"Yume, so he's the boy I've heard about?" said Shirogane with an amused smile.
She looked at him. "Yes, that's him. Be careful—he doesn't look strong, but he is."
Kaito, who had been listening in silence, was analyzing the situation, realizing it was spiraling out of control. He looked up at the figure on the roof and said, "Can someone tell me who the he—" He didn't get to finish the sentence. A hand had suddenly landed on his shoulder. Shirogane had moved so quickly, he'd gone from the roof to Kaito's side in an instant.
"My name is Shirogane... remember it well." Just after saying that, a swift and precise punch sent Kaito flying, crashing through a tree twenty meters from the warehouse. The sound was deafening loud enough to scatter a flock of birds nearby.
Yume was stunned by the destructive force released.
"D-did you kill him?" she asked, but the young man, his arm still in an offensive stance, laughed.
"HAHAHAHAHA, what kind of question is that? You said it yourself—he's strong. Look at him!"
Yume turned toward where Kaito had been thrown. He was still standing, blades drawn, in a defensive position. His head was slightly bloodied, his face hidden from view.
(Here he comes,) thought Shirogane.
Kaito's figure vanished and reappeared just inches away. He tried to strike Shirogane with his dagger, but Shirogane dodged with ease. Kaito closed the distance again, slashing once more this time grazing Shirogane's arm.
Shirogane retaliated without delay, launching a flurry of attacks. The two moved at high speed. Kaito barely managed to dodge a kick by ducking. Taking advantage of his lowered stance, Shirogane drove a punch into his chest. Kaito quickly repositioned himself, but he knew full well his opponent was stronger.
The two locked eyes briefly before Shirogane burst out laughing.
"Hahahah, amazing you're interesting."
Kaito looked at him with disdain. For a moment, his gaze also flicked to Yume but he knew he couldn't afford distractions.
"Tell me something, you're a Spirit wielder, aren't you?"
Shirogane answered immediately.
"Hahah, yes, I am. And you, right?"
In this world, there are beings known as Spirits. A thousand years ago, they waged war on humanity. Humans prevailed by sealing the Spirits within themselves. Generation after generation, these Spirits were inherited and in rare cases, new ones were born.
Kaito kept a serious tone, but his voice was laced with anger.
"You're wrong. I don't have a Spirit."
"You're not a Spirit wielder? Don't lie to me you wouldn't have survived my first blow otherwise."
Yume's eyes widened.
"That's not possible. Kaito doesn't have a Spirit," she whispered, shocked by how he had withstood Shirogane's power.
Meanwhile, Kaito launched another attack. His blades sliced through the air, reflected in Shirogane's eyes. He'd realized—if he wanted to beat someone stronger, he'd need to blind him.
But Shirogane dodged the attack and responded with a powerful uppercut. Kaito was lifted off the ground and slammed into the dirt. Blood trickled from his mouth, but his chest still rose and fell—he was breathing.
"So, bastard... how are you still standing? A hit like that should've taken off your head if you didn't have a Spirit," Shirogane growled, furious at Kaito's resilience.
"Maybe you're just overestimating yourself," Kaito muttered, pained.
Shirogane lost it.
"YOU BASTARD!!"
From his shadow, two pale arms emerged, followed by a figure round red eyes, white skin, long black hair, a slender build, and a pitch-black outfit. His Spirit had materialized.
The figure looked around before speaking.
"Shirogane, why did you summon me to a place like this?" Her voice was soft—yet disturbing.
"Quit complaining, Kuroyami. Get ready we're going to kill that boy."
Kaito had already gotten back on his feet. He still held his blades, though his body was beaten and bruised.
"So that's your Spirit, huh?" Kaito asked through the pain.
"Yes. Be honored you made me mad enough to bring her out," Shirogane replied.
Kuroyami joined the conversation.
"I don't know what you did to my Shirogane, but if he wants you dead, I have no objections."
Kaito took a breath and said the words that would reignite the battle.
"Neither do I."
A second later, Shirogane and Kuroyami struck Kaito, slamming him into the warehouse wall. Yet he'd managed to absorb part of the hit using his blades.
"Alright, Kuroyami... let's begin. KAGE NO ITSUWARI!!!"
As those words rang out, Kaito could no longer move. (My legs... they won't move,) he thought, watching his opponent and the Spirit approach.
Kuroyami stayed still as Shirogane unleashed a barrage of punches, smashing Kaito's torso without throwing him back he was stuck in place. Blood spread across the concrete while the warehouse wall collapsed from the shockwaves.
Back against the wall, Kaito tried to defend himself with his blades but it was no use.
"I can't... He's too strong."
The blows continued until Kaito realized there was only one way to stop him: immobilize him.
(Alright, I've got no choice...)
With that thought, Kaito dropped his guard. Shirogane's punch drove through the lower part of his abdomen.
Shirogane froze then burst out laughing.
"Hahahah, gave up, huh?"
Trembling, Kaito replied,
"You're wrong... It's just... now... you're within reach!"
His blades began to glow bright blue.
"SPIRIT SLAYER!!!"
A beam of light struck Shirogane, lifting him off the ground and tearing through part of the warehouse roof before he crashed down hard.
"Hah... I hit him... Ugh... Huff... Even his Spirit... Puff... Should be taken care of."
A flicker of hope lit in Kaito's heart but it quickly died when Shirogane's silhouette appeared through the mist.
"Damn... damn you... DAMN YOUUUU!!"
Blinded by rage, Shirogane lunged at Kaito. His palm wrapped around Kaito's face, hurling him into a nearby grove. The two flew through the air, uprooting twenty trees and leaving a crater in the earth.
"Kuroyami... do it. KAGE NO ITSUWARI: KNIGHT!"
The Spirit reappeared, and from Kaito's shadow emerged a knight made of pure darkness.
"Shit..."
With a leap, Kaito got back on his feet, but a sharp pain made him scream.
"AAHHHHHHHHH!"
His right arm had been broken in the crash.
"Good. Knight hold him still."
The shadow knight obeyed instantly.
"Kuroyami KAGE NO KEN!"
A sword materialized from Shirogane's own shadow.
Kaito barely managed to stay conscious, but his vision was fading fast. There was little hope left.