Part Two – Chapter Two: The Truth of the Entity
Shura walked alone through the desolate forest, everything around him silent… a heavy quiet shrouded in mystery, except for the sound of the cold wind blowing through the trees, like the cries of the dead who had found no refuge. The ground beneath his feet was covered with fallen leaves, swaying and making faint sounds as if whispering his name. Every shadow, every movement, heightened his tension, as if the forest itself was watching him.
Suddenly… a sharp pain tore through his chest, erupting from his head like a lightning bolt striking his mind. He collapsed to the ground, screaming, feeling completely unconscious.
In total darkness, he found himself sitting in an endless void. No light, no sound except for a faint hiss echoing across the space. His body trembled, his eyes widened as red, blood-like eyes appeared in the darkness, glowing directly at him.
In a faint whisper, almost a murmur, Shura asked:
"Are you… the Entity?"
The eyes gave no answer, but the Entity emerged from the darkness, resembling Shura in every way, yet greater, larger, filled with a dark aura that could freeze the blood of anyone who gazed upon it.
Shura stepped back, his voice trembling:
"Wh… who are you? And what are you?"
The Entity smiled, its laughter chilling to the bone, then spoke with calm, sarcastic tones:
"Do you want to know my story, little one? Very well… I will tell you."
The Entity began:
"You are not the only vessel I have chosen. Every hundred years, I appear again and find a new vessel… but no one before you used my power for good; all sought destruction. By nature… I love chaos and ruin, and I enjoy watching everything crumble before me."
A wicked smile crept into its words, as if reflecting the cruelty of time itself.
"But… a hundred years ago, there was one person… only one who used my power for good, who created a world without wars, without bloodshed. But humans, by their nature, do not love peace… he was assassinated. So, imagine, little one… that goodness in this world is always threatened with extinction."
A pause, then the Entity looked at the tears welling in Shura's eyes internally, and added:
"But it seems your will is strong. You have endured much pain… hahaha… but do not worry, sooner or later, every vessel loses their will."
Shura whispered, as if speaking to himself:
"Am I evil now?"
The Entity laughed mockingly:
"Do you remember the first time you killed without mercy? You smiled as if enjoying your victim's screams… you see? It wasn't your will driving you… anger controlled you, and revenge possessed you. But I do not blame you, little one… you empowered me with every soul taken by your hand… and I enjoyed it."
Then it added:
"But now… your time has come. Time for you to truly understand what my existence within you means."
Shura awoke, his eyes wide, gripping his chest as if his heart would stop from the sheer pain. He whispered in a low voice, filled with anger and sorrow:
"My hellfire has not cooled…"
He stood, his steps heavy on the forest floor, and with every step, the wind's whistle seemed to chant his name. The pain in his heart transformed into determination, and the sense of darkness became part of him, yet he did not surrender.
Shura continued through the forest, carrying in his heart the terrifying truth: the Entity is neither evil nor good… it is merely a reflection of the will of its bearer, and he must control it before losing himself.
As he walked, the trees began to move as if alive. Every shadow thickened, every sound became clearer. Suddenly, he heard an inner whisper repeating his name, like an echo in his fractured mind, trying to lure him toward madness.
The Entity appeared again, this time stronger, larger, the shadows surrounding it as if the darkness itself had become its body. Its steps shook the ground, and its voice rang inside Shura's mind:
"Can you resist me? Or are you just a weak vessel breaking beneath my weight?"
Shura stopped, his heart pounding, memories flooding in: blood, pain, betrayal, every moment that shaped the assassin within him. He let out a silent scream, challenging the Entity:
"I am not just a vessel! I will fight to the end!"
The Entity laughed, and created another illusion: Yuki, wounded and bleeding, calling his name. Shura saw her tears, felt the guilt and fear, yet he knew this was a test… surrender was not an option.
He raised his black blades, his glowing eye scanning around, attempting to control his mind, his memories, his anger. Every breath, every step, added more pressure to his heart. Every dying tear in his eye fueled his growing fury, bringing the assassin within to the surface, while the human part struggled to endure.
Then he saw the trees move… it was not merely the wind. Two shadows among the trees moved slowly, intertwining, approaching him step by step. His heart pounded, his mind beginning to tear between reality and illusion, past and present.
Another trap appeared: an iron net dropped from above. Everything felt like a test… every step, every illusion, every shadow challenged his will. Everything forced him to face his past, to choose: to control the Entity within or immerse completely in rage.
At that moment, Yuki appeared beside him, trying to speak, but her words were swallowed by the forest's silence. Her gaze said: "I am here, but I cannot help you." His sense of isolation grew, yet he found a reason in his heart to move forward, not retreat.
Then a new shadow appeared, darker than anything he had seen, massive, moving slowly as if swallowing the light around it. It was the Entity, but clearer, greater, filled with shadow. Shura felt the heat of his anger blending with fear, rising within his chest.
Every step he took, every heartbeat, every silent scream inside him… brought him closer to the truth he had sought from the beginning. The assassin inside him was ready, the human part fought… and everything teetered on the edge of explosion.
The chapter ends with Shura standing in the middle of the forest, one eye glowing, the other missing, facing the Entity, both staring at each other, the battle of power and will at its peak… the outcome still uncertain
"Amid the shadows and darkness, Shura realized that the truth was no longer just revelation… but a confrontation with the self that could shape his fate."