Black Sun: Dusk

Part 1
Hell, the Fifth Circle.

A rainless storm raged over the volcanic landscape, lightning bolts and gusts of strong wind together with the roar of magma creating a powerful, gut-wrenching noise. Several were wandering in the vicinity, overseeing groups of  condemned to this Circle.

On top of one of the countless rocky pillars dotting the area, there was standing a single man clad in black robes with a black cape.

"This place brings memories", remarked Hikari Maebure.

Quite some time ago he had helped a large number of Sinners escape and invade the, and their temporary headquarters used to be located in this realm. Despite his half-hearted support, however, they failed, and since he had freed them from the Hell's chains, once killed by the they were returned to the circulation of s, apart for select few individuals.

Hikari smirked. He did not have any strong feelings regarding those wretches, one way or another, but he gained satisfaction from the fact that he had broken the order of Hell through his actions. As a Sōzōshin very long ago he used to maintain the balance of Souls, but now, as a Tsumikami, he was repeatedly disrupting it. For some vague reason it was a rich source of dark happiness, an emotion which he had not felt in any form since decades.

Won't you try to find them?, asked Jamansim within his mind.

"Their messenger didn't specify where should I go, so I've figured they'll come for me", replied Maebure calmly.

He had released a moderate amount of his, sufficient to be detected and to be able to detect as well. He remembered the peculiar signature of Gundan's spiritual pressure, and was now scanning the entire area in search for something similar. At first he found nothing, and time was passing slowly.

They might be sneaking on you, warned his Karadawaru spirit.

"Yes", blurted Hikari in response.

Then, with an abrupt motion he unsheathed his sabre and made a rapid turn. Wave of dark energy escaped from the blade during his manoeuvre and struck the ground behind him, causing it to crack and erupt into a cloud of ash. Right afterward five blurry silhouettes loomed within the shroud of dust.

"First you offer me challenge, and then you try to ambush me?", he commented with a slight frown. "How devious."

The five Yōkai emerged from the cloud, the stare of their inhuman eyes fixed on the Tsumikami.

"You're an escaped prisoner", retorted Gundan in a stern manner. "We don't owe you anything."

"So, this is your plan?", asked Hikari as he assumed a fighting stance. "Bring several comrades and attack me from behind?"

"We don't need any plansss", hissed a disturbingly feminine, sleek Daemon with light blue skin. "We can crush you with our ssstrength alone."

"You've been doing well eliminating the rebellious Togabito", said another Yōkai when he stepped forward, a tall and oddly rotund creature with orange skin and a crest of spikes on the top of its head. "But now's the time you know your place."

Once he spoke that, he lifted his hands outstretched. Maebure widened his eyes slightly when the peak of the pillar they were all standing on started morphing without a warning, sprouting a number of spikes that shot toward him. With the use of he evaded the odd attack and jumped into the sultry air, his cape fluttering behind him. Seeing that, the Yōkai split up rapidly.

"Let's enjoy this", said Hikari with a dark smile.