The demons aura had definitely grown in potency, most probably from what it had taken from Kiramaru.

It was enraged, hastily looking around for other sources of mana to consume.

It put its attention on Date and began creeping up to him, limping on the burnt leg that had been crisped up.

“Where do you think you’re going-” Kiramaru said while falling over to the ground.

He caught himself by planting his palm over his knee, barely remaining up.

‘I can barely feel my legs at all, shit! I need to move… just move you, damn legs!’

The demon towered over Date’s collapsed body and was about to ravish into him, when an object came flying in to view.

A massive silver sword with a thorn pattern wrapped around the hilt flew from the distance and penetrated the demon; then burst out from its chest, escaping out of its body.

The swords attack left a whole through the body that was accomplished in one blow.

Green and dark brown liquids squirted out, dripping down from the large wound through its body.

‘A sword?’ Kiramaru pondered.

The sword remained floating in the air close to the demon, resting upright.

“Do you plan on killing it, or were you letting it kill that man?” A man said.

Standing on the head of the damaged house was a man dressed in baggy white pants that were tied up by a kimono around his waist. His hair was a solid gold colour but the main focus went to his eyes, that seemed to somewhat glow.

They resembled emeralds that pierced into his eyes when Kiramaru saw him, without talking to him he was able to realise just how powerful a man like this could be.

He jumped from the roof onto the ground without making so much as a thud, only the sound of his wooden geta clacking onto the earth.

When standing up close his physique became apparent to Kiramaru, this man was rather lean but still had an incredible amount of muscle definition.

“Don’t worry; I don’t plan on taking your kill.” The man laughed.

His entire demeanour was childish and relaxed, which completely contrasted the situation around them. His mood brought a sense of light to the darkness of the demon.

“Who are you?” Kiramaru asked cautiously.

‘He’s in good condition, not to mention that sword of his. If a guy like this also wants to attack me then I’ll be screwed. My best chance is to see if he wants my head or not.’

“My name is Moto.” He said while curling his gold hair between his fingers.

“Well Moto you’re right, I plan on killing it. Are you planning to stop me?”

Moto dropped down to the ground with his legs crossed and rested his chin on to his fist. He displayed an interested expression and simply observed Kiramaru's actions.

“Well go on then, I won’t keep you.” Moto said casually.

The sword blocking the demon from Date lifted into the air and out of sight.

The demon frantically swung its head around and noticed Moto but instead of running to him like it had with Kiramaru, it turned back to Date and attempted to bite him again.

“No don’t!”

Kiramaru flared his fire but wasn’t able to keep it lit, causing him to fall over completely.

The sword that had disappeared into the sky dropped down again, decapitating the demons head off and killing it.

The demonic aura that it emitted vanished along with its life, causing the body to slowly crumble away into a purple husk before completely vanishing.

“…why did…damn it!” Kiramaru stuttered.

He buried his tears into his fists and wasn’t able to stand.

“I gave you the chance to kill it yourself; it meant something to you didn’t it? Even though you had the advantage, you weren’t able to move onward.” Moto stated.

His boyish nature had shifted and been replaced by a stern and brutal tone. It was as if he had become a new colder person.

“I needed to make it pay, for the hell it put us through!”

“Then why didn’t you?” Moto asked.

Kiramaru struggled to realise a single word and simply sat there with his mouth open in awe.

‘He’s right, I am weak.’ Kiramaru thought.

“You’re not like the demon, you’re still in control right? Does that make you a demon?”

“I am me; to you I am nothing more. See-ya!” Moto greeted.

He walked away casually and paid no more attention to Kiramaru or Date.

Kiramaru swallowed deeply and raised his head.

“You’re strong, stronger than what I thought was possible…could you make me stronger?”

“Oh-ho! Why would I do something like that, I’m only a stranger and you have nothing?” Moto asked.

“You’re right, but I don’t care. I don’t care how I have to do it but I will get my sister back, and kill that fucking bastard.”

Kiramaru's eyes had no trace of fear but actually managed to impress Moto, as the flame and emerald made bounced off each-other.

Moto smiled,

“Fine I’ll give you a chance. Say bye to your friend first and we can be on our way. If you really want to beat Ko then you won’t be coming back here anytime soon.” Moto said eagerly.

‘My friend? Oh he means that guy… He did try and protect me, when he should have stayed out the way. Is he stupid?’

Kiramaru took date back into his house and rested him on the floor.

“Thank you…Kiramaru.” Date whispered.

His eyes flickered open.

“You’ll be fine; just don’t jump in front of demon again if you want to live.”

“I take it that you can trust me then?”

Date smiled with a coy expression as he awaited Kiramaru's next words.

“You’re annoying…I guess if I don’t say I trust you, you’d decide to go with me.” He said as he walked out the house.

“So you are leaving, I guess it would be foolish to think you would want to stay. You’re strong enough so I know you’ll be able to stop that monster eventually.”

“I don’t plan on stopping him.” Kiramaru muttered.

Date looked up at the terrifying expression displayed.

“I’ll kill that thing with my own hands.”

Kiramaru summoned the strength to stand up and walk out of the house towards Moto.

He had just barely enough strength to walk up to Moto before his vision began to fade,

“Alright then, where to-” He said as he collapsed.

Moto caught him with his one arm and pulled him closer. A large sword, twice the size of a regular human appeared out of thin air, comprised out sparkling gold substance that resembled aura.

He stepped onto the sword and flew off into the air, riding it through the sky like a board.

-

Kiramaru opened his eyes and noticed a large amount of trees towering above him from every direction, clearly in a forest.

‘There isn’t even a glimmer of sun from above, how old is this place? Wait a minute, for the trees to have grown this large they would need to be flourishing!’

He got up off the large log he rested on and rubbed his hand over the dirt he stood on, picking up a handful of dark soil.

‘This area is thriving in nutrients; this can’t be anywhere close to Sator then.’

“You seem to be rested, great! That means we can start right away~” Moto greeted.

Hovering in the air above Kiramaru was Moto, resting on a large white sword, decorated in beads and material. It resembled the same style of a Geisha girl but over the large sharp sword able to float in the air.

“Those swords, you have the power to make them float?” Kiramaru asked out.

“Tisk; Tisk! So you don’t even know this much?” Moto remarked.

Five small swords formed from a flash light that appeared around Moto, each one pointing towards Kiramaru.

They flew through the air, raining down on him without hesitation. He managed to dodge most of them but two cut his arm and shoulder, releasing a trail of blood.

“Let’s begin”