Dawn crept slowly over the academy, but its light failed to reach the hearts of those within. A suffocating tension gripped the halls like fog, thick and inescapable. Even the birds did not dare to sing.
Saelan Voltaire stood atop the Observation Tower, his robes flowing gently in the morning breeze. Below, the courtyard where he had first challenged Asari now lay silent, empty.
"So this is how it ends," he whispered, drawing the crimson blade from its ceremonial sheath. It pulsed, alive with ancient energy, thrumming to the beat of his breath.
The scroll he had activated the night before burned black in his chambers. The curse was complete.
And Asari was coming.
Across the academy, Asari walked calmly toward the tower. No guards stopped him. No students blocked his path. They parted like a sea, watching as he passed, some in awe, others in dread.
Aicha wheeled beside him, her hands tight on the rims of her chair. She said nothing, but her presence grounded him. She had chosen to follow him—and Asari, for once, accepted it.
"He's waiting," Aicha said.
"I know."
The climb to the tower felt eternal. Each step was a drumbeat toward conclusion.
When they reached the summit, Asari stepped into the chamber alone.
Saelan stood at the center. The blade in his hand crackled with forbidden power. His smile had returned—but it was hollow.
"You finally came," Saelan said. "I was worried you'd disappoint me."
Asari said nothing. His eyes dropped to the weapon, then rose to meet Saelan's gaze.
"So, this is the true you."
"No masks, no games. Just a monster fighting a devil."
"Then let the devil devour you."
The floor cracked as Asari launched forward.
Saelan moved with equal speed, the cursed blade slashing arcs of blood-red energy. The first strike missed—but the second grazed Asari's cheek. His blood sizzled against the blade.
"It drinks essence," Saelan whispered. "Every strike, it feeds."
"Then it'll starve."
Asari ducked beneath the next swing and delivered a brutal knee to Saelan's gut. Bones cracked. But Saelan didn't falter—the curse held his body together.
They exchanged blows at a pace too fast for ordinary eyes. Each strike shook the walls. Stones cracked. Windows shattered. The sky darkened.
Then—a scream.
Saelan's body expanded unnaturally, cursed energy twisting his form into a grotesque humanoid beast. His skin burned away, revealing veins of black fire.
"You pushed me to this!" he roared. "Now watch what you've created!"
But Asari didn't blink.
He walked forward.
Through the flames.
Through the fury.
And buried his fist into Saelan's chest.
The sound was sickening.
Like thunder meeting flesh.
Saelan choked. His blade fell. His mutated arms twitched.
"This was never your story," Asari said softly.
With one twist, he tore the cursed heart from Saelan's chest.
The body crumbled into ash.
Silence returned.
Hours later, Asari stood at the academy gates. Behind him, chaos reigned. Students argued. Staff resigned. The institution had fractured beyond repair.
Aicha rolled to his side. "Where now?"
Asari looked toward the horizon.
"Dummer was just a beginning. I need to know what else is out there."
Aicha hesitated, then nodded. "Then so do I."
Asari placed a hand on her shoulder. "You don't have to follow me."
"I want to. I need to. If I stay, they'll destroy me. If I go with you... maybe I can become someone new."
He didn't respond. But his silence was permission.
Together, they walked away from the ruins of the academy.
One a devil.
The other, a girl once broken.
Now both hunters of a greater world.
Arc 1 End.