Aomi and Duck, not understanding their master's sudden stop, instantly went on guard, scanning the alleys and rooftops. Nothing. No visible danger.
Yet, in the heavy silence, a voice emerged directly in Kuro's mind. Clear, icy, and tinged with cruel amusement: Shiro, his white-haired brother and leader of the Burned Bloods.
You've finally come out of hiding! My brother.
Kuro remained impassive as if he had expected this, his inner voice resonating with determination.
Shiro, my brother, the destruction you cause will lead you nowhere. You must put an end to it.
A cruel laugh filled Kuro's mind, without spreading outside. Shiro stood on a bustling street, lit by lanterns, surrounded by agitated passersby. His elegant black suit contrasted with the warm light, and his face expressed anger and hatred, but only Kuro could hear his words.
You know very well what I'm looking for, Kuro, you who have always been so good to others, so protective. Give me the half of the seed you hold, and I promise to end this.
Kuro remained impassive, cold, his mind sealed against the mental confrontation.
Your words inspire no trust. But I will end your reign, my brother.
Shiro's laugh echoed again, distant, as if coming from nowhere and everywhere at once.
I'd like to see that, my brother.
Aomi and Duck continued to scan the surroundings, unable to perceive the source of the tension. Only Kuro's frozen posture betrayed that something, or someone, was present, unseen.
Kuro closed his eyes for a fraction of a second, took a breath, and whispered to himself:
Life will be reborn in its original form, and we... we will disappear, leaving this world as we found it, my brother.
In this world, strength is not a gift… it is the price one pays to stay alive.
Kara is the life energy that flows through all things. Some shape it to create, others to destroy… but all depend on it to survive.
When the breath of Kara fades, the heart stops beating, and the soul disappears into the eternal shadow.
Next scene...
The sun was already high, scorching the roofs of the Zenith Temple. The afternoon heat crushed the air, and on the training esplanade, three figures had collapsed like disjointed puppets.
Danky was lying on his back, arms spread wide, his breath whistling.
I think... I'm dead, he groaned.
Raizen, on his knees with his head down, was breathing heavily. Sweat beaded on his forehead, dripping down his cheeks.
No... if you were dead... you wouldn't be talking.
Diana, sitting cross-legged, pressed a towel against her neck. Her damp hair stuck to her skin, but a discreet glint of pride shone in her eyes.
We... we survived. That's something.
A heavy silence fell, broken only by their ragged breaths. Then Danky, still sprawled out, spoke in a falsely dramatic tone:
Hey... what if we did something normal, like... going to the city?
Raizen turned his head toward him, bewildered.
To the city? After this?
Exactly, Danky replied with a tired smile. We can't stay stuck here getting killed in every training session. We need to breathe a little.
Diana timidly raised her hand.
...I'd like that too.
They exchanged a knowing look, then struggled to their feet and headed toward the main house.
In the hall, Hana was sorting scrolls. She looked up as they arrived, exhausted and drenched in sweat.
You look like you've seen a ghost, she said, amused.
Danky got straight to the point:
Hana, can we go to the city? Just to relax a bit...
Raizen lowered his head slightly.
We need a break. Just one outing.
Hana observed them for a long moment, her arms crossed. Her gaze shifted from Raizen to Danky, then to Diana. Diana nodded gently, confirming the request.
A sigh escaped her.
Fine... alright. But on one condition: you stay together, and at the slightest sign of trouble, you come back immediately. Understood?
The three of them nodded in unison. Danky flashed a wide smile.
Promise!
Hana couldn't help but smile.
Very well. Wait, I'll ask an Astroforge to accompany you.
Zenith Temple...
At the top of the sanctuary, the temple doors opened. Kuro appeared on the threshold, draped in his long white attire. He stopped on the steps, his gaze turned to the blue sky. The light wind made the banners of the Zenith Temple ripple, but his face remained grave. His eyes were fixed on the horizon, as if, behind this seemingly peaceful day, an invisible storm was already brewing.
Meanwhile, in the heart of the Burning Lair, the air vibrated with suffocating heat. Between the red columns bathed in the glow of flames, a young Burned Blood, barely nineteen, was kneeling, his forehead almost touching the ground.
Before him, Shiro stood, impassive. His white hair caught the light, his red eyes shining with a glacial fury. The aura surrounding him was so dense that the air seemed to tremble.
The young man raised his head, his voice firm despite the trembling of his lips.
You will not regret this, master.
Behind him, a black door appeared in the flames, sucking in the heat like a tear in reality. Without hesitation, he stepped through it. Shiro remained alone, his fists clenched, his murderous gaze fixed on nothing.
At the same time, the apprentices were waiting at the sanctuary's hidden exit. They had swapped their soaked clothes for simple city attire. Danky was tapping his foot impatiently.
So, who's going to watch us? I hope it's not Adams... otherwise our 'day off' will turn into another training session.
A female voice echoed behind them:
Don't worry, it'll be me.
Ashley, the Astroforge from Chapter 4, walked toward them with a confident smile. She had shed her armor for a discreet outfit, a scarf hiding the Zenith mark on her hand.
Rule number one: no Kara. Rule number two: no trouble. And rule number three: you stay together. Understood?
Danky raised his hand like a soldier.
Yes, ma'am!
Ashley shook her head, smiling.
Alright, let's go. The best skewer stand in Kazemori is waiting for us.
The group set off on the path to the city, oblivious to the shadows already stretching behind them.
The sun was setting gently over Kazemori, bathing the paved streets in a golden light. The air vibrated with the cheerful hubbub of the city: the cries of merchants, the laughter of children, and the scent of grilled skewers wafting between the stalls.
Danky:
Another one! These are even better than the last!
Ashley:
Danky, if you keep this up, you'll end up rolling back to the sanctuary.
Raizen:
Let him be. At least it'll stop his whistling when he sleeps.
Danky:
Hey! I don't whistle! Besides, you're one to talk, Mr. 'I-know-all-the-alleys-to-escape-the-guards.' You made us take a ten-minute detour earlier.
Raizen:
It was a shortcut. You just have no sense of direction.
While they bickered, Diana had stopped in front of a kimono shop, her eyes shining.
Diana:
Look at that one... The patterns are so delicate.
Ashley:
It would look great on you. The color would bring out your hair.
Diana:
You think so?
It was then that her gaze drifted to a dark alley. A still figure, crouched on the edge of a roof, seemed to be watching them.
Diana:
Uh... guys? Do you see that?
The other three turned. For a split second, they saw the dark shape. Then, like a shadow blown away by the wind, it vanished.
Raizen:
There was someone there, I'm sure of it.
Danky:
I didn't see anything. Diana, are you sure it wasn't your imagination? You've been seeing ghosts all day.
Diana:
But... I really saw something.
Ashley placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
Ashley:
It's a big city, there are always people on the roofs. Don't worry. I'm here. As long as you stay close to me, everything will be fine.
Even though her words were meant to be calming, her eyes nervously scanned the surroundings. The illusion of normalcy had just cracked.
Night eventually fell, and to wash away the tension and fatigue of the day, the group headed to the public baths.
Ashley:
Alright, let's meet at the exit in an hour. And no funny business, you two.
Danky:
Promise, we won't drown!
In the women's changing room, the air was already heavy with steam. Diana, a little shy, undressed quickly and wrapped herself in her towel. Ashley, however, took her time. She slowly untied the knot of her outfit, letting the fabric slide off her shoulders. Under her city clothes, an athletic body was revealed, but every line was fine and graceful. Her muscles were not massive, but defined, a testament to years of rigorous training. She ran a hand through her hair to tie it into a loose bun, her neck elegantly exposed. As she turned to grab her towel, she displayed a quiet confidence, a femininity that needed no artifice, that of a strong woman at peace with her body.
They entered the bathing area. The hot steam enveloped them like a cocoon. Ashley dropped her towel without hesitation and submerged herself in the water with a sigh of contentment, her pale skin glowing under the light of the lanterns. Diana joined her, more hesitantly, and settled against the warm stone.
Ashley:
Feeling better?
Diana:
Yes, much better, thank you. Sorry about earlier... I must have been paranoid.
Ashley:
Don't apologize. In our world, paranoia is a form of caution. It's good to be attentive.
A soothing silence settled in. It was then that Diana looked up. The same feeling. On the roof of a neighboring building, visible through an opening in the ceiling, the figure was back, and clearly present this time, staring right at them.
End of Chapter 11