Scarlet Tears- Primal

The morning sunlight filtered through the cathedral-like windows of the Prismic Gathering estate, casting golden light across the obsidian meeting table. Yet the warmth did little to thaw the chill that had settled over the room.

Neve stood at the head of the table. Gone was her usual radiant smile, the mischief and charm replaced by a mask of solemnity. She clutched a folded parchment in her hand, its seal already broken—the message within having already shattered her composure.

Kamaki, leaning against the wall, narrowed his eyes. "Neve… you're not smiling. That's never a good sign."

Neve looked up slowly, her voice flat. "Take a seat. All of you."

Tyrone dropped into his chair with mock enthusiasm. "Say less, ma'am. But this better not be about someone stealing your favorite ice cream again."

Raijin tilted his chair back. "Nah. If Neve's not smiling, it's gotta be serious."

Neve placed the parchment down, letting its contents weigh heavy in the silence. "It's worse than Jahard. The Astral Legion… they're replicating Kazimir's power."

Gasps echoed. Riah's eyes flared.

"They're using humans? Like Jahard did?"

Neve shook her head. "No. They scavenged energy from the remains of a Dynasty soldier Kazimir defeated. The energy was still active. They've weaponized it. And the one orchestrating this—" her lips curled with bitter venom, "—is Ingress."

Riah stood abruptly, fists clenched. "That bastard! I knew he wasn't up to any good!"

Lihanna gently placed a hand on her shoulder. "Riah, calm down. You're shaking."

"How can I calm down when Kaz is in danger?!"

Tyrone waved a hand. "He's not in danger. Ingress is gonna get clapped like always."

Raijin snorted. "Yeah, Tyrone's right. That man's got a 0–6 record against Kaz."

But Jessie's voice cut through the levity like a blade. "This isn't about winning. It's about destroying Kazimir's legacy. Ingress doesn't want to beat him. He wants the world to hate him."

Neve nodded grimly. "They already do. Despite everything he's done—he overclocks himself, burns his body to bring balance, and the world still sees him as a monster."

Kazimir, silent until now, raised his eyes. Their sapphire glow dimmed with thought.

"I understand now," he said. "If he wants me, then I'll give him the end he's looking for."

Riah's voice was quick. "Then I'm coming with you."

"No," Kazimir replied calmly. "This is something I must end myself."

She stared at him, fierce and stubborn, then finally relented with a huff. "Fine. But I'll be watching. The future without you… is not one I'll let happen."

An alert chimed in the air—an emergency signal from the western city of Capriha.

Kazimir stood. "Let's go."

With a flick of his wrist, the air cracked with azure light, and the team vanished into his dimensional leap.

The city was quiet.

Too quiet.

On top of a spire, Ingress stood alone, cloak fluttering in the breeze. He looked down with a smirk, arms folded.

"I see you came," he said.

Kazimir met his gaze. "Where's the invader?"

Ingress chuckled. "Standing in front of me. You stepped right into the bait."

The others stepped behind Kazimir, their presence solid, unified.

"We're in a civilian zone," Kazimir warned. "We fight here, people get hurt."

"That's what makes this the perfect stage," Ingress replied, snapping his fingers.

Screens activated across the city. A clip played—Kazimir, in his Maw of the End form, eyes glowing with divine fury, impaling Ingress, flinging Jessie, and stepping over Neve's fallen body.

Gasps echoed from the civilians around.

"That's not what happened!" Neve shouted. 

Ingress raised his voice. "This is your hero? This alien? This disciple of Nebula—the one who killed Karah, the one who annihilated his own race?!"

Whispers turned to doubt. Eyes turned to fear.

Kazimir stood still, unmoved. The accusations washed over him like cold rain.

Riah stepped beside him. "Is this how you treat someone who gave you peace? I bled for this world—he bled more. And now you turn on him?"

"Did I mention," Ingress added, "that Kazimir's blood has birthed weapons more powerful than anything on this Earth? Imagine what his corpse could give us."

Tyrone blinked. "Oh nah. He's crazy."

Raijin shook his head. "Knew it. Always hated this guy."

Kamaki cracked his knuckles. "What a clown."

Riah stepped forward. "Then fight me, Ingress."

"Need your girlfriend to save you now?" Ingress teased.

Kazimir walked forward, touching her shoulder gently. "I appreciate it. But I'll end this my way."

Ingress smiled. "Perfect. Let's begin."

Their blades clashed in the square, sparks raining down like fireflies.

Ingress slashed in a flurry—Kazimir deflected with effortless grace.

Thread-like shadows shot out—Kazimir leapt, severing them midair.

Ingress hurled him into a wall, dragged him with shadow threads, slammed him again. Dust exploded.

"Come on, Kaz!" Tyrone shouted.

"He's holding back," Lihanna whispered. "Too many people nearby."

"Just like the Diablo fight," Jessie murmured. "He's fighting at 10%."

Ingress, bleeding black ichor, laughed. "Show them the monster you are, Kazimir! Show them what I am trying to protect them from!"

Kazimir's eyes sharpened. "You have my DNA in your veins. Who's the real monster?"

He hurled a lightning spear—it exploded against Ingress with a thunderclap.

Cheers erupted.

But Ingress stood again, regeneration faster, stronger. Then—the sky darkened.

An eclipse swallowed the sun.

"No," Lihanna whispered. "A blood moon."

"The second one," Neve muttered. "He's the new Lord of Vampires."

As Ingress rose into the air, cloak turning to wings, fangs bared and energy radiating violently, Kazimir turned to his comrades.

'Kazimir then smile' i will end this