A blue light flickered in the cracks of the earth where Ryumaru Oda stood. In an instant, the glow enveloped his body, seeping into his pores and veins. The light in his eyes faded, replaced by spirals of red and blue; his hair grew longer, his skin thickened like steel, and the gaze of a man vanished, overtaken by the fiery aura of a Yokai that consumed everything in its path. Each heartbeat resonated, carrying pure power that craved chaos. "Father," he whispered, his voice brushing against the line between sorrow and rage.

  Nobuzan screamed, “Father!”

  She attempted to move forward, but Fitran blocked her path. “Don’t be foolish, Nobuzan! Do you want to see him consumed by this obsession?” Fitran's voice was cold, yet laced with deception. “He is no longer your father. He is a monster waiting for the chance to devour his own child.”

  Fitran, his expression unyielding, said, “Don’t. Children aren’t made to kill their own parents, Nobuzan.”

  Nobuzan trembled, fighting against her emotions. “You know what he’ll do—he’s not even my father anymore!” In her anguish, there was defiance and untapped strength. Her body shook, her fists clenched, the urge to fight growing stronger.

  Fitran gazed at her without mercy, “That's why it wasn't you who ended it.” His voice was soft, like an alluring siren. “This Yokai requires proper handling. Let my fingers of fate greet it. Do you want to be the one to end this cycle?”

  Unity Entity stood beside Fitran, her eyes calculating every new power emanating from Ryumaru's form. “Abnormal energy detected. Subject Oda Ryumaru—active transformation. Spiral correlation and Genesis Flame: maximum.” Each word from Unity depicted the awakening strength, a harmony between human nature and legendary beings.

  From Ryumaru's body, flames extended, forming a crown and cloak of Yokai. His voice became dual—half human, half ancient vengeful being. “The traitorous child… the betrayer of the world… I will burn your name to ashes!” Ryumaru screamed, his voice trembling, creating dark vibrations in the air. The flames surrounding him danced, signaling terrible power.

  Nobuzan held back tears, one hand clutching her abdomen, the other gripping the hilt of the legendary fire sword—Everburning Crescent. She inhaled deeply, recalling sweet memories, “He was my father—even now, all of that may just be an illusion.”

  Fitran, with sharp eyes, grinned, “Unity. Executioner Mode. Stop her; we don't need any human souls in there, just the darkness we truly desire.” Her voice was filled with excitement, as if she were unveiling a truth that only a few could comprehend.

  Unity activated the Wingblade Arsenal. Her mechanical wings unfurled, silver-blue blades shimmering like dancing night lights, while her right arm transformed into a spiraling sword of light that buzzed with energy. An energy shield rose on her left arm, projecting a sparkling aura as if it were a shield from another world.

  Unity declared firmly, “Instructions acknowledged. Initiating: Yokai Neutralization.” The presence of those words heightened the tension in the atmosphere. Every individual on the battlefield felt a shift in energy, as if time had momentarily frozen.

  Saburo and Takeshi drove away the remaining Oda citizens, “Stay away from the battlefield! Everyone fall back to the barricade!” Their voices trembled, laced with overwhelming fear yet faced with a courage that seemed fragile.

  Kaoru gripped her spear and whispered to Kei, “This is no longer a war of humans… this is a battle between light and darkness.” Her breath felt heavy, as if carrying a weight that couldn't be fully expressed.

  Ryumaru (Yokai) leaped, the Genesis flames sweeping across the ground in a roaring torrent, creating a dramatic movement. With just one strike, magma erupted from the vast chasm created, illustrating unimaginable destructive power. Amid the chaos, Fitran smirked slyly. “Look, that chaos is our opportunity. Every flame ignited is a friend we can manipulate.” He turned, calmly plotting his strategy, his sharp calculations gradually revealing themselves.

  Unity soared swiftly, her wings slicing through the air and flames, as if running through the darkness enveloping the area. Each beat of her wings was a prophecy, predicting Ryumaru's movements with an accuracy that grazed the limits of performance.

  Unity, in a flat voice, said, “Soul Data Shield—Deploy.”

  With those words, the spiral magic began to whirl, creating a shimmering transparent shield. The spiral shield deflected the explosions of fire, but the power of Yokai Ryumaru far exceeded predictions. As if responding to the challenge, he slashed with his fiery claws, forming an ancient seal in the air. “Why do you resist fate, Unity? Know that all of this will culminate in the void that will envelop the world!”

  Ryumaru (Yokai), thundering amid the explosions, proclaimed, “The name Oda, the legacy of blood, you have become the world's curse!”

  Unity spun with agility, launching a counterattack as the Wingblade Arsenal unleashed dozens of mini blades striking from various angles. “My plan doesn’t stop here,” she hissed. In the heat of battle, there was a glint of determination in her eyes that pierced like a heartbeat, revealing that every edge of the blade was a step closer to victory.

  With a calm yet powerful voice, Unity commanded, “Wingblade—Scatter Formation.”

  Ryumaru’s claws struck the ground, creating a shockwave that reduced half the blades to ashes. “So na?ve, Eloi,” he whispered dismissively. However, two blades managed to breach his defenses, tearing into Ryumaru’s shoulder—where the wound bled a fierce fire instead of blood, spewing forth spirals of embers. As the flames consumed the darkness, Ryumaru’s words resonated, crossing the boundary between light and shadow: “You all fail to recognize the darkness you’ve created.”

  Nobuzan shouted, “Father, stop! This isn’t the path of Oda!”

  Fitran stood at the back, a faint smile gracing her dark features. “Ah, Nobuzan, the remaining flesh will be sorrowful if left uneaten. Behind all of this, your actions are a choice. Are you prepared to step further, or will you remain trapped between hope and reality?”

  Listening to the conversation, Ryumaru shifted his gaze, as if assessing the other side of this brutal battle, where morality blurred the meaning of true victory. “What do you want, Fitran?” he asked, questioning the intent behind her words.

  Ryumaru (Yokai), softly murmured, “The name… of a child… sacrificed for the sake of the world…” His eyes reflected hopeful longing, as if that name could save him from the encroaching darkness.

  Fitran looked at Nobuzan, her eyes shimmering with arrogance, “You know what you must do—don't interfere. Every action you take now affects the fate of everyone.”

  This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

  Nobuzan bowed her head, tears falling to the ground, emphasizing the depth of pain in her heart, “But… she is my family…” Her voice trembled faintly, as if seeking understanding and sympathy.

  Fitran, cold and manipulative, said, “The only way to save your family is to entrust their destruction to those who harbor no love. Let Unity and me take responsibility for extinguishing all the hope you hold.”

  Unity launched another attack; this wasn’t just an assault; it was a symphony of anger. This time, her wings transformed into a whip and a blazing spiral shield.

  Unity, with a powerful voice, declared, “Soul Locking Protocol—Active.”

  The whip wrapped around Ryumaru's arm, while the spiral shield encased his head, restraining the fiery Yokai energy. As dark light enveloped the space, the resonance of energy shattered the silence.

  Ryumaru (Yokai) roared, loud enough to shake the entire arena, “No machine can withstand Oda! Technique—Burning Vengeance!” His voice crackled like thunder in the night sky, reinforcing his determination to break all boundaries.

  His body lit up brightly, and a spiral explosion kicked Unity back, demolishing three stone pillars. Unity's armor cracked all over, and the physical impact halted her for a moment. The adaptive system vibrated rapidly, repairing the damaged parts by absorbing metal from the surroundings, signaling that every weakness could be transformed into strength.

  Unity, her voice glitching slightly, reported, “Damage at 32%. Adaptive Healing Mode: On.” The autonomy of this system wasn't just a program; it was an expression of continuous life, in harmony with the resurgence of the void.

  Fitran observed the battle data, her analytical eyes absorbing every movement of Ryumaru. “The spiral energy is bound to a name, but your father's soul still lingers within, trapped in dark memories. Unity, avoid fatal hits, engage seal mode.”

  Unity, recalibrating her position against the threat, responded, “Initiating: Spiral Seal. Recalibrating—Rune of Banishment.” The rune glowed with invisible power, merging with the energy around them, creating a barrier between them and the void.

  The rune symbols shone on Unity's wings, projecting a sealing circle onto the ground. In the dim light, Ryumaru's voice (Yokai) echoed, “You think that seal can stop me? Just watch what I can do!”

  However, Ryumaru suddenly shattered the spiral whip with a thunderous cry, leaping high, his hands transforming into massive swords of fire blazing with fury. “Final Oda Art—Eclipse Incineration!” he shouted, his voice rising hauntingly through the air.

  She slammed two swords into the ground, unleashing a spiral of fire in every direction. The wave of power burned every inch, shattering the magical barriers that melted like candle wax, the distant screams of terrified townsfolk echoed, weaving a melody of fear. Amidst the chaos, Fitran just smiled. “And so, the beauty of a moment that fades. One sacrifice for the whole.”

  Unity, spinning in the air, formed a double spiral shield with the essence of the ocean on its surface. “Double Soul Barrier—Defend!” she declared with a firm tone, her spirit unflinching despite the creeping doubts in her mind.

  The two shields absorbed most of the flames, yet Genesis energy still broke through, producing a deafening roar that tore through Unity's anxiety. “Thinking so ambitiously, you fail to realize that the brilliance of light can consume those who shine too brightly,” Fitran sighed, his voice smooth and calm, laden with a veiled threat wrapped in sarcasm. The blazing fire scorched part of Unity's left arm armor, a searing pain reminding her of the thin line between victory and ruin.

  Mira shouted from a safe distance, “If Unity’s barrier falls, every city will burn! We don’t have time; we need to act now!”

  “Oh, but Mira, this is all just part of the plan,” Fitran replied with a disgusting grin. “Let her try; each step she takes binds her to me more deeply. From emptiness, we can discover true strength.”

  Fitran whispered to Unity, “Use the backup chip, transfer Ryumaru’s soul data into the Genesis buffer. Don’t let the fire take over completely.” His voice was rough, holding the tension that enveloped them, as if a bleak future awaited behind the raging flames.

  Unity activated the Genesis chip, “Soul Data Backup—Start.” With a decision that felt heavy, her system responded, emitting a low hum before a blue light circle emerged from Unity’s chest, piercing Ryumaru’s (Yokai) heart. This process created a blend of fleeting hope and lurking darkness as Ryumaru began to tremble, as if resisting. Two personalities—Yokai and human—were battling within the same body.

  Ryumaru (Yokai), his voice fluctuating between human and Yokai, exclaimed, “Nobuzan… run… or I’ll burn… your name…!” His breath was filled with pain and anger, creating uncertainty in Nobuzan’s heart.

  Nobuzan closed her mouth, stifling a sob. She drew the Everburning Crescent, doubt flooding her mind—she wanted to run, but Fitran cunningly held her arm. “Try to understand, Nobuzan,” she said, her tone soft yet sharp, “what you’re witnessing isn’t just a battle. This is the end of everything you know.”

  Fitran's tone turned firm, “Don’t, Nobuzan. Don’t erase the bloodline of Oda by your own hand. You’re carrying the next generation. Finish this here, or the curse of Yamato will be eternal.” Her words were like delicate strands woven tightly into Nobuzan's resolve, forcing her to weigh the greater risks. She knew just how thin the line was between salvation and destruction.

  Unity spun rapidly, her shimmering wings transforming into a rune-covered barrier, ready to face the increasingly wild power of Ryumaru. The system alerted, “Spiral energy overload. System requires recalibration.” The warning echoed, blending with the sorrow as Unity witnessed the inevitable destruction.

  Ryumaru (Yokai) screamed, the voices of Oda merging with Kagutsuchi Ura, “Fire… will… annihilate everything…!” His rage erupted like juice from overripe fruit, crushing any faint glimmer of hope nearby.

  With a single strike, Ryumaru shattered the altar stone, forcing Unity to retreat far back. Unity's armor cracked in several places, her left wing folding in. Amidst the chaos, Fitran's thoughts pierced through the noise. He understood that this moment was the time to act. But with a brutal algorithm, Unity initiated a rapid repair and counterattacked.

  Unity shouted, “Initiate—Full Arsenal Mode!” Her voice resonated, replacing hope with fear. All blades and weapons unfolded, additional drones descended from the sky, forming a spiral seal pattern in the air and on the ground, creating a terrifying image. Ryumaru (Yokai) deflected them one by one, his body starting to emit black smoke, his eyes shining with madness. At the same time, Fitran watched with a smirk, thinking of the next step he had planned long ago.

  All blades and weapons unfold, with additional drones descending from the sky, forming a spiral seal pattern in the air and on the ground.

  Ryumaru (Yokai) deflected them one by one, his body starting to emit black smoke, his eyes growing increasingly wild. He shouted, “Do you think all this effort is in vain, Unity? Pure power cannot be conquered!”

  From a distance, Saburo and Takeshi restrained the civilians. Saburo, his voice tense, said, “If Unity loses, there will be no more hope!”

  “Hope?” Takeshi replied, clenching his fists, “What we call hope is nothing but an illusion!”

  Fitran observed, his fingers dancing in the air, inscribing magical codes onto the digital panel.

  Fitran whispered, “Don’t let anyone cross the boundaries. Nobuzan, make sure the baby inside you isn't touched by the spiral energy. That energy can seduce a weak soul.”

  He smirked, “Every action has a price. Think carefully about what holds more value—someone's life or a greater future?”

  Unity and Ryumaru were locked in a brutal battle. Explosions, seals, incantations, and fire battered the area. Ryumaru's giant form was marred with wounds and embers, yet he showed no signs of weakening. The power of his Genesis Flame consumed everything, casting a terrifying light.

  Unity began to lose energy, her systems overheating, but she pressed on with her resistance. “Ready to give up?” Ryumaru taunted with a booming voice, “You won’t find an escape from here!”

  Unity, her voice more mechanical, stated, “Master, the main energy is depleting. Awaiting further commands.”

  Fitran replied flatly, “Hold on. Lock in its movements. I’ll set up a counterplan.” His voice was calm, yet each word carried a heavy, mysterious weight, as if it could draw their fates into darkness.

  Ryumaru (Yokai) let out a fierce roar, “There is no key to Oda's will!”

  His body erupted once more, sending Unity stumbling back. In the final second, Unity managed to bind Ryumaru's arms with her spiral wings, holding back the ultimate explosion right above the city. Fitran’s voice echoed in her mind, “Get ready; everything is part of my plan. The fate you choose will become my weapon.”