Chapter 65: The Reunion of Brothers
The dark skies above the battlefield crackle with energy as Izana charges toward a group of demons that are viciously attacking their own kind. He grits his teeth, his sword flashing through the air as he slices through the horde.
But the demons seem endless, their numbers growing by the second, surrounding him from all sides.
Izana: grunting as he fights "Damn it, there's too many of them…!"
As the demons close in, a sudden, blinding light cuts through the darkness. A massive beam of energy—an atomic breath—erupts from the side, obliterating the demons in a flash.
The sheer power of the attack makes Izana's heart skip a beat. His eyes widen as he recognizes the technique.
Izana: stunned "That attack… It can't be…"
He turns, his heart pounding, and suddenly hears a voice behind him. A voice he thought he'd never hear again.
Toshinori: with a calm but familiar tone "Didn't expect to see you here, big brother."
Izana whirls around, his eyes widening even more as he comes face to face with the figure standing in the shadows. T
he tall, imposing figure steps into the light, revealing none other than his younger brother—Toshinori, alive and standing before him.
Izana: shocked, breathless "Toshinori… It's you… You're alive?"
Toshinori nods, a small smirk on his face.
Toshinori: with a chuckle "I knew you'd find me eventually. But I didn't expect it to be this soon."
For a moment, the world seems to freeze around them. Izana's emotions surge, a mix of disbelief, relief, and anger at the sight of his brother.
He had spent so long believing that Toshinori was dead, killed in battle, only to find him here, alive and fighting.
Izana: gritting his teeth "All this time… You were alive, and you didn't say anything?! Do you know what your death did to us? What it did to Ellen?"
Toshinori's smirk fades slightly, confusion flickering across his face.
Toshinori: seriously "Ellen? What are you talking about? What happened to her?"
Izana realizes then—Toshinori doesn't know. He doesn't know about Ellen's sacrifices, or the fact that she had been carrying his child.
There's no time to explain everything now, not while they're still surrounded by demons. But the truth would have to come out soon.
Izana: quickly "I'll explain everything later. But right now, we have to deal with these demons. We'll talk once this is over."
Toshinori, sensing the urgency in his brother's voice, nods and steps forward, his Devil powers surging around him.
His eyes blaze with determination as he readies himself to fight.
Toshinori: firmly "Fine. Let's clear this up first. Then you can tell me what I've missed."
The brothers, united once more, charge into battle side by side, cutting through the remaining demons with relentless force.
Toshinori's powers are as formidable as ever, his atomic breath and devil abilities tearing through the enemy with ease, while Izana fights with the precision and skill of a warrior who has never given up hope.
As the last of the demons fall, the battlefield falls silent, the echoes of their battle fading into the distance.
Both brothers stand, their breaths heavy, but their spirits lifted. They had won this fight, but the real conversation was yet to come.
Izana: turning to Toshinori, serious "Now, we talk. There's a lot you need to know, Toshinori. About Ellen… and your son."
Toshinori's eyes widen at the mention of a son. He stares at Izana, his mind racing.
Toshinori: confused, shocked "My… son? What are you talking about?"
Izana walks toward him, placing a hand on his brother's shoulder.
Izana: softly "There's so much you don't know, Toshinori. Ellen… she's been hiding, protecting your child, your son—Hawk. She's been raising him alone, keeping him safe from your enemies. You've been gone so long… she thought you were dead."
Toshinori stares at Izana, his heart pounding. The weight of what he's hearing is almost too much to bear.
Toshinori: whispering, stunned "Ellen… my son… I have a son?"
Izana nods, his expression serious but full of empathy.
Izana: gently "Yes, Toshinori. Ellen sacrificed everything to protect him. You've been gone for years, but now that you're back, you need to know the truth."
Toshinori's mind swirls with emotions—shock, guilt, and a fierce desire to see Ellen and his child, to understand everything he's missed.
Toshinori: clenching his fists "I have to see them. I have to see Ellen… and my son."
Izana nods firmly, ready to take Toshinori to the family he thought he had lost.
Toshinori: quietly "There's something you need to know. All For One... he's hiding in this world."
Izana's eyes widen in shock.
Izana: stunned "All For One? Here? That's impossible..."
Toshinori nods grimly.
Toshinori: "I've been hunting him. He's the reason I've stayed hidden for so long."
Izana clenches his fists, realization hitting him.
Izana: "That explains everything... we need to finish him for good."
Toshinori, after a brief pause, looks at Izana with curiosity.
Toshinori: calmly "How did you get here, Izana? This world isn't easy to find."
Izana exhales, still processing the shock about All For One.
Izana: explaining "I was following a lead… trying to figure out what really happened to you. It led me to a portal between the worlds. That's how I ended up here."
Toshinori's eyes narrow slightly, nodding.
Toshinori: thoughtfully "So you followed me... It all makes sense now."
Both brothers stand in silence, realizing that fate has brought them together again.