The path through the Black Plateau was worse than a nightmare.
Statues of ancient demon lords lined the way, broken and crumbling, yet their eyes seemed to follow them. The air was thick with the stench of decay.
They reached a massive gate made of blackened bones. Before it stood three figures: armored demons, each radiating terrifying power.
"The Guardians of Ruin," Nyxarion whispered. "Ryouma must have reawakened them."
The first guardian, a towering brute wielding a hammer of magma, stepped forward.
"You seek vengeance?" he rumbled. "Then prove your strength... or perish."
Tatsuya didn't hesitate. He charged.
The guardian swung its hammer, shaking the earth. Tatsuya dodged, barely, and struck with a bolt of pure lightning. The guardian staggered — but it wasn't enough.
Misaki unleashed a gale, slamming into the brute's back. Nyxarion, using the dark magic he once ruled, summoned chains of shadow to bind the guardian's legs.
Together, they brought it down, Tatsuya driving his sword through the guardian's heart.
The second guardian, a slender demoness with blades for hands, attacked next. She moved faster than sight, cutting deep into Misaki's arm.
Tatsuya roared, lightning crackling wildly around him. He moved faster than he ever had, catching the demoness mid-strike and blasting her into the gate.
The third guardian, a hooded figure with eyes like empty voids, simply watched.
"You are not like the others," the figure murmured. "You carry the sorrow of a lost one... and the fury of a storm yet unborn."
Tatsuya stood firm. "Move aside," he growled.
The figure smiled sadly and stepped back. "The gates are open to you, Stormbringer."
As the bones creaked and parted, Misaki leaned heavily on Tatsuya, blood dripping from her wound.
"We're almost there," she whispered.
Tatsuya nodded grimly, but inside, a terrible fear twisted.
He could feel it.
The final battle was near.