Darkness
No sound.
No pain.
Just emptiness.
Hiroto Slowly Opens His Eyes
But—
He isn't in the settlement.
He Stands in Endless Black
No sky.
No ground visible.
Only darkness stretching forever.
His Blade Is in His Hand
Quiet.
Still.
Hiroto Looks Around Carefully
"…Where am I…?"
No answer
Then—
Footsteps
Soft.
Slow.
Hiroto's Eyes Sharpen Instantly
"…Who's there?!"
A Figure Emerges From the Darkness
Tall.
Unclear.
Almost distorted.
The same figure from before
The one holding the blade.
Hiroto grips his weapon tighter
"…You…"
The Figure Stops
Face still hidden.
Then speaks
A calm voice.
Ancient.
Distant.
"…You're early."
Hiroto's breathing steadies slightly
"…What is this place?"
The Figure Answers Simply
"…A space between will and memory."
That explains nothing
Hiroto steps forward cautiously
"…Who are you?"
A pause
Then—
"…Not someone you can understand yet."
Hiroto grits his teeth slightly
"…Everyone keeps saying that."
The Figure Tilts Its Head
Almost amused.
"…Because it's true."
Silence stretches
Then Hiroto asks the real question
"…What is this blade?"
The atmosphere changes slightly
The Figure Looks at the Weapon
Long.
Silent.
Then—
"…A weapon created to end kings."
Hiroto's eyes narrow
"…Kings?"
The Figure Continues
"…Not rulers."
A pause.
"…Controllers."
That word echoes strangely
Hiroto remembers the pressure
The black armor.
The watchers.
The fear.
"…The Ten Shadow Clans…"
The Figure Says Nothing
But—
Doesn't deny it
Hiroto steps forward again
"…Then tell me everything."
The Figure's voice lowers
"…No."
Hiroto's expression hardens
"…Why?!"
Suddenly—
Pressure floods the darkness
The Figure's presence changes instantly
Overwhelming.
Ancient.
Impossible.
"…Because knowledge without strength…"
The darkness trembles
"…leads only to death."
Hiroto freezes
For the first time—
He feels fear here
The Figure slowly raises its blade
"…Grow stronger."
A pause.
"…Then return."
Hiroto steps back instinctively
"…Wait—!"
The darkness begins collapsing
The space shatters apart
And suddenly—
Hiroto wakes up violently
Gasping for air
Back in the settlement
Nighttime.
Akari immediately stands
"Hiroto!"
Yui rushes over
"…You were unconscious for hours!"
Kenzaku watches carefully
"…You saw something."
Hiroto breathes heavily
Sweat running down his face.
"…Yeah…"
Everyone waits
A long silence
Then Hiroto says quietly—
"…The blade isn't just alive."
He looks down at it
Eyes uneasy now.
"…It remembers."*
To Be Continued!!!