai Faction collapsed to her knees in her chambers. Her arms encircled Kunou, shielding her daughter from the oppressive malice. 'How is—'

Hades, the God of the Realm of the Dead watched in grim silence as the souls under his rule screamed and exploded, only to reform and endure the torment anew. The malevolent presence toyed with them, unraveling them in an endless cycle of destruction. 'This is—'

Serafall Leviathan and Grayfia Lucifuge were forced to their knees, their strength sapped momentarily. Rias Gremory and Sona Sitri were also subdued until Sirzechs Lucifer unleashed his own aura, colliding with the descending presence to shield them. 'Not even Vas—'

In Heaven, Michael frowned as the overwhelming presence seeped into the sacred realm, dismantling the device built by his Father every so slowly. He whispered softly. "Father give me strength."

Even the chained and sealed beings scattered across the realms felt the presence. Some grinned in eager anticipation of a fight, while others trembled recognizing a power that eclipsed their own.

In each instance, the truth became clear.

This was no god.

This was no dragon.

This was no wielder of a Sacred Gear.

No, this overwhelming presence came from something far more unassuming, and far more terrifying.

It came from a human.

Vasco Strada stood amidst a group of exorcists, shielding them from collapsing under the oppressive force. His brow furrowed as he braced himself. Then, a proud smile lit his face. 'It seems I've truly grown old.'

Those who could still move across the supernatural realms sought the source of this power. Yet as swiftly as it came, the presence vanished without a trace.

-Retsu POV-

I frowned, a sinking familiarity settling over me as the oppressive energy engulfed the area, only to vanish moments later. 'Ryou?'

The sound of shattering glass cut through my thoughts. I looked down, realizing I had dropped the cup I was holding.

A scream rang out from down the hall. 'Eri!' I bolted in a heartbeat, reaching her room as fast as my legs could carry me.

"Eri, what's wrong?" I asked, keeping my tone calm for her sake. My heart tightened as she turned to me, her tear filled eyes trembling with fear. She leapt into my chest, clutching me tightly.

"Papa's hurt!" she sobbed.

Frowning, I cradled her small frame, whispering soothing words. Footsteps thundered down the hall, and soon Nurarihyon and Magari appeared, both looking tense and alert.

Nurarihyon was the first to speak, his voice tinged with confusion. "I thought he was here."

I nodded. The presence had been so overwhelming it felt as though it were breathing down our necks. "I felt it too." I admitted, my grip on Eri tightening.

Magari crossed her arms, her frown deepening. "Where is that boy, anyway? You said he'd return from his training trip days ago."

Nurarihyon sighed, his usual calm demeanor cracked by worry. "I don't know. I gave him a job requested by Azazel, to capture and deliver someone but that's the last I heard."

Eri let out another wail, her small fists gripping my clothes as if to anchor herself. "Papa's going to get hurt more, I just know it!"

My heart clenched at her words, and I gently stroked her hair, whispering a silent prayer.

'Be safe, Ryou.'

-Tobio's POV-

"HAHAHA!"

His laughter echoed through the void of shadows that Jin and I dived into for safety. My chest heaved as I looked down at the deep slash wound running diagonally from my upper right shoulder to my left hip.

'It's not healing!'

Panic clawed at me as I glanced at Jin, who whimpered softly beside me. That's when I noticed it, a thin dark gray line running around his body.

"Jin, what happened?" I asked, desperation in my voice.

He barked in response, his tone laced with worry.

Looking up through the shadows, I saw him. His figure stood above us, a silhouette against a cascade of shifting colors. He looked down with a grin that sent a chill through my bones.

"Found you." he said, gripping his katana in a reverse hold before plunging it into the shadows.

The force tore us out of the void, sending Jin and me tumbling into the open.

"H-How are you alive?!" I shouted, disbelief seeping into my voice as I scrambled to my feet.

The man didn't answer, laughing even louder instead. His figure blurred, and before I could react, his foot slammed into my chest. Pain exploded through my body as I crashed into the remnants of a crumbling house.

Through the haze of pain, I saw him grab Jin in midair. With a single fluid motion he severed Jin's head. My partner dissolved into smoke, only to reappear moments later beside me.

'He barely has a scent… If it weren't for the blood, I'd think he was a ghost.'

Jin barked again, snapping me out of my daze. Following his gaze, I noticed something, a thin red line on the man's torso.

Right where he had been bisected.

'He didn't heal completely!'

A flicker of hope reignited within me. I gritted my teeth and nodded to Jin.

The man bellowed, his grin widening. "Haha! Come on, kid! Show me what you've got!"

He lunged at me again, faster than I could follow.

'I only need to land one hit!' I thought as the fight resumed, determination surging through me.

-Ryou POV-

'Smart kid.' I thought as I dodged the swing of Tobio's scythe, retaliating with a slash from Muramasa infused with cursed magic and Reiatsu. He barely managed to dodge, his movements slower than before.

It had been minutes since I unleashed the Cursed World Slash, and I could feel the toll it had taken on me. My body ached, my mind was fraying at the edges, and my reserves were dangerously low.

'I need to get to Retsu.'

Shundō carried me out of the way just in time as Canis Lykaon lunged from a shadow beneath me. But I froze for a split second, wincing as something small and sharp pierced the back of my neck before disappearing.

That lapse of focus was all they needed. Tobio and his mutt vanished into the shadows, their forms darting to either side of me.

'What are they planning?'

The shadows beneath my feet darkened and expanded. I looked down to see glowing red eyes staring up at me. A massive jaw, dark and jagged, began to form, threatening to swallow me whole.

Laughing, I spun Muramasa in a wide arc, pouring the last remnants of my strength into the blade.

"Cursed World Slash!"

The attack was smaller than before, but it was enough. The jaws around me were cleaved cleanly in half, the slash tearing through them and reducing them to a fading fog.

Panting, I gripped Muramasa tightly, glaring through the haze.

"I've only seen one other person fight death this fiercely." I called out, my voice carrying through the dissipating shadows. "Tell me, kid why do you keep fighting when there's no hope?"

For a moment, there was silence. Then, through the fog, Tobio emerged. His Balance Breaker form had faded, leaving only a scythe slightly larger than his body in his hands.

"Because I have things to live for!" he roared, charging at me with unwavering resolve.

I met his charge, our weapons clashing. Sparks flew as I forced him back slightly.

"Things to live for?" I scoffed, sneering at him. "Don't make me laugh! What could an orphaned brat like you possibly have?"

My foot struck his stomach, and he went flying, crashing into the dirt. Yet he rose again, defiant, clutching his scythe.

"I have a new family!" he yelled, his voice cracking with emotion. "People I care about! People I want to protect and be with! That's why I won't stop fighting!"

For the briefest moment, my grin faltered. My vision blurred, and a cold sensation crept through my body. But as quickly as it came, it vanished. Shaking my head, I forced a grin back onto my face.

"Is that so?" I growled. "Seems we're not so different, kid!"

Tobio snarled in response, but his advance was cut short as my foot connected with his stomach again. He flew back through the fading fog, but this time, he smirked.

'What's he planning?'

That's when I realized, this fog wasn't fading. It was shifting.

'Shit. It's not fog. It's shadows!'

Before I could move, the shadows beneath me coiled like snakes, morphing into chains that bound my body. The surrounding haze condensed into countless blades, their edges glinting with coldness.

'Dammit.'

I closed my eyes, pouring the last reserves of my Reiatsu and cursed magic into my body. Pain erupted as the blades pierced through me, but I clenched my teeth, refusing to cry out.

Only one thought crossed my mind as the shadows claimed their vengeance.

'I fucking hate fighting Sacred Gear users.'

-Tobio's POV-

"We got him, Jin!" I wheezed, collapsing to my knees beside Jin.

The massive canine barked in agreement, his tail wagging weakly.

'I didn't think that would actually work.'

Jin, in his shadow form, had carried small debris inside his massive jaws. When the man had cut Jin's mouth in half, those fragments exploded outward, providing the perfect distraction. Jin, thankfully unharmed, had then manipulated shadows to keep the debris appearing as fog. The moment the man let his guard down upon seeing me revert from my Balance Breaker we sprung the trap, binding him in shadow chains and piercing him with shadow-forged swords.

'But it's not over yet. There's still one last thing I have to do.'

With a deep breath, I pushed myself to my feet. The shadows receded, revealing the man with white and black hair bound by chains that stretched from the ground to his arms and legs. His head hung low as he chuckled, his voice rasping.

"Haha… That's twice now I've let my guard down and paid the price."

Ignoring his words, I materialized a scythe. The weapon felt natural in my hands, its weight reassuring. Jin kept watch as I approached the bound man.

Raising the scythe, I brought it down on his katana. The blade of my scythe went through the cursed weapon effortlessly.

Looking up, I met the man's wide eyes. A tired but soft smile graced my face as I spoke.

"I noticed your sword… it radiated something strange. It felt like the same kind of energy I've seen before, something a friend of mine had."

His once dark purple eyes lightened, shifting to a bright, shimmering hue that caught the sunlight. Despite the change, he still looked scary, his sharp features framed by his disheveled black and white hair.

And yet, he laughed loud, even as blood trickled from his mouth.

-Ryou POV-

It was gone.

The curse that had plagued Muramasa for years was gone.

'Can't believe the brat could actually do that.'

I couldn't help but laugh, even as my body screamed in protest. Looking down at the boy from my bound position, I smirked.

"Kid." I began, my voice hoarse. "I knew what it was doing to me. I've dealt with it for years. When I said I was paid to do this it wasn't the curse speaking, it was all me."

He frowned, sighed and with a wave of his hand, the shadowy chains and swords disappeared.

Raising an eyebrow, I stumbled forward slightly, steadying myself with my power to keep from collapsing outright. My vision blurred momentarily but righted itself again.

"I guess I'll have to risk you not attacking." he muttered.

I snorted and shook my head, glancing at the destruction around us. Turning back to him, I saw the question in his eyes.

"Wondering how I'm still alive?" I asked.

He gave a small nod, sitting down on a nearby chunk of rubble, his exhaustion evident.

"I'm using two types of magic to hold myself together." I explained. "They're keeping my body functioning, even though I'm practically in pieces. I'll be fine once I get to my… doctor."

'Doctor? I really need to figure what we are.'

Heat rose to my cheeks as memories of her flooded my mind. Blushing slightly, I shook my head to dispel the thoughts.

"Kid." I began again, my tone softening, "your friends are fine. They're not trapped under a barrier. Head six streets down to the left, and you'll find them. Take your mutt and go."

Before I could finish, the sound of slow clapping interrupted me.

Out stepped a middle-aged man in a sharp three-piece suit, his expression casual yet menacing.

"Himejima Hanezu." I muttered, narrowing my eyes.

'Tch. Leader of the Utsusemi Agency.'

As Hanezu approached, I moved in front of Tobio and held Muramasa out to him. He stared at me in confusion.

"Take this." I said.

"Why?" he asked quietly.

I didn't look at him, my focus locked on Hanezu.

"I've done a lot of things I'm not proud of, but starting today, I'm taking a step forward. Not for you, but for my daughter… and the woman I love."

Turning my head slightly, I saw his wide eyed expression. Smirking, I added. "Now fuck off, kid and go find your friends."

Reluctantly, Tobio nodded, taking Muramasa before retreating.

"Demon's Voice." Hanezu sneered, his tone dripping with disdain. "What a displeasure it is to see you again. Still, I must thank you for delivering the boy to me."

Hanezu didn't get far. I intercepted him as he made a move toward Tobio, his khakkhara staff clashing against Gáe Dearg.

"Go, kid!" I yelled, grinning. "I saw how those girls looked at you! Don't worry about choosing, the world you're in loves harems!"

I heard Tobio's embarrassed shout and Jin's bark as they disappeared into the distance.

Turning back to Hanezu, I drove a kick into his thigh, buckling his stance.

"Why are you doing this?!" Hanezu shouted in desperation. "I'll pay you whatever you want, just let me have the boy!"

Grabbing his head, I ignored his frantic strikes and spells. His magic was nothing but an irritation.

"Compared to that kid." I snarled. "you're nothing."

With a sharp clench, I ended him.

~Scene Change~

Staggering into an alley I slumped against a wall, my body on the verge of collapse. Pulling out my battered phone, I dialed a familiar number.

"Retsu?" I murmured, a tired smile on my face.

"Ryou?" Her voice was a balm to my weary soul.

"I love you." I said softly.

A squeal came from the other end, followed by an embarrassed cough.

"I-I didn't expect that from you." she admitted, her tone shy yet warm.

"I miss you, Retsu." I continued. "I'll talk to that old youkai about taking a break before my next assignment."

"Nurarihyon was just here and told me he had granted you to come back for a few days before your next two assignments though?" she said, a confused lilt in her voice.

'What—'

A sharp pain pierced my chest.

Looking down, I saw a blade lodged near my heart. The air rippled, revealing a man with gray hair and silver eyes crouched before me.

"Keep talking." he whispered, a finger pressed to his lips.

"Ryou?" Retsu's concerned voice came from the phone.

"I love you." I managed to say.

With what little strength I had left, I rasped. "Don't trust illusi—"

The man severed my hand, crushing the phone.

"Why did you have to go and do that, Ryou-kun?" he sighed, twisting the blade deeper.

"L-Loki… a g-god…" I stammered.

"Correct." His smirk widened. "And you mortal, have outlived your usefulness."

The last thing I heard was his mocking tone.

"What was your name again? Oh, never mind, you're dead."

And then, darkness.

-General POV-

Two months had passed since that day, a day when the world momentarily stood still.

For the mundane, the event had been dismissed as an electrical storm, an anomaly quickly forgotten. But within the supernatural communities whispers persisted, attributing the strange phenomenon to the death of an unknown but malevolent being.

Life moved on, as it always did, even in the wake of something extraordinary.

~Scene Change~

A young man approached a modest mansion on the outskirts of Kyoto, his pace measured, his expression a mixture of resolve and hesitation. At his hip hung a sheathed katana, its presence weighted with meaning.

Reaching the door, he exhaled deeply before knocking.

The door creaked open, revealing a woman with braided hair. Her tired eyes carried both confusion and the faint remnants of grief.

"Hello." the young man began, his voice steady but soft. "I'm Ikuse Tobio."

She regarded him cautiously, her gaze shifting to the katana as he untied it and held it out.

"I was given this by the previous owner." he continued, bowing his head slightly in respect. "I'd like to return it to his wife."

Her eyes widened in recognition before she quickly averted them, attempting to mask the tears welling up. With trembling hands, she accepted the weapon, her fingers brushing the sheath reverently.

From deeper inside the house came the sound of small, hurried footsteps. A silver-haired child peeked around the corner, her wide eyes immediately locking onto the katana.

"Papa!"

The cry was raw, filled with both hope and anguish. The girl ran to her mother's side, clutching her leg as fresh tears spilled down her cheeks.

"Papa, come back! Please, come back!"

The woman knelt, placing a comforting hand on her daughter's shoulder, murmuring soothing words. After a moment, she straightened and turned her attention back to the young man. Despite the obvious pain in her expression, she managed a small, grateful smile.

"Thank you." she said quietly. "Would you like some tea?"

Tobio blinked, momentarily caught off guard by the offer, before nodding with a small smile of his own.

"Yes, please. If it's not too much to ask… could I hear the story of the man who wielded this sword?"

The woman studied him for a moment, then nodded, her resolve solidifying as she gestured for him to enter.

"Very well." she said, her voice soft but steady. "I'll tell you the story of Sasaki Ryou, the man who defied his curse."

The End Of Volume 1