Babylon Gate: Code of the Crimson Blossom
The rain over the Babylon Tower did not fall as water, but as a fine, soot-heavy ash that coated the ruined cobblestones of the castle courtyard.
In the center of the square, the massive stone golem stood like an ancient sentinel, its runic, neon-blue veins pulsing softly against the dark fantasy sky. The air smelled of burnt ozone and ozone-charred leather.
Kyogi Kagimi stood near the center, his silver hair catching the faint, eerie glow of the crescent moon. His expression was hollow, staring blankly at his own palms as if he could still see the strings of fate he had failed to pull.
"How foolish," Kyogi murmured, his voice cutting through the low rumble of the golem. "In the end, the creatures of this world are all like cherry blossoms. They bloom for a short time and then fall." He choked back a bitter breath, the weight of the Limitless Fortress pressing hard against his mind. "It's my fault. I failed Makubex when he needed me most. It's just... the sight of the gods of the Limitless Fortress so close made my heart stop and froze my veins."
Tatsuma Heyu stood a few paces away, his dark school uniform torn and smudged with soot. Faint wisps of dark, spiritual energy crackled around his fists. He didn't look back at Kyogi, keeping his eyes locked onto the massive shadow of the tower ahead.
The heavy thud of boots echoed against the stone walls. From the dark archway of the courtyard, Masaki Karsu and Akira from Behemoth entered, their expressions grim, their armor scraping against the cold air.
"All warriors feel fear at some time or another, Tatsuma Heyu," Masaki Karsu exclaimed, his voice ringing with a hard, seasoned edge as he adjusted the heavy plate over his shoulders. "There's no shame in that. But only the most valiant among us can face that fear and master it."
Spyro, crouched low near Tatsuma's feet, let out a low hiss, a small puff of purple flame singeing the cracked earth. The small dragon's eyes reflected the unnatural violet light of the sky.
Tatsuma closed his eyes for a fraction of a second, the image of the falling blossoms flashing behind his eyelids. When he opened them, the spiritual fire around his hands flared brighter, casting long, sharp shadows across the ancient stone.
"Then I'll be a cherry blossom that does not fall!" Tatsuma screamed, his voice echoing off the high walls of Babylon Tower as he charged forward into the dark.
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