Akira and Kana stood at the basement's depths, facing the massive door. Red light seeped through its cracks, slicing through the school's frigid air.
Akira placed a hand on the door, voice steady. "Anomalous energy detected. Mastermind presence confirmed. Prepare for final combat."
From beyond, a low, honeyed laugh echoed. "My little lambs, you've come so far… I'm delighted. Shall we play one last game in my garden?"
The voice was cold yet alluring, the red light flaring briefly.
Akira pushed the door open. Iron groaned, and the crimson glow engulfed them.
Beyond lay a vast chamber, impossible for a basement. It resembled a traditional Japanese garden, with winding gravel paths meticulously raked. At its heart, a blood-red pond shimmered, its surface dotted with countless lotus flowers, their petals vivid and pulsing faintly, as if alive. Ancient trees ringed the pond, their branches draped with moss glistening in a red mist. The air was damp, thick with a cloying sweetness that stung the nose.
"My name is Zhu Ren," a voice declared. "The one who dyes all in red."
At the pond's center, atop a lotus, stood Zhu Ren.
She wore an old-fashioned sailor uniform, her long red hair cascading down her back, swaying despite the still air. Her beauty was otherworldly, but her eyes harbored an unfathomable darkness, and her lips curled with cruel amusement. Her porcelain skin seemed unnaturally flawless, almost unreal.
As she stepped forward, the pond rippled, and the lotuses bloomed in unison. "Welcome to my garden, Akira-kun, Kana-chan… Such adorable, pitiful lambs."
Her voice was silken, yet it sent chills down the spine.
Kana nocked an arrow, shouting to shake off her fear. "You're the one who made this nightmare! We've suffered enough because of you—I won't forgive you!"
Akira raised his true sword, calm and precise. "Commencing enemy elimination. Kana, synchronize your attacks."
Zhu Ren laughed, spreading her arms. "End it? Oh, this night belongs to me. Show me how long you lambs can struggle."
She snapped her fingers, and the pond erupted, red mist billowing. From it emerged two creatures.
One was a massive sphere of thorns, bristling with needles, rolling toward them with relentless speed. The other was a shadowy humanoid, its arms unnaturally long, fingertips glinting like blades.
Akira charged the thorn-sphere, wooden sword raised. "Neutralizing threats. Kana, attack from range."
His strike snapped needles, spraying red fluid. The creature spun faster, forcing him back, but Akira drove his true sword through its core, stilling it.
The shadow lunged at Kana, slashing with its bladed fingers. Her arrow pierced its chest, freezing it momentarily. She fired again, pinning it to the wall. "Akira, now!"
"Affirmative. Disabling target."
Akira's sword cleaved the shadow, and it dissolved into mist.
Zhu Ren, unfazed, remained poised on her lotus. "Not bad… but is that all?"
With a wave of her hand, the pond surged, a crimson wave crashing toward them. Akira shielded Kana, slicing through the water with his sword.
"Kana, keep attacking. She's the primary target."
Kana aimed her bow at Zhu Ren. "I'm ending this night. That laugh of yours? It's done!"
Her arrow flew, but Zhu Ren flicked a finger, and lotus petals flared like a shield, deflecting it.
Zhu Ren giggled, chillingly sweet. "Let's play more, my lambs!"
She spread her arms wide, and countless red vines erupted from the pond, snaking toward Akira and Kana to ensnare them.
Akira hacked through the vines, while Kana countered with arrows. Their teamwork was seamless, and for the first time, a flicker of unease crossed Zhu Ren's smile.
The battle intensified, the underground garden transforming into a blood-soaked battlefield.