Tengoku e no Hangyaku - Rebellion against Heaven (english version)

Chapter 9: The Promise of the Storm

The air was still heavy with tension. Haru, Kenta, and Daichi could barely move under Ryuusei's overwhelming presence. Aiko, unconscious in his arms, looked tiny compared to him. His wounds were still bleeding, but the warrior showed no sign of haste or concern. Its mere existence was enough to silence any hostile intentions.

Kenta gritted his teeth, his pride hurt and fury clouding his judgment. He clenched the scythes tighter, but when he tried to step forward, his body refused to obey. A cold sweat ran down his back. Haru and Daichi were no better; their bodies trembled, not from the cold, but from a primal fear that had taken root in their guts.

Ryuusei looked up, his eyes sharp as blades. He took a step forward, and it was enough for the three of them to feel the ground beneath them shake.

"Enough.

His voice wasn't a scream, but it echoed like thunder in their heads. It was an order, a sentence. There was no room for discussion.

Haru tried to swallow hard, but his mouth was dry. His trembling hand was still holding an arrow in the bow, but he knew there was no point in shooting. Kenta looked down, cursing under his breath, and Daichi simply fell silent, his broken spear still in his hand.

Ryuusei looked at them coldly before turning, turning his back to them as he carried Aiko.

But before leaving, he spoke once more.

"Enjoy your respite today. Night will fall for you when you least expect it. In the storm, they will hear my step. And in the rain, its end will come.

There were no more words. They were not necessary. With one last glance at the three warriors, Ryuusei walked away with Aiko in his arms, leaving behind the echo of a threat none of them could forget.

When Aiko woke up, her body screamed in pain. His wounds were bandaged, and a light cold breeze caressed his skin. He was inside a shelter, lit only by the dim light of a torch on the wall. He tried to move, but his body didn't respond.

"Don't make an effort.

Ryususei's voice startled her. She turned her head with difficulty and saw him, sitting next to her, watching her with a neutral expression.

"You brought me here," Aiko murmured, her throat parched.

Ryuusei nodded.

"You fought well. But you still can't control that force.

Aiko frowned. I knew what he meant. That wild energy, that frenzy that had consumed her in battle. It wasn't normal. It wasn't something I could handle without consequences.

"If you don't learn to master it, it will destroy you. Ryuusei's words were cold, but not cruel. It was a fact.

Aiko lowered her gaze, feeling her heart pound furiously in her chest. She didn't want to accept that she had been saved. He didn't want to accept that, despite his power, he was still weak.

"Then teach me," he whispered determinedly.

Ryuusei stared at her for a moment, before smiling.

"I will. But first, I have a matter to attend to.

Aiko looked up, with a bad feeling in her chest.

"I'm going to kill them.

Ryuusei's tone had no anger or hatred. Only certainty. It was a sentence already handed down.

"Haru, Kenta, and Daichi..." They will not live to see another full moon.

Aiko felt a chill run down her spine. It wasn't just an empty threat. Ryuuusei was going to do it. He was going to hunt them down, one by one, and nothing in this world could stop him.