SPOILERS for Kurogane's backstory and chapter 125. Challenge: mantra.

Impetus

His mother lies dead and his father's sword is bloody in his hands. The demons grin and gibber, and nobody else is left to defeat them. He will not lose.

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He catches the final assassin outside Tomoyo's bedchamber: the woman moves like a snake, stance careful and weapon raised. Behind that door, his princess sleeps. He will not lose.

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The wound to his side is hurting, bleeding too much; his attackers circle him expectantly. Somewhere the others are waiting for him, the kid and his princess and that wizard with one eye and a terrible hunger.

He will not lose.