Kanji Yuzuki walked in silence beside Akari through the forest that separated them from the border with the highlands.
The woman in the black cloak had become an unexpected ally, but distrust still hung between them like a persistent shadow. Mao, as always, wasn't helping.
Mao (mocking):
"She's clever, Yuzuki. But don't confuse intelligence with loyalty. There's something about this woman we still don't know."
Yuzuki didn't respond but observed her.
Akari was agile, her movements almost imperceptible among the trees.
Still, there was something in her eyes — a weight, an untold story, that he was beginning to perceive.
They arrived at an ancient, abandoned sanctuary.
The moss-covered stones and worn inscriptions indicated that this place had once been of great importance, but now it was merely a forgotten ruin.
Akari gestured for them to stop there.
Akari (serene):
"We need to talk, Yuzuki. There are things you need to know before we move forward."
Yuzuki (distrustful):
"If there's something to be said, say it now. I don't have time for riddles."
Akari sighed deeply and sat on a stone.
Her eyes searched his, and she began to speak.
Akari:
"I am not who you think I am.
My full name is Akari Kanehara... and I am the daughter of Kané, the master of blades from the Alcali Clan."
Yuzuki stood still for a moment.
The name Kané was known even outside of Kugutsu Island.
He had been one of the greatest warriors of the Alcali Clan before mysteriously disappearing. His fame was accompanied by tales of betrayals and tragedies.
Yuzuki (furrowing his brow):
"Kané? The traitor of the Alcali Clan? They say he sold his honor for power and fled to the Pangeia continent, siding with the Leper King."
Akari (calm but firm):
"The stories you've heard were written by the clan. My father didn't betray anyone.
He was betrayed.
The three major families of the Alcali Clan made a pact with the King of Kugutsu, offering innocent lives from the island in exchange for power — including my mother.
She wasn't of pure clan blood.
It was when my father turned against them.
My parents died in the end... as villains."
The revelation left Yuzuki uneasy.
He knew well the cruelty of the King of Kugutsu — the same one who had destroyed his own family.
The fates seemed to intertwine in ways he still didn't understand.
Akari (continuing):
"I grew up believing my father was a monster, until I discovered the truth.
Since then, I've dedicated my life to ending the Alcali Clan and exposing their crimes.
But for that... I need your help, Yuzuki."
Mao (in an ironic tone):
"A lovely story. But who's to say it isn't a lie to manipulate you?"
Yuzuki ignored Mao's comment, but the doubt remained.
He knew trusting someone so suddenly was dangerous, but he also felt the sincerity in Akari's voice.
Dark Connections
As Akari spoke, Kanji Yuzuki began to connect the dots.
The actions of the King of Kugutsu and the clans, the deaths of his own family, and now Akari's revelations pointed to something larger: a web of dark alliances and demonic pacts that sustained the King's dominion over the island.
Yuzuki (thoughtful):
"My family... They were also victims of the King of Kugutsu.
Killed as offerings for the Kugutsu he controls."
Akari remained silent for a moment, understanding the depth of the hatred that now united them.
Akari (determined):
"Then you understand.
We can't defeat him alone.
But together... maybe we can bring justice to our families."
Before Yuzuki could respond, the air around them grew heavy.
A suffocating silence fell over the sanctuary.
The cold didn't come from the weather, but from the presence that was approaching, creeping like poison along the old walls.
From the shadows, hooded figures emerged, their weapons gleaming with a supernatural shine.
No words were spoken.
Yuzuki (drawing his blade):
"More hunters?"
Akari (clenching her fists, eyes fixed):
"No... These are assassins from the Alcali Clan. They've come for me."
Fury and Scars
The attack was instant.
Fast, cruel, without warning.
Yuzuki and Akari moved like cornered predators — every strike exchanged with the invaders was a dance between death and fury.
The darkness around Yuzuki took form, shaped by Mao.
Akari, with fluid and lethal movements, seemed like a living memory of Kané's technique.
But the advantage was illusory.
The assassins were many. Well-trained. Calculating.
In the midst of the battle, one of them approached with a smile, eyes gleaming with scorn.
Assassin (whispering into Yuzuki's ear):
"You can't escape, traitor.
The King knows where you are.
Everyone on the island carries a control seal.
You Kanehara... have always been flesh for the altar."
(Turning to Akari):
"And you... you're still alive only because the King had mercy.
Your expulsion was the only decent thing they ever did for you."
Yuzuki stared at the man.
Without saying a word, he opened his shirt.
Where the seal should have been, there was only raw, torn flesh.
He had ripped the seal out with a knife, along with the cursed symbol.
Yuzuki (screaming with insane fury):
"I TORE OUT THE CONTROL WITH MY OWN HANDS!
TELL YOUR KING: I'LL TEAR HIS FLESH FROM THE BONE!"
The assassin didn't reply.
But the smile... stayed.
Yuzuki knew.
That was only the beginning.
Echo of Vengeance
The bodies lay on the ground.
The sanctuary, once a place of spiritual silence, now reeked of death.
Yuzuki and Akari, panting, were covered in blood — some their own, some others'.
Their breathing was heavy.
But the fire in their eyes... had not dimmed.
Yuzuki (not taking his eyes off the wreckage):
"If the King is behind this... he won't stop until he wipes out everything we are."
(pause)
"We'll finish what we started. Together."
Akari (with a subtle smile, tired eyes):
"So... you trust me now?"
Yuzuki (looking away at the bodies):
"Trust is earned..."
(looking at her)
"But for now... we have a common enemy."
The sun began to rise on the horizon.
But its light brought no warmth.
It was only the herald of more blood.
They left.
Not for redemption.
But for vengeance.