Akuma wasn't the only one fighting for his life. His older brother, Tenshi, was only moments away from dying. At least, he would be if he made a single wrong move.

  He maintained a precarious handstand, one arm tucked behind his back while the other pressed firmly against one of the many menacing spikes surrounding him. His right thumb trembled, his muscles screaming under the combined weight of his own body and the imposing man balanced above him. An ocean of sweat traced patterns down his forehead, threatening his already tenuous grip.

  To prevent the spike from piercing his thumb, Tenshi channeled his Starlites, a form of energy generated by one's soul. A faint glow could be seen around his thumb as well as tiny star-like particles emanating from it. Though, the glow wavered with each passing second, threatening to dissolve completely.

  Perched with impossible grace on Tenshi's feet, his father gazed into the distance, seemingly unbothered by his son's struggle below.

  “The air is much sweeter than usual...” he muttered, his eyes narrowing. “Has the seal broken? No, it’s merely weakened a bit.”

  He inhaled deeply.

  “If that's true, then this world is running out of time. They are coming.”

  He shifted his weight slightly, his eyes fixed on something beyond the clouds below.

  “…Hey, Tenshi.”

  The subtle redistribution of weight disrupted Tenshi's focus, causing the energy around his thumb to flicker dangerously. The spike grazed his skin, drawing a bead of blood. Gritting his teeth, he summoned another surge of Starlites, glow intensifying as he regained control.

  “Wh-What is it?” he managed, though his voice strained.

  “How confident are you in your skills? Like... Ya think you could defeat a demon?”

  “Demon…? If you’re talking about monsters from fairy tales, then I’d have to say, no. It’s pretty hard to fight something that doesn’t exist. If we’re talking reality though, I’d say as long as I’m not fighting you, I don’t think anything in this world can beat me.”

  “Oh?” His father challenged, raising a brow. “Quite the ego you've got there.”

  “It's not ego if it's true.”

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  “Hah! You really are my son.”

  His father's laugh rumbled through their unstable center of gravity, momentarily destabilizing Tenshi's balance.

  “But how about we test that confidence... What about Akuma? Hm?”

  Tenshi paused, struggling to regain his balance.

  “Akuma? …What about him?”

  “Well, I think he might give you a run for your money.”

  “Yeah right. That idiot can barely even draw the Star. And why would he? He hasn't trained a day since mom died.”

  “……………”

  The mention of his deceased mother casted a shadow over the conversation.

  Tenshi's Starlites flickered, nearly fading entirely before he regained focus. His father stared off into the distance, reminiscing about his past.

  “That is true...” he admitted softly, slicing the tension a bit. After a moment, he continued, “Hey, speaking of Akuma. How do you feel about him? You know, like as a person?”

  “H-Huh?”

  The unexpected question nearly broke Tenshi's concentration again.

  “Where's this... coming from?”

  “I'm just curious.”

  “Well… He talks to himself, refuses to train anymore, and acts like nothing is his problem. If you ask me, he's a lazy, schizophrenic, weirdo.”

  A faint smirk played across his lips.

  “But he has guts… When he gets going, there ain’t nothing that can stop him… Well, except for me of course.”

  His father chuckled at his bluntness, the subtle movement sending dangerous ripples through their jointed center of gravity.

  “You are absolutely right! That boy. If he just had the motivation, he could take my martial arts to a level I couldn't even dream of! Damn, guess I'm stuck with you.”

  “I'm glad you love me soooo much...” Tenshi grumbled. “Now can you please stop moving?! If you haven't noticed, I'm dying here.”

  “Hm? Ah, don't be such a crybaby. When I was your age, I trained ten times as hard...”

  His gaze shifted downward as he started to reminisce.

  “...Isn't that right, Heracles... Besides! Why do you think I train you so hard while letting Akuma do whatever he wants?”

  “Because you're a deadbeat that refuses to raise his kids properly?”

  A vein throbbed on his father's brow.

  “Keep talking like that and I'll make you do pushups in that position! Let's see how your attitude holds up then!”

  Tenshi's eyes widened at the thought. His muscles tensed and his concentration began to slip. The Starlites around his thumb started to disintegrate at the edges. He could feel it. The spike beginning to pierce his skin. This was it for him.

  “P-Please...” He begged, desperately reinforcing his fading power. “Spare me. I-I'm sorry for what I said. You're a wonderful dad.”

  “Huh? What was that? I couldn't hear you over the sound of your pathetic Starlite pattern failing!”

  “I SAID YOU'RE THE BEST DAD EVER!!”

  “Too late... I want a thousand pushups. And if you fall, you better hope to God these spikes kill you. Because if they don't… I will!”

  Ten thousand meters in the air, as Akuma faced off against a walking calamity, Tenshi faced his own personal calamity. Such was an ordinary day of training for a Tiryns son. Or I suppose, Tenshi Tiryns.