• Deep within the mountains of Loki resides a secluded village, hidden from the gaze of men, never to be discovered. It is here, where the grass flows freely, and the sky is clear and endless, that warriors train daily. The training is rigorous, ranging from sparring with one another, to training both mind and body underneath the endlessly crashing waterfalls. But amidst these trials, the fighters are all dedicated, taking on each new challenge with eagerness. Even now, if one were to close his or her eyes and listen to the wind, they would be able to hear the cries of battle…
    
    A girl stood in the center of a grassy plain, calm, yet attentive. The scenery around her was a façade of peace and harmony. However, she is not so easily deceived. She scanned her surroundings, seeking out the unseen enemy.

    Slowly, she closed her eyes, calming her mind and raising her awareness.

    Whoosh…

    The girl opened her eyes. “There!” she cried out.

    She turned around, the motion giving her fist additional force.

    In a matter of moments, her strike was stopped in mid-air, blocked by a young man’s guard, Len.

    If anyone were to look at this determined fighter in a normal situation, they would think he were some pretty-boy, as his body is always covered by his cloak. However, seeing him in full view is a sight to behold: A slender, yet well-toned body, as if it were carved from stone. But underneath the saint-like figure lies the terror of a demon.

    “That was pretty close, Kagura,” Len grinned, a bead of sweat rolling down his face.

    Kagura retorted. “You’d best get ready!”

    “I’m not holdin’ back!”

    With the exchange of words, Len brushes off Kagura’s attack, both fighters backing away from each other. However, the two rush in once more, coming at each other with all of their might.

    Punch after punch, kick after kick, each attack was thrown with no fault, no pause, and no delay. On one hand, Len strikes at his rival with immense speed and precise accuracy. While Kagura does not possess the same grace as her counterpart, every attack that she dealt was considerably stronger, able to cut through and silence the air around it. As both continued to exchange blows, combined with almost effortless dodging, the battle became an awe-inspiring dance, beautiful, yet at the same time deadly.

    But like all dances, this one drew near its end.

    “It’s been a good fight, Kagura!” Len shouted out as he parried a punch, “But this will end with me as the victor!”

    “Oh?” Kagura replied, “Why are you so sure?”

    “Because…”

    In that instant, Kagura landed her fist on Len’s chest, only to realize that she hit nothing but air.

    “… I’m better than you.”

    Len smirked, reappearing in front of her eyes.

    “Oh, crap…” she muttered.

    “This is the end!”

    In one fluid motion, Len thrust his hand into Kagura’s abdomen, the strength of the blow like a spear impaling the heavens.

    “Ugah-!” she cried out.

    Upon retracting his arm, Kagura fell to her knees, as if she were in slow-motion, until her body made contact with the ground.

    Slowly, she rose, refusing to lose. However, upon inspecting the situation, shock and fear filled her face.

    “B-blood?” she stuttered, “I’m… bleeding? But…” Kagura’s blood was spewing out of her abdomen, and onto the Earth, staining the fields a canvas of red.

    “Why?” She questioned, mouthing the words, “Why…?”

    But there was no answer, only the sound of laughter engrossed with hysteria. Len’s body started to radiate a demonic aura, as if he had become possessed. “Hmhmhmm… I’ve won… now die!”

    As the world around her started to fade into darkness, Kagura uttered her final word.

    Len…