Scene One: The Awakening of Old Pain
Haru stood in a slightly dark area of the dream world. The sky above him had turned a deep crimson mixed with purple. Suddenly, a sharp pain struck his chest—an old pain, suppressed for years. The ground beneath his feet began to crack, and from within the fissures rose a deep sound, like a whisper that had been suffocated for a long time.
From the darkness, a massive form began to emerge—Leviathan. Its body was black and viscous, like living tar. Its eyes burned red, and its voice sounded like a scream trapped deep within.
"Haru…" Leviathan said in a heavy, agonizing voice.
"I am the pain you buried for years. I have been watching you from the beginning. From the day of the fire. From the day you sealed me inside yourself and rejected me. I am a part of you—and you denied me."
Haru stood frozen, the axe in his trembling hand.
"Why… why are you appearing now?"
Leviathan let out a broken laugh.
"Because you've begun to accept everything… except me. I am the pain you refuse to remember. The pain that hurts you every time you try to be strong."
Scene Two: The Beginning of the Battle
Leviathan attacked without warning. A massive strike from its black, sticky arm slammed into the ground beside Haru, creating a powerful shockwave. Haru leapt backward and raised his axe.
"I won't… let you control me!"
The battle erupted violently. Leviathan was overwhelmingly powerful—each strike carried a painful memory: the fire, the scars, the loneliness, the fear. Haru struggled to defend himself, but Leviathan was stronger… because it was born from Haru himself.
Scene Three: Imagination in Stages
Haru stopped and closed his eyes for a brief moment.
"I… will imagine."
First stage:
He imagined another version of himself beside him. Instantly, a second Haru appeared—same face, same clothes, same axe. This version charged at Leviathan, taking Haru's place in battle for a moment, giving the real Haru time to breathe and recover.
Second stage:
Haru imagined himself as a knight clad in full steel armor—shining armor, a helmet, and a long sword. His body transformed into that knight, who attacked Leviathan with heavy, powerful strikes, forcing it to retreat.
Third stage:
Haru imagined the knight standing beside him—separate from him. Suddenly, the knight appeared next to the real Haru, and the two fought together. Haru stood calmly while the knight attacked in perfect synchronization, controlled entirely by Haru's imagination.
Leviathan roared,
"These tricks won't save you!"
Haru smiled calmly.
"These aren't tricks… this is me."
Scene Four: The Right Hand and the Final Blow
Suddenly, Haru felt a powerful sensation in his right hand. The fingers that had been weak for so long began to move with full strength—stronger than ever before. He gripped the axe firmly with both hands.
"I accept you, Leviathan. I accept my pain."
Leviathan charged with all its power, but Haru leapt into the air, raised the axe with his right hand, and delivered a devastating final strike straight to Leviathan's head. The blow was filled with every ounce of pain and strength within him.
Scene Five: The White Light
In that instant, an overwhelming white light erupted, covering everything. It was not an explosion—it was an inner light pouring out from Haru himself, engulfing the entire dream world.
Haru felt a strange sense of relief… then lost consciousness and collapsed to the ground.
End of Chapter 19
(The white light continues to cover everything… and the story is far from over.)