TAKUMI TSURUGI
The nightmare struck me with an intensity that felt almost real. I was being pulled towards the Demon's Blade, its call overpowering every ounce of my will. I woke with a start, gasping for air, only to find my hand gripping Shinji's tightly. My heart raced, and I quickly released his hand, feeling a wave of embarrassment.
"I'm sorry," I mumbled, my voice barely above a whisper.
Shinji stirred, his brow furrowed. "What did you dream about?"
I hesitated, not wanting to burden them with my fears. "It's nothing."
Ayumi, who had been sitting nearby, stood up and faced me with concern. "Don't hide things from us, Takumi. We know the Demon's Blade is calling to you, and we'll make sure you don't succumb to it."
"You do?" I asked looking at each of them, and they all nodded.
"The Demon's Blade isn't something anyone can just wield, I think it choose you," Yumi added.
Before I could respond, a slimy hand emerged from the shadows, reaching out and grabbing Ayumi. She barely had time to scream before she was swallowed whole by the creature.
All four of us stood in shock at how fast the event happened.
"Listen everyone," Shinji started, being the first to snap out of the daze. "We're going to..."
I couldn't comprehend Shinji's words as panic surged through me, and I grabbed my sword, the crimson energy within me flaring up again.
"No, Takumi wait!" Shinji shouted for me to stop, but the rage and fear overwhelmed me. My eyes blazed red as I charged at the demon, slicing through its body with a single, fluid motion. The demon was caught off guard, and I swiftly reached inside its stomach, pulling out a coughing and disoriented Ayumi. With one final, decisive strike, I decapitated the demon, the head falling to the ground with a sickening thud.
I turned to my friends, their faces a mix of awe and fear. My eyes slowly returned to their normal color, and I fell to one knee, blood dripping from my nose.
"Takumi!" Kiyomasa shouted approaching with caution.
"Stop!" I raised a hand, shaking my head. "You need to stay back," I said.
I turned and tried moving away from them, but Yumi's voice stopped me. "This is no joke, the Demon's Blade is really calling to you, we need to do something."
I nodded, feeling a wave of frustration. "I'd rather die than embrace its desires."
Yumi stepped closer, her expression softening. "You don't have to embrace it. You need to learn how to control it. Shinji will help you with that."
I looked at Shinji who nodded in agreement. "Training starts tomorrow. We'll get through this together."
I smiled. "Thanks."
"I should be the one thanking you," Ayumi, now recovered said, and I could see the gratitude in her eyes.
"You've saved my life Takumi, I owe you one," she added, winking at me.
I chuckled softly. Despite the turmoil inside me, I felt a surge of relief knowing that my team had my back. I walked over to them, my voice steady.
"Thank you, all of you. I'll do my best to control it."
"You better," Kiyomasa said and others laughed.
"Let's pack, it's almost dawn and we need a better space for Shinji to train Takumi," Yumi said.
"I agree," Ayumi said. "I don't want to end up in another potbelly," she joked and we laughed.
We gathered our stuffs and set off. We eventually arrived at an open stay and stopped to rest. However, Shinji took me so we could start out training.