Night had fallen.
The inside of the cabin was dim. The flickering firelight danced across the walls, making the shadows move as if they were alive.
Kashikari sat in silence.
His eyes were fixed on the flames… but that wasn't where he was looking.
His mind was still on that word.
"Ninhim…"
It wasn't an ordinary word.It carried weight. Something unfamiliar… yet deeply felt.
It was as if he had heard it before.
But where?
Jinwi trembled slightly.
"Opposite."
Kashikari lifted his head just a little.
"Opposite?" he asked, his voice low but clear.
"Balance."
One word.
But it was enough.
The door creaked open.
Cold air rushed inside.
Dorum stepped in.
But this time… something was different.
There was a weight beneath his usual calm.
"We need to talk," he said.
Kashikari didn't respond.
But his gaze… was ready.
Dorum slowly approached the table and placed down an old book.
It was worn. Its pages yellowed, its edges frayed.
But what it held…
Was not old.
He opened it.
Two symbols.
One dark—as if it swallowed light itself.
The other bright—but not blinding.
"These…" Dorum said,
"…are the heart of this world."
Kashikari's eyes darkened.
"Jinwi," Dorum continued.
Kashikari's hand clenched unconsciously.
"…and Ninhim."
In that moment…
The cabin felt smaller.
"Jinwi," Dorum said,
"represents destruction."
"It erases. It devours. It leaves nothing behind."
Kashikari lowered his gaze.
"…I know."
But in truth…
He didn't.
"And you," Dorum said,
"…are its bearer."
Silence.
The crackling of the fire grew louder.
"And the other?" Kashikari asked.
"Ninhim," Dorum replied.
"It represents creation."
"It protects. It restores. It maintains balance."
A brief pause.
"…and it stands against Jinwi."
Kashikari slowly raised his head.
"So… against me."
Dorum didn't look away.
"Yes."
There was no hesitation.
Kashikari took a deep breath.
"So that's why…" he said quietly.
"…they're looking for me."
Dorum nodded.
"You're no longer just a child."
"You are…"
He paused.
"…a point of balance."
That word…
Kashikari didn't like it.
"I'm no one's balance," he said sharply.
Jinwi whispered:
"Not yet."
Kashikari clenched his teeth.
"This power…" he said.
"…will it kill me?"
Dorum was silent.
A brief pause…
But heavy.
"…If you fail to control it."
Clear.
No escape.
Kashikari lowered his head.
There was no fear.
But…
Something inside him stirred.
"Control…"
The word felt heavier now.
Dorum stood up.
"Power is easy," he said.
"So is using it."
Kashikari looked up.
"But control…" Dorum continued,
"…breaks people."
The night went on.
But Kashikari didn't sleep.
He stepped outside the cabin.
The sky was dark.
Even the stars felt distant.
"…Destruction…"
Jinwi responded:
"Freedom."
Kashikari frowned.
"Lie."
"Truth."
A moment of silence.
Then—
"You couldn't save them."
Kashikari froze.
That sentence…
pierced straight through him.
"…But you can save the others."
His breathing changed.
"How?"
Jinwi's voice deepened.
"…by destroying everything."
The wind howled.
The trees trembled.
But Kashikari didn't move.
He closed his eyes.
Inside him…
There were two forces.
One…
Wanted to destroy.
The other…
Resisted.
Slowly, he opened his eyes.
"…I'll decide."
Silence.
Jinwi said nothing.
But that silence…
Was not acceptance.
It was waiting.
Kashikari looked up at the sky.
And for the first time…
He wasn't afraid of himself.
But he knew one thing:
One day…
He would have to fight himself.