Sakamoto's Age: 6.5
Location: Braelor – 12 hours after the siege
Weather: Overcast. Heavy ash in the air.
World Focus: Watching… and preparing
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Opening Line:
No one cheered when I woke up.
No parade. No banners.
Just a cracked blade, a burned friend,
and the echo of my name in a voice that didn't belong to me anymore.
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Aftermath of the Siege
Braelor didn't rebuild.
It buried.
Thirty-seven dead. Twelve missing. No buildings untouched.
They lit quiet lanterns. Not in celebration — but confession.
Sakamoto didn't speak during the rites.
He just stood there, gripping Niris, who hadn't spoken since the fight.
One villager asked:
> "Are you the king now?"
He said nothing.
But when he walked away…
no one asked again.
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Eira's Pull
Eira sat alone.
Watching the frost settle on stone.
She heard her name whispered again — but not from outside.
From inside.
> "Aelira," it said.
"You were my light."
She shook.
> "I'm not her.
But why do I remember… being held like I was?"
She touched her own glyphs.
And one line pulsed the color of Sakamoto's mana.
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Niris's Evolution
That night, as the sky dimmed — Niris glowed again.
But this time it wasn't power.
It was pulse.
She didn't flicker like magic.
She breathed.
Sakamoto jumped.
> "Niris?"
> "I don't want to be your weapon anymore."
> "Then what?"
> "I want to be… your memory."
Her blade form cracked again — but didn't break.
A hilt now formed flesh and rune. Not metal.
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The Capital Reacts
Within the walls of Arkenvale, a mage bowed before the high table.
> "The Ash Crown refused the seal."
> "Then he's not one of us," a voice snarled.
> "Do we move?"
> "No," the Cardinal replied.
"We wait. Let him think he's free."
Behind them, a glass coffin began glowing.
And someone inside smiled.
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Final Scene – A Name Carved
Sakamoto wandered Braelor's edge.
Found a fallen barn.
Inside, burned into the wood, was a name.
One word.
"Aevum."
It was written by his own hand — but he'd never been here before.
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