Red and the ApocalypseChapter 24: Limits and Sacrifice
Water blades descended.
Fast.
Lethal.
Natsuki couldn't move.
His body was still recovering—
Muscles twitching—
Vision blurred—
"Die."
Hoshina's voice was calm.
Cold.
The attack fell—
CLANG!!!
A blade intercepted it.
Aoi.
She stood in front of Natsuki.
Katana raised.
Breathing heavy—but steady.
"…You're not touching him."
Hoshina tilted his head slightly.
"…Still standing?"
Aoi didn't answer.
She moved.
Fast.
Her blade sliced through incoming water—
Redirecting—
Deflecting—
She closed the distance—
SLASH!!
Hoshina leaned back—
But the blade grazed his face.
A thin line of blood appeared.
Silence.
Hoshina touched it.
Looked at the blood.
Then—
He smiled.
"…Now you've done it."
The ground trembled.
Water surged violently.
A massive wave rose behind him—
Bigger than before—
Denser—
Heavier—
Aoi froze.
"…Crap…"
Then—
Lightning struck beside her.
Natsuki.
Back on his feet.
Barely.
"…Move."
Aoi didn't hesitate.
She jumped back instantly.
Natsuki stepped forward.
Electricity surged across his body—
Wild—
Unstable—
Stronger than before—
"…Let's finish this."
Hoshina's smile widened.
"Try."
They clashed.
BOOOOOOOOM!!!
Lightning tore through water—
Water crushed against lightning—
Steam exploded into the air—
Natsuki pushed forward—
Punching through the current—
Hoshina countered—
Water wrapped around Natsuki's arm—
CRUSH!!
Pressure tightened.
"…Not… again…"
Hoshina stepped closer.
"You've reached your limit."
Then—
Suddenly—
The water sparked.
Electricity surged through it.
Hoshina's eyes widened.
"…What?"
Natsuki smirked.
"…You forgot something."
KRAAAAAAAAAACK!!!
Electricity exploded through the water—
Both of them were hit—
Violently.
They were blown apart.
BOOM!!!
Both crashed to the ground.
Silence.
Both… down.
From a distance—
Nezuko gripped a gun tightly.
Her hands trembling.
"I'm going."
She stepped forward—
But—
A hand stopped her.
Tokita.
"…Don't."
Nezuko turned to him.
"…That's my brother!"
Tokita's voice remained calm.
"…Watch."
"…What?"
"…If they survive this…"
His eyes stayed on the battlefield.
"…then it means something."
Nezuko's fists clenched.
"…What are you saying?!"
Tokita finally looked at her.
"…There are stronger enemies coming."
"…Far stronger than this."
Silence.
"…And when they come…"
"…you won't have time to hesitate."
Nezuko's expression shook.
Tokita continued.
"…They need this."
"…To grow."
"…To surpass their limits."
He looked back at Natsuki.
"…He's already doing it."
Nezuko slowly turned back—
Watching—
Natsuki's body… twitching.
Trying to move.
Back on the battlefield—
Hoshina groaned.
Slowly—
He started getting up.
"…You little…"
His body was damaged—
Burn marks across his skin—
Breathing unstable—
But he was still smiling.
"…You pushed me this far…"
At the same time—
Natsuki moved.
His fingers dug into the ground.
"…Tch…"
His body screamed in pain—
But he forced himself up.
One step.
Then another.
He was shaking—
But standing.
Hoshina noticed.
"…You're still standing?"
Natsuki didn't answer.
He walked forward.
Slow.
Heavy.
Then—
They moved.
One last time.
BOOOOOOOOM!!!
Lightning and water collided again—
An explosion tore through the battlefield—
The ground cracked—
Buildings shook—
The air distorted—
Then—
Silence.
Both stood still.
For a moment.
Then—
They both collapsed.
THUD!!
Dust rose.
Stillness returned.
Seconds passed.
Then—
Natsuki… moved.
Slowly.
Painfully.
He pushed himself up.
Standing.
Barely.
Hoshina lay on the ground—
Trying to move—
But failing.
Natsuki walked toward him.
Step.
Step.
Step.
He stood over him.
Looking down.
"…You're weak."
Hoshina's eyes widened slightly.
"…Pathetic."
Then—
CRASH!!
Natsuki slammed his foot into Hoshina's head—
Driving it into the ground—
The concrete shattered.
Hoshina's body went limp.
Silence.
Natsuki stood there.
Breathing heavily.
Then—
He turned.
Took one step—
Then—
THUD.
He collapsed.
His body finally gave out.
From a distance—
Nezuko stared.
Frozen.
Aoi exhaled slowly.
Tokita watched.
Calm.
"…He did it."
His eyes remained steady.
"…He surpassed his limit."
The battlefield fell silent.
Both fighters down.
A draw.
But not without growth.