The rain hadn't stopped in three days.
The trio sat in a quiet, smoky tavern. Minamoto picked at her plate while Yue leaned forward, watching the strange hooded man across from them—an informant with more teeth than morals. His voice was like gravel soaked in whiskey.
"You're lookin' for the one that calls himself Maggorath. Big bastard. Not your average demon. One of his—your daddy's loyal dogs."
Hayato's eyes lit up with a kind of fire that didn't warm. The name curled around his spine like barbed wire.
"Where?" he asked, tone flat, but fury creeping in from the cracks.
"North of here. Abandoned stronghold deep in the Witherwoods. But listen—he's not just muscle. That thing's been feeding on fear for decades. Normal people don't get near and stay sane."
Minamoto grabbed Hayato's sleeve before he could stand.
"We need to prepare. Scout the area. Make a plan."
But Hayato was already moving.
"I don't have time for plans."
He left that night. Alone.
The Witherwoods weren't just cursed—they whispered. Trees leaned like eavesdroppers. The air was thick, heavy with decay. Hayato marched forward, sword at his side, Kurai's power humming faintly through the hilt. His flames burned just slightly darker than before.
He reached the demon's lair—a shattered cathedral taken over by vines and shadow. Inside stood Maggorath, towering, grotesque, with skin like cracked obsidian and glowing, sickly green eyes.
"You smell like your father," Maggorath hissed. "Same arrogance. Same weakness."
Hayato attacked first, a blaze of speed and fury, fire trailing like comet tails. But Maggorath was faster—stronger. He hurled Hayato through stone walls like a toy.
Still, Hayato rose. Bloodied. Breathing hard. Eyes glowing.
"I'm not him. I'll never be him."
The fight raged on. Maggorath struck deep, claws ripping armor and skin. Hayato's flames flickered, fading, then surged again—hotter, darker. Kurai's energy pulsed inside the blade, but even that wasn't enough.
He dropped to one knee. Everything burned. His breath came ragged.
Just as Maggorath raised his arm to finish it—
"MOVE!" Minamoto's voice cut through the chaos.
A flash of light. Yue's protective barrier intercepted the blow. The two stood beside him now, weapons drawn, eyes fierce.
"You complete idiot," Minamoto muttered, lifting Hayato up."We're not letting you die alone," Yue added.
Together, the trio faced Maggorath. And this time, Hayato didn't fight alone.