Cross Dragon x Devils

The academy was quiet, the only sounds the distant rustling of leaves and the occasional chirp of nocturnal birds. Beneath the serene facade, however, danger lurked. Zephyr Shadowblade moved like a phantom through the academy's grounds, his presence undetected by the protective wards thanks to his shadow magic. His mission was clear: sever Kazuki's bond with Rito and destroy his resolve.

---

An Uneasy Night

Kazuki sat in his dorm room, restless. The sparring match with Rito had awakened something in him—not just his Void Dragon power, but an unshakable determination to protect the people he cared about. Yet, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was off tonight.

Rito had noticed it too. She had spent the evening near Kazuki, her usual teasing tone tempered by an undercurrent of unease.

"You're staring into space again," she said, tossing a pillow at him. "What's on your mind?"

Kazuki caught the pillow and sighed. "I don't know. Something feels… wrong."

Rito frowned, her playful demeanor vanishing. "You think it's Zephyr?"

"Maybe," Kazuki replied. "But it's not just him. I can't explain it."

Rito stood, placing her hands on her hips. "Then we'll keep watch. I'm not letting anything happen to you—or anyone else."

Kazuki gave her a small smile. "You always act like the older sibling, you know that?"

"Someone has to," she said with a wink.

---

The First Attack

Zephyr struck without warning. Shadows coiled around the dormitory, plunging the building into darkness. The alarms meant to alert the staff never went off—silenced by Zephyr's magic.

Rito was the first to sense it. Her eyes narrowed as she summoned a glowing orb of light magic to her hand. "Stay close, Kazuki," she warned.

The shadows in the room twisted unnaturally, forming jagged shapes. A dozen shadowy figures emerged, their red eyes glowing malevolently.

"Looks like Zephyr sent us a welcoming party," Rito muttered, her voice steady despite the danger.

Kazuki activated his Void Dragon gauntlet, the familiar hum of its power filling the room. "Then let's show them they're not welcome."

The battle was fast and chaotic. Rito's mastery of elemental magic turned the room into a battlefield of fire, ice, and light. Kazuki, though still grappling with his incomplete transformation, moved with precision thanks to his combat suit enhancements.

As the last shadow creature dissolved, the room fell silent again.

"Is that all he's got?" Kazuki asked, catching his breath.

Rito shook her head. "No. That was just the opening act."

---

Zephyr's True Target

From his vantage point in the shadows, Zephyr observed their battle with interest. While Kazuki's combat prowess had improved, his emotions were still his greatest weakness. And Rito—her bond with her brother was both her strength and her Achilles' heel.

"It's time," Zephyr whispered to himself, stepping into the light.

The temperature in the room dropped instantly, and a palpable sense of dread filled the air. Kazuki and Rito turned to face him, their expressions hardening.

"Zephyr," Rito said coldly.

"You've been a thorn in my side for too long," Zephyr replied, his voice calm but menacing. "Tonight, that ends."

Kazuki stepped forward, his gauntlet sparking with energy. "You'll have to go through me first."

Zephyr smirked. "Gladly."

---

The Duel

The clash was immediate and explosive. Kazuki's enhanced combat suit allowed him to keep pace with Zephyr's lightning-fast strikes, while Rito's magic provided support.

But Zephyr wasn't fighting to win—he was biding his time. With a flick of his wrist, he summoned shadows that ensnared Rito, immobilizing her.

"Rito!" Kazuki shouted, his anger flaring.

Zephyr's laughter echoed through the room. "You've always been predictable, Kazuki. So focused on protecting others that you leave yourself vulnerable."

Kazuki charged at Zephyr, his movements fueled by rage. But Zephyr anticipated the attack, sidestepping effortlessly and driving a blade-like shadow into Rito's side.

Her gasp of pain echoed in Kazuki's ears, freezing him in place.

---

The Void Awakens

Something inside Kazuki snapped. The sight of Rito crumpling to the ground, blood staining her clothes, was more than he could bear.

The Void Dragon's power surged within him, breaking free of its restraints. His body glowed with a dark, otherworldly light as his transformation began.

His hair turned silver, and his eyes became a blazing violet. Shadowy energy swirled around him like a storm, and his voice took on a deeper, more primal tone.

"You shouldn't have done that," he growled.

Zephyr took a step back, surprised by the intensity of Kazuki's transformation. "So, you've finally awakened. Good. Let's see what you're really capable of."

Kazuki's movements were almost too fast to follow as he attacked Zephyr with unrelenting fury. Each strike carried the weight of his anger and sorrow, forcing Zephyr onto the defensive.

But the Void Dragon's power was unstable. Kazuki's combat suit struggled to contain it, sparks flying as the circuits began to overload.

---

A Desperate Struggle

Rito, clutching her wound, managed to summon a small burst of light magic. "Kazuki… you have to stop… you're losing control…"

Her voice cut through the haze of rage in Kazuki's mind. He hesitated, his attacks faltering.

Zephyr took advantage of the moment, summoning a wave of shadows that slammed Kazuki into the wall.

"You're strong, but you're not invincible," Zephyr taunted, preparing for a final strike.

Kazuki struggled to stand, his body trembling from the strain of the Void Dragon's power. But as he looked at Rito, her pale face etched with pain, he found the strength to rise.

"I won't let you win," he said, his voice steady despite the chaos within him.

Summoning the last of his energy, Kazuki unleashed a devastating attack that forced Zephyr to retreat. The shadows dissipated, and the room fell silent once more.

---

Aftermath

Kazuki collapsed beside Rito, his transformation fading. "Rito… are you okay?"

She managed a weak smile. "I've been better. But I'll live."

Sutea and Ayumi burst into the room moments later, their faces filled with worry.

"What happened?" Ayumi demanded, rushing to Kazuki's side.

"Zephyr," Kazuki said simply. "But he's gone. For now."

As they tended to Rito's wound, Kazuki's mind raced. The battle had revealed the extent of his power—and its dangers.

"I'll get stronger," he vowed silently. "For her. For all of them."

---

**End of Chapter 19**