Chapter 26: Echoes of Vengeance
Hadrian groaned as he collided with the stone wall, the impact blasting the air from his lungs and sending white-hot pain searing through his entire body. The force propelled him through layers of crumbling stone, which shattered and scattered like broken glass around him, until he landed in a dark, shadow-laden room on the other side. His world spun as he lay still, his mind fogged by pain.
"Bloody... hell…" he muttered, each word tasting of copper as he struggled to breathe, each movement a jagged pulse of agony that throbbed from his bruised ribs and seared across his chest.
A shiver crept up his spine as he heard armored footsteps approaching, slow and menacing, the eerie glow of silver eyes cutting through the shadows like razors. Jin was coming, a figure carved from darkness and wrath, his obsidian armor gilded with golden and silver inlays glowing in an ethereal light. His helm masked his face save for two eyes filled with icy, violent rage—a hatred so palpable that even the darkness itself seemed to recoil.
"Cursed mongrels... Peverell filth!" Jin's voice was laced with venom, each word carrying an ancient grudge as his silver eyes bore into Hadrian. "I will cleanse this world of your taint!"
A familiar smirk ghosted over Hadrian's lips despite the pain wracking his body. "A knight aesthetic with a katana? Bit of a mix-up, don't you think?" he quipped, his sarcasm slicing through the tension, though his grip tightened on his wand.
Jin's eyes flared with fury, and without a word, he lunged forward, Bradamante cutting the air with a ghostly whisper. Hadrian twisted desperately, but the katana's edge still caught him across the chest. He gasped as searing pain flared, blood spraying from the wound and staining his clothes, his mind reeling as he stumbled back, clutching his chest.
Before he could catch his breath, a furious screech cut through the darkness. Hedwig, feathers crackling with electricity, launched herself at Jin, claws outstretched. At the same moment, Oryou sprang forward in her smaller form, winding around Jin's armor like a black-scaled whip, her fangs snapping dangerously close to his neck.
But Jin moved with deadly grace, his katana flashing as he struck them down with chilling precision. With a brutal swipe, he sent Hedwig crashing against the stone wall, her wings faltering as she fell to the ground. Oryou followed, her serpentine form thrown back with such force that she struck the floor in a dazed, slithering heap. Their pained cries echoed through the dark, stoking the fire of Hadrian's fury as he forced himself to his feet.
With a surge of desperation, he summoned Kanshou and Bakuya, the twin blades appearing in his hands with a shimmer. He charged forward, his movements fueled by sheer will. But Jin's expression remained unreadable as he parried Hadrian's strikes, each movement precise and unyielding. In one devastating blow, Jin shattered the twin swords, sending shards of metal scattering.
Hadrian barely had time to process the loss before Jin's armored hand shot out, gripping him by the throat with a crushing strength. He was lifted from the ground, his feet dangling as he gasped for air, his vision darkening at the edges.
Jin sneered, his voice a venomous whisper. "You and your cursed blood… nothing but a stain on the world."
With brutal force, he slammed Hadrian against the stone wall. Cracks spread like webs across the surface, and before Hadrian could react, he was thrown across the room, crashing into the ground with bone-rattling impact. Pain flared through every inch of his body, but still, he pushed himself up, the defiance in his gaze unwavering as he stared down the armored figure advancing on him.
While Hadrian struggled, Sieg was locked in a deadly dance with the Bone Dragon and Draugrheim. The undead dragon's bony tail whipped through the air, each movement a calculated attempt to crush him. Sieg moved with practiced precision, ducking and sidestepping, the muscles in his arms and legs straining as he fought to evade the onslaught.
Behind the creature, Draugrheim hovered like a twisted conductor, casting spells with a smirk as if Sieg were merely entertainment. "Dance, little dragon-spawn," he taunted, his voice a mocking echo that grated on Sieg's nerves.
Sieg's blood-red eyes narrowed. He knew he had to end this—and soon. His movements became more calculated, his strikes aimed not at the dragon but at forcing it into position, drawing it in line with Draugrheim. He ducked under a snapping jaw, feeling the hot, rancid breath of the undead beast on his skin as he maneuvered both enemies into place. Each dodge and strike burned with exhaustion, his chest heaving as he fought to keep his focus.
Finally, the necromancer moved into alignment behind his creation. Sieg gritted his teeth, planting his feet firmly as he raised Balmung high. A surge of draconic power roared to life within him, the blade glowing with an intense blue light as mana swirled around it like a storm.
"BALMUNG!" he shouted, his voice echoing through the chamber.
A wave of pure energy exploded from the blade, tearing through the Bone Dragon's form. The creature crumbled to dust, and the beam continued, racing toward Draugrheim. The necromancer's face twisted in terror, his hands rising to cast defensive spells, but each one shattered as the energy washed over him. His scream was cut short as he was consumed, his form dissolving into nothingness.
The chamber shook with the aftermath, the walls trembling under the force of Sieg's attack, as dust and debris cascaded from the ceiling.
In the other room, Jin held Hadrian aloft by the hair, his gaze filled with an almost unholy hatred as he raised Bradamante for the final strike. "Peverell scum," he spat, drawing back for the killing blow.
Suddenly, the ground trembled violently, Sieg's attack reverberating through the chamber. Jin staggered, his grip on Hadrian loosening just enough.
Seizing his chance, Hadrian grabbed the shattered hilt of Bakuya, its jagged edge still sharp. With a desperate yell, he drove it into the unprotected socket of Jin's eye. The knight roared in agony, his grip slipping as he reeled back, his silver eye now a bloody ruin.
Hadrian stumbled back, blood dripping from his wounds as he raised his wand, eyes blazing with fierce determination. "Ignis Diabolica!"
A torrent of cursed flames erupted from his wand, engulfing Jin in a searing inferno. The knight's screams filled the hall, the flames licking over his armor, melting away the dark metal, until he finally crumbled, leaving only charred remnants of his once-fearsome form.
Hadrian collapsed to his knees, his vision dimming as exhaustion took hold. Hedwig, bruised but determined, hobbled to his side, her wings fluttering weakly as she began to cry healing tears over his wounds. Each drop was a balm, mending cuts and soothing broken bones, though her gaze remained filled with worry.
Oryou slithered over, her scales bruised and cracked, her breathing ragged. She nudged against Hadrian's hand, her usual sass absent as she looked at him with concern.
Amid the ruins, where Jin had fallen, Bradamante lay gleaming darkly, its blade unmarred by the flames. A faint red glow pulsed from it, casting eerie shadows in the dim light, its aura both inviting and menacing.
Moments later, Sieg entered, his form slowly reverting to human as scales faded from his skin, his blood-red eyes scanning the wreckage. His gaze settled on Hadrian, now unconscious, with Hedwig tending to his wounds and Oryou keeping watch. Then he noticed the blade lying in the rubble—a weapon that still thrummed with dark energy.
Hedwig lifted her head, feathers singed but her spirit unbroken. "We need to leave… I can flash us out, but grab the sword and the remains of Kanshou and Bakuya," she said, her voice wavering but resolute.
Sieg nodded, quickly collecting the shattered pieces of Hadrian's blades. He then reached for Bradamante, its dark energy resonating within him as he grasped the hilt. For a moment, the blade pulsed in his hand, as if testing his resolve before settling into an ominous stillness.
Gathering around Hedwig, they braced themselves as she spread her wings. A golden glow enveloped them, the heat radiating from her feathers intensifying until it engulfed them entirely. With a flash, they vanished, leaving the ruined chamber and echoes of their battle behind.
Chapter 27: After the Ashes
The world came back to Hadrian in a haze of dull throbs and muted colors. He opened his eyes to a faint golden light filtering in through a window, casting soft shadows across the room. The sterile scent of healing potions hung in the air, mixed with the hum of subtle magic pulsing through the walls.
"Oh, look. Sleeping Beauty has finally decided to wake up," a familiar voice remarked dryly, breaking the silence.
Hadrian blinked, his gaze focusing on Hedwig perched on a nearby table, her feathers slightly ruffled and her golden eyes gleaming with amusement. Beside her, Oryou lay coiled with a smirk curling over her reptilian features.
"About time, too," Oryou hissed in a teasing tone. "Do you know how hard it is to watch you drool in your sleep?"
With a soft groan, Hadrian tried to push himself upright, feeling every muscle protest. "Drool? Really?" he muttered, casting them both a half-hearted glare. "And here I thought near-death experiences would bring out some sympathy."
Hedwig tilted her head, her gaze sympathetic but firm. "If you're hoping for a sympathy card, you're looking in the wrong place. But congratulations on surviving, at least."
"Lucky for you, someone was willing to drag you here," Oryou added, gesturing with her tail.
Hadrian glanced around, noting the distinctive glowing runes and soothing ambiance of a magical healing ward. "Where exactly is 'here'?"
"Sankthavn Hospital," Hedwig supplied, her gaze softening. "In Nordhavn Magisk Kvarter. Sieg brought you here himself."
Hadrian managed a faint, grateful smile, his mind flickering back to the battle. "He really carried me out? Guess that guy's more dependable than he looks." His eyes drifted to a nearby table, where two bundles wrapped in cloth lay waiting. Oryou's gaze flicked toward them, drawing his attention.
"He left you a few things," she said, her voice carrying a hint of solemnity.
Hadrian leaned forward, pulling the first bundle closer. He unwrapped it slowly, and the cloth fell away to reveal a collection of twisted, shattered metal—the remnants of Kanshou and Bakuya. The sight hit him like a punch to the gut. Those blades had been with him through every battle, loyal extensions of his will. Now, they lay broken, nothing more than fragments of what they once were.
He traced a finger over the jagged edges, his expression tightening as a quiet grief settled over him. It wasn't just the loss of weapons; it felt like a piece of himself had been left behind on that battlefield.
Hedwig's voice softened. "They served you well, Hadrian. They were part of you."
He nodded, swallowing hard as he wrapped the shards carefully back in the cloth. Finally, he turned to the second bundle, his movements slower, more hesitant. When he pulled away the cloth, a sleek, dark blade came into view—a katana, its edge tinged with a faint, ominous red glow. Energy pulsed faintly along its surface, as though it held a consciousness of its own, waiting for his command.
"That," Hedwig said, her tone shifting to something proud and approving, "is your first Demon Arm."
Hadrian hefted the blade, feeling its weight settle naturally in his grip. He swung it in a slow arc, testing the balance. It felt eerily familiar, like an extension of himself, each movement effortless, each shift of his grip answered with a subtle hum from the blade.
"Not bad," he muttered, giving it another swing, the air parting with a low hiss. "Not bad at all."
Leaving his familiars to watch in silence, he moved toward the window, summoning his well-worn white plastic chair with a casual flick of his fingers. He sank into it, gazing out as the sun dipped toward the horizon, painting the sky in shades of amber and violet. Resting the katana across his lap, he watched the colors shift and fade, the weight of the day pressing heavily on his mind.
Oryou slithered over, curling around his chair. "Sieg left a message for you, by the way."
Hedwig perched on the windowsill, her gaze gentle. "He wanted you to know it was an honor fighting beside you. And he promised to keep your heritage a secret."
Hadrian's mouth lifted in a small, rare smile. "He's got honor, that one."
His gaze dropped to Bradamante, his fingers tightening around the hilt as memories of Jin's wrath flooded back. That nightmarish power, the ease with which Jin had overwhelmed him—it had been a humbling, chilling reminder of the battles yet to come.
"We only won because of luck and a few surprises," he said quietly, bitterness lining his voice. "Jin was barely trying."
Hedwig's eyes narrowed. "Don't sell yourself short. That knight's rage blinded him. You're here because you adapted. You survived."
Hadrian let out a dry laugh. "He was more interested in throwing fists than using his sword. If he'd really wielded it…" He trailed off, casting a wary glance at Bradamante, feeling the latent power radiating from the blade. "We wouldn't have stood a chance."
Meanwhile, in the maze-like alleys of Nordhavn Magisk Kvarter, Sieg walked in silence, the familiar shadows casting long, jagged patterns on the cobbled stones. His mind drifting back to the battle, the thrill of victory tempered by the weight of what they'd encountered. Shadows stretched along the stone walls, darkened further by the faint haze of evening.
His solitude was short-lived.
"Did you have fun?" The voice was dark, teasing, with a hint of amusement.
Sieg stopped, his senses sharpening. From the darkness stepped a striking figure—a woman with short, choppy platinum hair, eyes the color of molten gold that gleamed with a fierce, unyielding intensity. Her armor was dark, almost black, adorned with jagged, flame-like patterns, giving her a menacing presence. A cape of tattered black and blood-red billowed behind her, the fabric shifting like shadows clinging to her form.
"Jeanne," Sieg said, his tone calm but edged with familiarity. "Enjoying the view?"
She smirked. "More than expected." Her gaze lingered on him, sharp and assessing. "And what of you? How was your hunt?"
"Interesting, thanks to a Devil Hunter I ran into. Hadrian Redgrave." His words were cautious, the name slipping out carefully.
Jeanne's eyebrow arched. "Oh? And who exactly is Hadrian Redgrave?"
Sieg's expression didn't waver. "Just a name. I gave him my word to keep the rest to myself."
She gave a short, disdainful laugh, though her eyes softened just a fraction. "How very noble of you."
They shared a silence that held unspoken words, a fragile truce of mutual respect. But the quiet was shattered when both their gazes snapped to the clocktower. Perched on the top was a raven, its beady eyes trained intently on them, a silent observer cloaked in shadow.
Jeanne's irritation was instant. Her expression twisted in disdain. "So much for privacy." She turned to Sieg, her eyes blazing with a fierce determination. Before he could react, she grabbed him by the collar and pulled him into a heated kiss, a mixture of defiance and something darker simmering beneath the surface.
The raven cocked its head, watching them as Jeanne lifted her hand, extending a pointed middle finger at their watcher.
With a flick of her wrist, black flames erupted around them, consuming both her and Sieg in a flash of dark energy leaving behind only smoke. The raven cocked its head, letting out a sharp, dissatisfied caw before taking flight, its form blending with the night as it returned to deliver its report.
In the dim light of Eldrun's shop, Huginn and Muninn settled onto their perches, feathers fluffed and irritated from their interrupted watch. Eldrun, the guise of Odin, stood before them, his gaze piercing as he awaited their report.
The ravens cawed in unison, relaying the events they had witnessed. A slow smile spread across Odin's face, his fingers steepling as he considered the implications.
"So... the two lads are becoming... acquainted." His voice was a murmur, tinged with satisfaction. "The pieces are moving, then. Soon, they'll all be where they need to be."
Turning, Odin's gaze shifted out into the night, his expression thoughtful and calculating, as though already seeing the paths his players would take.
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