"It would be prudent to answer my question, child," intoned Fate.
Kioku's breath turned ragged as the air grew heavy in his lungs. He found it difficult to breathe. He fell to his knees, yet forced himself to keep his eyes trained on the figure before him.
"Are… you a god?" Kioku asked. The presence before him, this overwhelming sense of danger, he had only felt something similar once before, when Darkness had appeared in Ju.
'The presence they give off is similar… but why, why does this person also feel familiar?'
Kioku's mind raced as he struggled to make sense of it all. He saw the cold purple eyes narrow, and his heart sank.
"Wait, I-"
"Insolence."
Kioku's body was slammed hard against the floor as an immense pressure descended upon him. Sweat drenched his body as he struggled beneath the enormous weight. The air was forced from his lungs, suffocation building steadily. With great effort, he lifted his head just enough to look at the figure, and immediately regretted it.
Their eyes met.
Suddenly, Kioku's mind was flooded with the image of a vast tapestry woven from countless purple threads. It was too vast, too fast, his mind could not comprehend it. Blood streamed from his eyes and nose as he felt his consciousness begin to collapse. His mind screamed in terror, the fear of imminent death clawing at him.
And then, in an instant, everything vanished.
Kioku could move again. Blood still flowed from his eyes and nose, but the crushing pressure was gone. He vomited violently as he struggled to rise. Fresh air filled his lungs, yet it felt hot, burning.
"The Tapestry of Fate," the figure said, gazing at him with a softened expression.
"Beautiful. Organized. Perfect."
"Too perfect."
"To wreak havoc upon the Higher Plane, to shatter this perfect order, would be the highest sin one can commit."
The figure crouched and lifted Kioku's chin, bringing their faces mere inches apart. His eyes were calm now, but Kioku's vision swam, his thoughts disoriented.
"You could barely stand against me," the figure said quietly, "yet you wish to walk the path of history's greatest sinner?"
Kioku could barely remain conscious. Responding was impossible. He simply stared back, unblinking, until something within those eyes made his blood run cold.
Satisfaction.
The figure rose and walked toward the door, leaving Kioku on all fours. Moonlight from the blue moon streamed through the window, illuminating the boy's broken, pitiful state.
"I saved you once out of curiosity," the figure said, fading away.
"And now I spare your life again for the same reason."
Only his voice remained, echoing through the chamber, and Kioku's mind.
"That look in your eyes… the fear, the helplessness, the rage at your own weakness."
A pause.
"The last time I saw it, a river of blood flowed through the Higher Plane."
Kioku could no longer hold on. Darkness claimed him as he collapsed into a puddle of blood and vomit, consciousness slipping away.
The last thing he felt was anger.
A flame of rage that consumed his entire being.
♤♤♤
'Your arrogance will be the death of you.'
'Your aim is to soar, yet you remain ignorant of the sun.'
'Talent requires hard work, you know.'
'FOLLOWERS OF THE ACCURSED, YOU SHALL PAY FOR YOUR CRIMES!'
"NO!"
Kioku snapped awake, drenched in cold sweat. He clutched his face, a sharp sting radiating from his eyes.
'Just a dream… just a dream,' he repeated, forcing himself to calm down.
When he had awoken earlier, the injuries inflicted by the mysterious figure were gone, as though nothing had ever happened. He had dragged himself to bed and fallen asleep instantly.
Now, turning his gaze to the window, he frowned.
The sun had not risen.
"I definitely slept for a long time… does time work differently here?" Kioku muttered.
A soft knock sounded at the door, followed by Nera's firm voice.
"Sorry to interrupt, but I can't show you around if you remain asleep all day."
Kioku hurried to straighten his clothes and opened the door. Nera stood there, wearing the same uniform as before, though now a long cape draped over her right shoulder. Her expression was a mix of amusement and annoyance.
"If you slept any longer, I would've assumed you were dead. Come on, we've got a long day ahead."
"But it's still night," Kioku said, puzzled. "Wait… did I sleep an entire day?"
Nera stared at him, then burst into laughter. Her laugh was graceful, melodic, and the longer it lasted, the more Kioku felt his face heat up.
"What's funny?"
"Your expression," she said, calming herself. She patted his head, making him blush even more.
"I'll explain on the way. I have unfinished work, so your tour will be… brief."
"Right. I'm ready," Kioku said, gently removing her hand.
"What? Not the touchy type?" Nera teased. "My lord said you quite enjoyed embracing him."
"I DID NOT!"
Her chuckle confirmed he had fallen straight into the trap.
"Well, I'm not fond of touching either," she said lightly, "but exceptions can be made for you."
She took his hand. Kioku stiffened, then squirmed as her fingers intertwined with his.
Her figure overlapped with another in his mind. His bashfulness faded, replaced by something deeper. Unknowingly, he tightened his grip.
'Her hands… they're warm.'
"Here we go."
They dissolved into the shadows of the hallway, unaware of the purple eyes watching from afar.
♤♤♤
"Are you okay?"
Kioku stood bent over, hands braced on his knees, breath ragged. Nera hovered beside him, her expression laced with concern. They had teleported into the middle of a wide road just beyond the looming black palace.
"I'm fine," Kioku said, forcing a deep breath as he straightened himself. His face remained pale, his expression weary, but he managed a small smile.
"I just need to get used to it."
"I forgot you've barely traveled through the Abyss," Nera said gently. "It can be draining on the spirit the first few times. You'll adapt."
She smiled reassuringly, then stretched out her arms in an extravagant gesture.
"Welcome to the Inner Capital."
Now steadied, Kioku finally took in his surroundings, and exhaled in awe. The Shadow Realm was beautiful.
The road beneath their feet was forged from a black marble-like substance, smooth and reflective, threaded with glowing blue crystals along its edges. Towering buildings of matte stone lined the streets, each one uniquely carved with strange, intricate patterns. No two were the same, yet all carried the same solemn grandeur.
As they walked, Kioku noticed that every passerby wore a uniform similar to Nera's, though adorned with varying numbers of stars and a cape draped over one shoulder.
"The capital is divided into the Inner and Outer regions," Nera explained in a professional tone.
"The Outer Capital houses the largest population, where most of our Lord's lower ranked Aspirants reside. The Inner Capital-"
"Is where high ranking individuals like you live," Kioku finished.
Nera glanced at him, surprise flickering briefly across her eyes before she nodded.
"Correct. Good eyes."
A flash of anger passed through Kioku's expression at her last comment, he quickly suppressed. He turned his attention to the clouded sky above.
"The sun still isn't up. Is that normal?"
"There is no sun in the Shadow Realm," Nera replied, tilting her head upward. "When the moon is covered, it's morning. When it isn't, it's night."
"That's… strange."
"You'll find that's actually one of the less strange things here," she chuckled, pointing ahead. Four enormous black statues towered in the distance. They were identical, realistic, imposing, and unnervingly lifelike.
"The Guardian Statues," Nera said. "They face the cardinal directions and serve as guides. If you ever leave the capital, you must follow one in a straight line. Deviate, even slightly, and you'll be lost."
Kioku's expression hardened.
"And if someone gets lost?"
Nera fell silent. Her gaze drifted toward the distant, towering walls that encircled the capital.
"Powerful ancient creatures roam the lands beyond those walls," she finally said, her voice cold.
Kioku understood the warning.
They continued on. Beyond residences, the Inner Capital housed numerous shops selling weapons forged from the same black material, along with high-end clothing and glowing blue crystals that illuminated the streets. As they walked, Nera spoke less and less. When she did, her voice was detached, almost mechanical.
Soon, they arrived at a district buzzing with frantic activity. People rushed in and out of buildings, tension thick in the air.
'That building…' Kioku noted.
At the far end stood a modest structure marked with the symbol of an owl and seven stars. Though he had seen stars and symbols before, every building here bore the same owl emblem.
"Apologies," Nera said abruptly. "We need to stop here. I have something to collect."
She strode ahead without waiting for a response.
'The lands beyond the capital are a sensitive subject for her,' Kioku realized. 'Better not to press it.'
He followed her inside.
The room was small and chaotic. Books, scrolls, maps, and clothing were scattered across the floor. Ink stains marred the walls and desk. Seated amid the mess was a lean young man with messy, curtain like black hair and sharp green eyes. His features were calm yet worn, like a scholar who had long forgotten sleep.
"Wen," Nera said flatly, "the information on Zyren has not been delivered."
The man raised a finger absently and scratched his head, muttering to himself.
"Zyren… Zyren… yes, I was meant to give you something. Someone with that name… let me think… so much work…"
Kioku felt a pang of pity. Wen looked like stress alone might push him into madness.
"If you haven't managed to-" Nera began, already turning away.
"Zyren," Wen interrupted suddenly.
His voice shifted, sharp, rapid, precise.
"Seventy five quins old. Physical appearance of twenty. Apprentice to Elder Knight Geron of the Divinum Sedes. A wolf in sheep's clothing. Power unknown. Current location: mortal worlds of the Norse Pantheon."
Kioku stiffened.
The aura around Wen had changed completely.
Nera bowed respectfully and gestured for Kioku to follow, but Wen lifted his head and met Kioku's gaze.
In that instant, Kioku felt like prey beneath the gaze of a great bird. Every thought, every secret, laid bare.
"Kioku Himira," Wen continued.
"Ten quins old. Son of Tiam Himira. Apprentice to Aspirant Souni. Sole survivor of the Ju massacre. Unique Dajan Hatan. Personal evaluation-"
He paused.
Then muttered softly, almost dismissively.
"Painfully weak."
The words hit like a blade.
"WHAT DID YOU SA-"
Nera clamped her hand over Kioku's mouth and shot him a warning glare. She bowed deeply to Wen and dragged Kioku out of the building. Only once they were a good distance away did she release him.
"Why did you stop me?" Kioku demanded.
"You were seconds away from getting yourself killed," Nera replied calmly. "And you know he wasn't wrong."
Kioku clenched his teeth, rage boiling violently inside his chest.
"Know? Of course I know!" he shouted, drawing stares from passersby. "That's why I came here, to grow stronger and-"
"To get revenge on the Divine Council."
Nera turned sharply. Her aura flared, cold, suffocating. Kioku felt a chill crawl up his spine.
"There have been countless people like you," she said. "They arrive filled with rage, seeking vengeance. You are not unique. Some of them have lost far more than you."
"So what?" Kioku growled. "I'm supposed to forget everything? Pretend nothing happened?"
"You're supposed to honor the dead by continuing to live," Nera replied.
"It's been three Ages. The Shadow Realm has fought the Divinum Sedes that long, and we are locked in a stalemate."
She looked down at him.
"What can you, a weak mortal, do to change what even the most powerful divine beings can't?"
Kioku opened his mouth, but stopped.
His fists clenched. Tears welled despite his effort to hold them back. Nera's expression softened. She stepped closer and gently patted his head.
"You're just a child," she said quietly.
"Don't forget that."
BOOM!
Black lightning erupted from the castle, its thunder rolling across the entire capital. The air instantly turned charged, heavy, alive, crackling with a raw, violent pressure that felt nothing like Darkness's deep stillness. This was sharper, wilder, a promise of coming storms.
Kioku pulled away from Nera and looked toward the castle. Hesitation flickered across his face before hardening into grim resolve. He turned back to her and found her already watching him, her expression severe, her earlier pity gone, replaced by the focus of a soldier hearing her commander's call.
"He has returned," she said, her voice low, tensed with readiness. "The Supreme Commander."
The words settled like a weight upon his chest. Not the master strategist, the Supreme Commander.
"It's time to choose," Nera continued, her gaze locking with his, unforgiving.
"Fruitless revenge…"
She nodded toward the castle, where the echoes of thunder still hummed in the stones.
"....or mortal ignorance."