Reo and Akime sprinted through the dense forest, branches whipping their faces. Akime skidded to a halt, pointing ahead. "Look—a cave! We can hide there until Narcissus arrives."

  Reo nodded, catching his breath. "Sounds like a plan. Let's gather leaves and sticks for a door covering."

  They slipped inside the cave, Akime scanning the shadows. "It's huge in here."They dashed about, gathering armfuls of sticks and leaves, then wove a makeshift covering over the entrance.

  As flames crackled to life from their fire, Reo and Akime slumped against the walls, finally resting.

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  Hours dragged by in the cave, night cloaking the forest outside. No sign of Narcissus. Worry etched their faces as rain poured relentlessly, silence heavy.Reo stood abruptly. "Let's go find him."He stepped toward the entrance—a deafening bang echoed through the storm, like someone smashed against a tree stump.

  Lightning cracked the sky with a deafening roar, illuminating Narcissus at the cave entrance—drenched in blood, his katana gleaming crimson under the flash.

  Reo surged forward. "Did you get him? Where's the demon?”

  Narcissus’s eyes stared back—lifeless, blank voids. "On that tree."akime whipped around. The demon's torso impaled the trunk, pinned by its own sickles. Head and legs—gone.

  Narcissus flicked the blood from his katana with a sharp snap. "Let's sleep. Training tomorrow."

  He strode inside, propped his blade against the wall, and collapsed into sleep. Akime and Reo locked eyes—relief washing over their tense faces.