The gloom of the tunnel was a living abyss, and Falco, his gaze locked on Rasen, felt a visceral mix of disdain and resolve. The damp air clung to every breath, and the stench of corruption hovered as a tangible reminder that the creature before him was no longer human.
"Who had the arrogance to bring such an abomination into the world?" Falco spat coldly, unsheathing his sword with a silver flash.
Steven, unmoving by his side, frowned at Rasen, who lay slumped against the wall, his dark eyes glowing with a sinister light. As he stirred, the blood-stained bottle in his hand slipped to the ground, empty and meaningless.
"My master would never harm someone who cannot defend themselves," Steven murmured, casting a warning glance at Falco. "Rasen is not cruel by choice."
"Falco…" Rasen's voice emerged soft as venom, laced with contempt. "Your stench is no different from mine. Just like the servant of the White Wolf, Noah."
The warrior hardened his gaze."There is no redemption for one who has lost their humanity. You will not leave this place."
Unable to restrain himself, Steven stepped between them."Rasen, we've walked the same path. I know you can fight it. You are no monster, though you may act like one."
Rasen let out a bitter laugh, its echo slicing through the air."Brother?" he mocked. "You abandoned me in the desert to my fate. It was Lionel who brought me back. What are you if not another hunter with a list of trophies?"
Steven swallowed hard, his eyes clouded with emotion."You were always more than a warrior to me. And now, if you stand on the brink of damnation, I will not let you fall alone."
"Brother?" Rasen tilted his head, his pupils now dark and razor-sharp. "Steven, I no longer exist."
Steven turned to Falco, desperation etched in every gesture."Master, let me speak to him. If there is anything of him left, I must try."
Falco scoffed, unconvinced."Just because you believe he is family does not mean he cannot harm you. But if this is your choice, I will respect it, though I do not share it."
Steven stood firm. "This is my decision."
The warrior stepped aside, melting into the shadows of the tunnel. Steven advanced toward Rasen, whose trembling hands hovered on the verge of collapse.
"Do you remember the place where we first met?"
Rasen bit his lip."Why bring that up now, Steven? You used me for your own ends, then discarded me in the desert."
"I didn't do it on purpose. You are family to me, Rasen. I will not lose you." Steven narrowed his eyes. "I know it was wrong, but you taught me it is never too late."
The shadow of Sariel seeped into every word like poison."Stay away, Steven!"
"Listen to yourself… This is not you. You taught me to trust, to believe — you are the family I refuse to lose." Steven tried to reason.
"The Steven I knew would never lower himself to flattery. It is too late," Sariel's voice thundered. "Rasen is no more than a shell. I am the truth you always feared."
"No! The Rasen I know…" Steven cried, tears streaming down his face. "I've broken my own laws, but you are different."
At that moment, Falco returned like a whirlwind, his sword slicing through the darkness."I will not allow this to continue!"
"Wow…" Rasen curled his lips into an ironic smile, letting himself be carried by Sariel.
"Listen to me, Rasen. I have been patient — can't you see how tormented I am for you? I never watched over your steps… I wanted to be your sword."
"I can take care of your human too, Rasen," Sariel murmured.
A furious clash erupted. Rasen's body dodged each strike as best it could. Steven fired his silver pistol, but Sariel only smiled, an unnatural grin twisting his face as the metal bit into his flesh without causing real harm.
"Aisha…" Rasen whispered through clenched teeth, a solitary tear tracing down his cheek. "Even her…"
The word pierced Steven's heart like an arrow. He pulled the trigger once more, but Sariel only laughed."Goodbye, my friend Steven. Perhaps one day you'll understand."
Falco sensed Rasen's lingering thoughts, watching his student as Rasen's figure began to fade.
"This process… the host will merge with me… and I will slowly disappear…"
That voice, barely clear, reached Steven, but Falco stepped in, witnessing the last spark of humanity being carried away. Sariel's voice was the final echo:"Lionel is the true choice…"
"I cannot let you go like this…"
Falco reacted instantly. Without hesitation, he delivered a precise strike with his sword. The blade flashed as it cut through the gloom, drawing a lethal arc. Upon impact, dark arcane symbols flared across Sariel's skin, runes of condemnation etched into living flesh.
"You are not human," Falco growled, driving the blade deeper. "Your existence is a blasphemy."
Steven, with a roar of rage and sorrow, shoved Falco aside, grasping the blood-stained hilt with trembling hands."If you intend to take Lionel with you," his eyes blazed with fury and plea, "then I will be the one to destroy you, Sariel."
Falco let the sword fall with a dry, echoing clang.With disdain, he cast one final glance at Steven."If you lack the strength to do what is necessary, you are no longer worthy to be my disciple."
He paused, his voice laden with venom though it remained low."And if you cannot destroy what you love… then you have no right to call yourself a hunter."
Steven felt the weight of those words sinking into his soul as Falco walked away in silence, leaving only the echo of his relentless judgment.
Sariel, still holding Lionel's barely conscious body, watched the scene with cold detachment."You are weaker than I imagined, Steven," he whispered with a twisted smile. "But the weak serve well when properly handled."
Lionel, in a faint voice, moaned:"My lord… let us continue… the wolf must fall…"
Sariel inclined his head, a shadow of satisfaction crossing his lifeless eyes."Yes… the wolf awaits."
With one last flash of contempt, Sariel and Lionel vanished into the mist.
But before disappearing, a word slipped from the lips of the body that had once been Rasen:"Aisha…"
A whisper, barely audible,suspended in the fog.Without strength…but carrying all the love that still remained.
And with that word, he carried away the last spark of humanity that had once dwelled within him.Only the shadow remained.