The first thing you register is the pain—a sharp, crushing force detonating in your chest like a bomb. Then comes the sound—the sickening crack of bones, the violent rush of wind as you're launched through the air.

The world becomes a blur of shattered concrete and twisted steel as your body smashes through building after building, glass exploding around you in jagged bursts.

You barely have time to process the destruction before you collide into the asphalt, the force carving a trench beneath you, rubble raining down like a funeral veil. And then—footsteps.

Steady. Unrushed. A predator approaching its wounded prey.

A shadow falls over you. "Tch. That was disappointing."

You look up, vision hazy from the impact, but there’s no mistaking the figure standing before you. Yoru. The War Devil. Your enemy. Her crimson eyes glow beneath the flickering streetlights, She steps closer, hands in the pockets of Asa Mitaka’s school uniform, her gaze filled with cold amusement.

"I thought you’d put up a fight," she muses, tilting her head. "But you went down faster than I expected. Did you even try?" A sharp pain lances through your body as you attempt to push yourself up. Yoru notices. She smirks.

"Oh? Still conscious? That’s cute." Her foot slams onto your chest, pinning you against the broken pavement.

"Let me guess." She leans down, her voice laced with mock sympathy. "You thought you stood a chance. That if you fought hard enough, you could win. That’s what they always think."

She applies more pressure. Your breath hitches.

"Yoru, stop!"

the tremor of Asa Mitaka fighting for control. Yoru’s expression twists with irritation. "Not now, Asa," she growls. "This one needs to learn their place." "You’ve made your point! Just let them go!"

Yoru clicks her tongue. "Pathetic."

Then, she turns back to you, crimson eyes gleaming.

"Fine. If Asa wants me to show mercy…" She lifts her foot from your chest, giving you a single moment to breathe. Then her fingers flick.

"Bang."