Maruki’s gaze hardened, watching Kou withstand physical devastation that would have reduced a lesser man to dust. The sheer force of Fafnir’s attack had sent him flying, yet here Kou stood, bloodied but unbroken, defiant rage burning in his crimson eyes.
From the gilded platform above, Maruki sighed, his heart clenching painfully. He stepped closer to the edge of the shimmering tapestry beneath his feet, his golden sanctuary now battered and fraying from the chaos erupting below. Kou’s perception of him was painfully clear—a maniac, a tyrant. And as much as Maruki hated to admit it, perhaps there was truth in that.
Tentacles unfurled from the gilded decor as Maruki descended, spidering down the crumbling structure. He landed lightly, his figure illuminated by the flickering remnants of shadows that writhed around Kou. The once pristine entrance to his idealized reality was in ruins, the gleaming architecture shattered by Kou’s relentless assault. It would take a decent amount of time to repair everything back to normal...
The shadows were thinning, their numbers dwindling, and Maruki’s calm facade was beginning to crack.
Kou…
He couldn’t shake the image of the younger man’s grief—the weight of his trauma, the raw fury that had consumed him in the absence of his Goro Akechi. Maruki’s intentions had been pure, hadn’t they? The chance to offer closure, a moment of connection, even if it was through a fragile cognitive projection.
But now, staring at Kou’s searing anger and heartbreak, Maruki felt the sharp sting of regret. "I-"
Before he could say a word, Kou made his move.
The towering figure of Palnatoke surged behind him, its presence monumental. A wave of almighty energy began to coalesce, white and violet light crackling with untamed power.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Maruki’s eyes widened as the Megidolaon detonated, a devastating explosion tearing through the remaining shadows.
He shielded his face as the magic surged toward him, obliterating the last of his summoned defenses. By the time he lowered his hand, Kou was already locked onto him, his blazing eyes filled with righteous fury.
1/2
From the gilded platform above, Maruki sighed, his heart clenching painfully. He stepped closer to the edge of the shimmering tapestry beneath his feet, his golden sanctuary now battered and fraying from the chaos erupting below. Kou’s perception of him was painfully clear—a maniac, a tyrant. And as much as Maruki hated to admit it, perhaps there was truth in that.
Tentacles unfurled from the gilded decor as Maruki descended, spidering down the crumbling structure. He landed lightly, his figure illuminated by the flickering remnants of shadows that writhed around Kou. The once pristine entrance to his idealized reality was in ruins, the gleaming architecture shattered by Kou’s relentless assault.
It would take a decent amount of time to repair everything back to normal...
The shadows were thinning, their numbers dwindling, and Maruki’s calm facade was beginning to crack.
Kou…
He couldn’t shake the image of the younger man’s grief—the weight of his trauma, the raw fury that had consumed him in the absence of his Goro Akechi. Maruki’s intentions had been pure, hadn’t they? The chance to offer closure, a moment of connection, even if it was through a fragile cognitive projection.
But now, staring at Kou’s searing anger and heartbreak, Maruki felt the sharp sting of regret. "I-"
Before he could say a word, Kou made his move.
The towering figure of Palnatoke surged behind him, its presence monumental. A wave of almighty energy began to coalesce, white and violet light crackling with untamed power.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Maruki’s eyes widened as the Megidolaon detonated, a devastating explosion tearing through the remaining shadows.
He shielded his face as the magic surged toward him, obliterating the last of his summoned defenses. By the time he lowered his hand, Kou was already locked onto him, his blazing eyes filled with righteous fury.