The Extra's Rise

I looked down at Cecilia beneath me, feeling the strain radiating through my body where chunks of debris had struck. Thankfully, Mythic Body had absorbed most of the impact so I wasn't too hurt.

"Cecilia, I didn't betray you. Please, trust me," I said softly, meeting her crimson eyes with my azure ones.

Tears spilled from her eyes, carving clean tracks through the dust coating her face. But despite everything—the pain, the confusion, the devastation—she smiled.

"I'm glad," she whispered, her voice barely audible before her eyelids fluttered closed and consciousness left her.

'Did she force herself unconscious?' The thought flashed through my mind as I quickly pushed myself up from the debris. Cecilia's breathing was shallow but steady—she'd live, though she needed medical attention soon.

A thunderous crash from across the courtyard snapped my attention back to the immediate threat. Reika was being driven back by relentless strikes, her usually flawless defensive stance cracking under the pressure. Lucifer's blade sang through the air with lethal precision, each swing carrying enough force to shatter stone.

"Cecilia!" Lucifer's voice roared across the battlefield as his eyes found me standing over her still form.

I quickly activated the disguise artifact again, feeling the familiar tingle of mana reshaping my features just as Lucifer's gaze locked onto me.

'That was too close.' If he'd seen my true face, everything would have been ruined.

Lucifer launched himself at me with explosive speed, his form blurring with the enhancement of his Gift. I could see the full manifestation of Yin-Yang Body coursing through him—the way his muscles rippled with perfectly balanced opposing energies, how his movements contained both aggressive yang force and fluid yin grace. Reika had pushed him far harder than I'd anticipated.

'Time to end this charade.'

I deactivated Mythic Body and Soul Vision, feeling their protective layers peel away like shed skin. I activated Soul Resonance again, letting my consciousness expand beyond the confines of my physical form. The world around me became a tapestry of souls—threads of life force weaving through reality itself.

I reached out toward Lucifer's soul, past the barriers of flesh and bone, and grasped the essence of his Yin-Yang Body.

'Mine.'

The Gift flowed into me like liquid lightning, its dual nature immediately recognizable. Yang energy surged through my right side while yin power pooled in my left, the two forces seeking perfect equilibrium within my being. It was like holding a controlled explosion, requiring every ounce of my concentration to maintain balance.

Lucifer's blade descended toward my head—a sword of pure judgment, wreathed in white astral energy born from his unique supernatural mana. The attack carried the weight of absolute conviction, as if the universe itself had decreed my destruction.

But judgment met judgment.

My own sword rose to intercept, now coated in the same white astral energy. The clash sent shockwaves rippling outward, windows shattering in buildings blocks away. We stood locked blade to blade, two opposing forces of nature grinding against each other like colliding stars.

Of course, my copied version of Yin-Yang Body was weaker than his original—a pale imitation lacking years of cultivation and mastery. I only managed to hold my ground because of Valeria's influence flowing through our soul bond, and even then, I felt myself being pushed back step by step.

"What the... how?" Lucifer sputtered, shock cracking his usual composure as he stared at the familiar energies coursing through my weapon.

"You aren't the only one with this talent," I replied, letting mana warp my voice into something unrecognizable. The sound emerged distorted and hollow, like an echo from the depths of a cavern.

Lucifer's eyes darkened with understanding and fury. "Impossible. That Gift is—"

Reika struck at the perfect moment, appearing behind him like a shadow given form. Her blade whispered through the air toward his exposed back, forcing him to break our deadlock and spin to deflect her attack. The opening lasted only a heartbeat, but it was enough.

Third Movement: Stellar Cascade.

This time, I channeled black astral energy instead of white—the inverse of judgment, the power of absolute negation. My sword moved in a series of strikes that mimicked falling stars, each one building upon the momentum of the last. The technique carved through the air with devastating precision, reality itself seeming to bend around the blade's edge.

Lucifer barely managed to raise his sword in time. The impact sent him skidding backward across the courtyard, his boots carving furrows in the stone. But when the dust settled, he was still standing. Battered, bloodied, but very much alive.

I clicked my tongue in annoyance. Damn. I was hoping that would finish it.

Lucifer wiped blood from the corner of his mouth, his breathing labored but his grip on his weapon still firm. "You think copying my abilities makes you my equal? I've mastered this Gift for over a decade. You're just playing with forces you don't understand."

He was right, of course. But I didn't need to match him blow for blow—I just needed to end this confrontation on my terms.

"Look around you, Lucifer," I said, gesturing toward Cecilia's unconscious form. "Your precious friend is barely breathing. Internal bleeding, possible skull fracture, severe mana exhaustion. She has maybe ten minutes before those injuries become permanent."

Lucifer's eyes flicked to Cecilia, and I saw the exact moment his rage transformed into desperate concern. "What are you saying?"

"I'm saying you have a choice. Continue this fight and watch her die, or retreat and get her the medical attention she needs." I let the copied Yin-Yang Body energy dissipate, showing that I wasn't interested in continuing the battle. "What's more important to you—your pride or her life?"

The internal struggle played out across Lucifer's features. His knuckles went white around his sword hilt, every instinct screaming at him to press the attack. But his gaze kept drifting back to Cecilia's pale, still form.

"This isn't over," he growled finally, sheathing his blade. "Whoever you are, whatever you want—I'll find you. And when I do, there won't be any distractions to save you."

"I'm looking forward to it," I replied with mock sincerity.

Lucifer gathered Cecilia in his arms with surprising gentleness, cradling her against his chest. For a moment, the fierce warrior disappeared, replaced by someone genuinely terrified of losing someone precious. "Hold on, Cecilia. I've got you."

He vanished in a burst of speed, leaving only swirling dust and the lingering scent of ozone.

The courtyard fell silent except for the sound of settling debris and distant sirens. I let the disguise artifact deactivate, my true features emerging as the golden mask dissolved into motes of light.

"Master?"

I turned to find Reika staring at me with wide, confused eyes. Her usually composed demeanor had cracked, revealing the uncertainty beneath. "Why did you... what was all this for? You could have seriously hurt Cecilia. She trusted you."

Before she could voice any more questions or concerns, I stepped forward and cupped her face in my hands. Her words died as our lips met, the kiss gentle but firm enough to convey everything I couldn't say aloud. When we separated, her cheeks were flushed and her breathing had quickened.

"Shh," I whispered against her forehead. "Trust me a little longer. Everything will make sense soon."

The sound of approaching footsteps made us both turn. A figure in ornate crimson robes emerged from the shadows at the courtyard's edge—tall, gaunt, with symbols of a chalice embroidered in gold thread across his chest. Magistrate Corwin of the Red Chalice Cult, exactly as I'd expected.

"My, my," Corwin said, his voice carrying the oily smoothness of a career politician. "What fascinating events we have here. A mysterious masked figure, a battle between Gifts, and such... interesting participants."

I smiled, making sure he could see the expression clearly. 'Perfect. The fish took the bait.'

"Magistrate Corwin," I said with a respectful nod. "How convenient that you happened to be in the area during such unusual circumstances."

His pale eyes glittered with calculation. "Indeed. Perhaps we should discuss these circumstances in more detail. I find myself very curious about your... unique abilities."

"I'd be delighted to chat," I replied, slipping my hand into Reika's. "After all, I have so much to learn about your organization's... interests."

Corwin's smile widened, revealing teeth like yellowed ivory. He thought he was the predator who had stumbled upon perfect prey.

If only he knew how wrong he was.