The Sky Darkens Without Warning
Not clouds.
Not weather.
Something else.
Pressure Drops Across the Entire Area
Everyone feels it—
At the same time.
Hiroto's Eyes Snap Open
"…It's starting…"
Akari turns instantly
"…What now?!"
Kenzaku already knows
"…They didn't wait."
Goro steps forward
"…Of course they didn't."
Yui's voice shakes
"…This fast…?"
Tamagichi stands at the front
Still.
Calm.
But his presence—
Fully released now.
Then—
The ground trembles
A crack spreads across the earth
And from the distance—
Multiple presences appear
Not one.
Not two.
Many
Hiroto grips his blade tightly
"…This isn't just a test anymore…"
Tamagichi answers quietly
"…No."
A pause.
"…This is the beginning of the end."
The enemies step forward
One by one—
Silent—
Each one carrying presence far beyond normal
Akari steps beside Hiroto
"…We're outnumbered…"
Kenzaku corrects her
"…We're outclassed."
Yui takes a step back
"…There's too many…"
Goro stands firm
"…Then we don't let them surround us."
Tamagichi raises his hand slightly
Stopping them all
He speaks calmly
"…You don't move."
Hiroto frowns
"…What?!"
Tamagichi doesn't look back
"…This isn't your fight."
Akari immediately reacts
"…Like hell it isn't!"
Tamagichi's voice sharpens
"…If you step in…"
A pause.
"…You die instantly."
Silence hits hard
The enemies stop advancing
Then—
One steps forward
Calm.
A voice speaks
"…You're protecting them."
Tamagichi responds simply
"…Yes."
A pause
Then—
"…Move."
That's the warning
The enemy tilts their head slightly
"…No."
And in that instant—
Everything explodes into motion
Multiple figures rush forward
Tamagichi disappears
Impact—
Shockwaves ripple across the ground
Hiroto's eyes widen
"…I can't even see them…!"
Akari shields her eyes
"…They're too fast…!"
Kenzaku grits his teeth
"…This is beyond us…"
Goro watches carefully
"…No…"
A pause.
"…Watch."
In the distance—
Tamagichi stands alone
Surrounded
And yet—
None of them can touch him
Every attack—
Dodged.
Deflected.
Countered.
Effortlessly
Hiroto tightens his grip
"…He's… holding them off alone…"
The blade pulses violently
Stronger than ever before
Hiroto feels it clearly
Not fear—
A call
"…It wants me to move…"
Akari grabs his arm
"…Don't!"
Hiroto looks at her
Conflicted
Then—
A sudden shift
One enemy breaks past Tamagichi
Heading straight toward them
Kenzaku reacts instantly
"…Incoming!"
Goro steps forward
"…Stay behind me!"
The enemy closes the distance instantly
Hiroto steps forward—
Without thinking
The blade pulses—
CLASH
He blocks
But barely
The force drives him back
His arms shake violently
The enemy looks at him
Then—
"…So it's you."
That moment freezes everything
Hiroto's eyes sharpen—
As the blade pulses louder than ever before
"…Then come."
To be continued…