DARKS(DxD)

The room was thick with tension as Lily's quivering voice broke the silence.

"Sister?"

All eyes snapped to the disheveled woman standing before them, her identity now laid bare. The pallid figure with white hair met Lily's gaze, her expression inscrutable.

"Sister? Can it truly be you?" Lily's voice wavered between hope and disbelief as she took a tentative step forward.

The mysterious woman remained silent, her eyes locked onto Lily's, seeming to weigh the reality of the moment.

"Lily, take it slow," I whispered, wrapping an arm around her trembling form. "She's not going anywhere."

Nodding, Lily drew a deep breath. "Sister, it's Lily. Do you remember me? I thought I'd lost you..."

The woman's lips parted, and a raspy whisper escaped, "Lily..."

Tears spilled from Lily's eyes as she rushed forward, embracing her long-lost sister. In that embrace, the world faded away, leaving only the sisters and their heart-wrenching reunion.

Meanwhile, Tomoki, still recovering from his brutal encounter with the wall, watched the scene unfold with a mix of anger and bewilderment.

The Church elders, who had just moments ago proclaimed their designs on half of the Gritonia Empire, now lay lifeless on the floor, reduced to mere stains.

"Damn it! Where the hell are these monsters even coming from?!" Tomoki's shout shattered the room's uneasy calm.

Emerging from the rubble, his silver armor gleaming menacingly in the dim light, Tomoki's eyes scanned the room, brimming with rage and desperation. "

Enough of this madness!" he thundered. "I don't care what demons or monsters you've unleashed. This is my empire, and I will-"

His words were abruptly cut short as a knee drove into his stomach, sending him crashing back into the rubble. Before anyone could react, the Valkyrie known as Isabella descended upon him.

Stomp...

Stomp...Stomp...

To the shock of all present, a harrowing spectacle unfolded. Isabella began stomping on Tomoki with relentless ferocity.

Stomp...Stomp...Stomp...

Clang...Clang...

With each stomp, the chains adorning her feet struck the unyielding rock, creating a morbid symphony of death. 

Five agonizing minutes later, the grim performance came to an end. 

Isabella, her feet stained with crimson, stepped back, leaving behind the headless body of the Former Hero... lying lifeless amidst the cold rocks.

'That's it?...is it over?' I was surprised by the fact that the Hero of this World Died this easily.

As Isabella began to return to Lily, I anxiously awaited any system messages signaling a change in the plot, but none came.

Lost in thought, I was jolted by a shuffling sound emanating from Tomoki's lifeless form.

Before our disbelieving eyes, Tomoki's corpse stirred, rising to its feet. Half of his face was raw flesh and bulging eye, but what was most alarming was the rapid regeneration unfolding before us.

Flesh began to reform, mending his disfigured face.

'Fuck!! It's his Blessing "Lunar Immortality" . . .'

Lunar Immortality is a Special Blessing gained from an unknown God(duh, It must be The Moon God Tsukuyomi). It allows him to regenerate during the night when the moon is out. It will be inactive when there is no moon.

The fatal flaw of this ability is that it only works at night. If a battle were to be drawn out until dawn and if he were to receive damage that could be fatal, his only chance for survival would be the healing abilities of his companions.

Isabella tensed, readying herself to strike, but Tomoki's broken voice halted her. "...Nuke..."

My heart plummeted. 'Nuke' was Tomoki's ultimate spell, capable of triggering a cataclysmic explosion by supercharging the mana within its range. 

All I knew was that this skill cannot be interrupted and has a 1.3 sec cast time...

[WARNING!!! HOST, SYSTEM HAS DETECTED THE ACTIVATION OF TIER 8 AOE SPELL]

The Mana around us became heavy, Isabella lunged towards Lily, attempting to shield her, but deep down, I knew it would be futile. Even my abilities couldn't protect us from this impending catastrophe.

Time started to move slowly as my thoughts accelerated trying to decide what to do...Should I abandon them and teleport away?.... 

After all, I could always find some other soldiers and raise an army again.....yeah, that's it. I should do thi-

!!!

- 

'Family means we look after and take care of each other. Nobody gets left behind or forgotten...always remember this son...always remember this..'

-

'Mom...?!'

Her words echoed in my mind, shattering my thoughts. 

no....NO!?!?....how could I forget this?? How can I forget what I promised to do....to be...

I can't let fear of death cloud my mind anymore...with that, I calmed my mind and rushed towards Tomoki.

I don't know if this works....I never tested this....But I have to try ....if this gamble fails, So be it.

I shall face death without any remorse....

[CONGRATULATIONS!! HOST FOR CONQUERING FEAR OF DEATH]

[SKILL OBTAINED: UNYIELDING WILL(PASSIVE)]

[SKILL OBTAINED: TOTAL CONCENTRATION(ACTIVE)]

My vision blurred, the world around me fading into a hazy backdrop. Tomoki completed his incantation, the air crackling with imminent destruction.

Just before the blinding light and deafening roar consumed us, I whispered, 

"Ryoiki Tenkai"

"First Circle: LIMBO"