"Ren! Please!" Seijuro shouted, staring at what had once been his brother, his voice cracking with despair as tears streamed down his face.
The creature that had replaced Ren lunged at him, snapping its jaws. All Seijuro could do was push it back, desperate for a sign that his brother was still inside. Ren's small toy had fallen to the floor beside him,
"Ren…" His voice wavered, full of defeat. He closed his eyes, ready to give up, when suddenly the crushing weight lifted off his back,
"My, my… seems like you've been in quite a struggle," a woman's voice said.
Seijuro snapped his eyes open. A woman stood before him, staring with large red eyes. She wore a white cloak over matching pants and top, black sandals, and a belt cinched at her waist. Her light skin glowed under the torchlight, her lips bright red, her smile deceptively sweet. She was around 5'6" and appeared to be in her mid-twenties. One hand gripped a spear; the other held Ren,
"Wait! Don't hurt him!" Seijuro panicked.
The woman tilted her head, confused by his outburst,
"He's my brother… please…" Seijuro fell to his knees, tears streaming, "He's seven… just a kid… it wasn't his fault…" His sobs broke the sentence in half,
"Oh, I see… how unfortunate," the woman said in a calm, almost soothing tone. "This thing is no longer your brother, but I can reassure you he won't feel any pain once I disperse his soul."
Seijuro's eyes widened. His sobs intensified. Spotting a rock on the floor, he hurled it at her face in a desperate act. But before it could reach her, an arrow pierced the rock. Sharp pain lanced through his right shoulder, and he fell to his left side, blood trickling down.
A child stood a few meters away, holding a bow and arrow. He looked no older than twelve, about 4'10", with black hair and pale skin. His uniform mirrored the woman's, but his top and pants were dark blue. A bandage wrapped around his eyes, yet the arrow stayed aimed straight at Seijuro,
How is he doing that? He can't even see…
"Quiet," the boy said, voice flat and emotionless,
"Now now, Koji-san… no need to be harsh," the woman giggled, her sweet smile returning instantly.
Ren still squirmed in her grip. Seijuro tried to rise, but the boy's strength pinned him to the floor,
How is this child overpowering me? I feel so helpless… Ren… please come back…
"What's your name, little brother?" the woman asked softly,
"Seijuro… just help my brother… please… take me instead if it will help… just leave him," he begged.
The woman glanced at her partner, Koji, whose expression remained unreadable. Despite his blindness, he seemed to understand her perfectly. In a cold tone, he said one word,
"Disagree."
"Maybe… Kenji-san could do something," she suggested, trying to sway him, her red eyes sparkling,
"Plea…" Seijuro began, but Koji struck the side of his bow against Seijuro's head. His vision blurred; he couldn't move,
"Doubtful," Koji replied,
"You really don't say much, do you, Koji-san?" the woman giggled,
"Unfunny," Koji muttered,
"I do wonder how these boys even managed to enter here. Only people who possess high levels of dark matter manipulation can access this area," she added,
Dark matter… what is even happening… Ren… I wish I listened to you…
Seijuro's eyes finally closed. He clutched Ren's small toy as he slipped out of consciousness, the last thing he heard was her voice: We take them both.
Seijuro's eyes opened slowly. His head throbbed from Koji's strike. He tried to move, but chains bound his arms in opposite directions, forcing him to remain on his knees. Around him, gold torches flickered in a circular room, similar to the one he had been in before,
"You are finally awake, Seijuro," a voice said. From a door emerged eight more figures surrounding him,
"I see you already met Lisa and Koji," a man said, glaring at Seijuro with purple eyes. Seijuro noted Koji's blank stare and Lisa's warm, seemingly innocent smile,
"I am Kenji," the man continued, "and the people surrounding you are Captains. Sadly, we are bound to protect even idiots like you, who stick their noses where they shouldn't." His voice rose slightly,
"We are here to decide your fate. The deeds you've committed… the plague you've unleashed upon the people… let's just say death is mercy for what's to come."
"Why are we even waiting?! Kill him!" shouted a man to Seijuro's right,
"Now now, Yuto-san, let's not be too hasty," Lisa said calmly,
"Kenji's father lost his life trying to seal those undead bastards! As Kenji said… death is mercy. My point is justified!"
"Yuto is correct," said the woman with the flower in her hair. "But to say one death for the rest is justice… that isn't what we do."
Kenji looked to Ivan, a towering man with long black hair and a thick beard, resting his axe on his shoulder, "The boy didn't know, but that does not excuse his actions. He should face punishment… but not death," Ivan said,
"I agree with Ivan-san!" Lisa exclaimed, "Whatever he says… I follow."
Seijuro's eyes darted around at the Captains. A man in shades sat silently in a wheelchair, observing,
"Frank, you are quiet," Kenji said,
"I'm just… thinking," Frank replied, eyes still fixed on Seijuro.
Seijuro's panic boiled over, "My brother… where is he? You sit here like I'm some animal! Who do you think you are?! Why didn't you send more people to stop them?!" he shouted.
A kunai flew toward his forehead, stopping just short,
It stopped… how is that even possible?
"And just who gave you permission to speak, brat?" Yuto demanded harshly,
"Control yourself, Yuto," Ivan said.
The kunai returned to Yuto's hand. Seijuro watched in disbelief. Kenji tossed a sword in front of him. On its hilt, Ren's toy was attached,
"Your brother," Kenji stated. Seijuro's eyes widened in shock and horror, "W-what do you mean?!"
"I condensed your brother into a weapon, rather than a mindless beast."
Seijuro's tears streamed freely,
Condensed?! Ren… I'm a failure as a brother…
"Condensed… does that mean he's…"
"No… his physical body is gone, but his soul remains," Kenji said coldly.
Seijuro spun toward the others. "Why do you all speak like this is normal?! My brother is gone and you act like it's an ordinary day! You're sick, you sons of bitches! Any of you… answer me… what is going on?!"
"Listen, kid. We know what you're going through is hard, but your brother… is only the beginning," Kenji said, slightly sympathetic. Lisa gave him a pleading look; Ivan nodded,
"I'm going to offer you a choice…" Kenji continued. Seijuro's ears perked up,
"We will teach you everything we know… or at least try to. You will train and thrive no matter how hard it may be… or… we kill you right here."
Seijuro's gaze fell to the sword and Ren's toy. Memories of Ren looking to him for help surged through his mind,
Maybe this way, I can change him back…
He sniffled, then straightened his posture, meeting Kenji's gaze. "I'll do it."
"Then it's decided. Captain Frank will train you," Kenji said, smirking slightly,
"This meeting is over. Everyone, return to your positions." The others exited, Yuto the only one clearly displeased.
Lisa stepped forward, placing a hand on Seijuro's shoulder, "There, there… it's alright, young Seijuro-san. Your brother's spirit still lives in this sword. He is alive."
She struck down his bonds with her spear, freeing him. Frank rolled forward in his wheelchair. "I assume you have many questions, young Seijuro. I hope you understand what you've agreed to." He lowered his shades, studying the boy. Seijuro nodded,
"Then let's get moving, young Seijuro," Frank said enthusiastically, pushing toward the door.
Seijuro picked up the sword, his brother's soul resting within and gently touched the blade. He reached for Ren's toy, holding it softly in his hand. Confidence surged through him as he stood. A new path lay ahead, and he was ready to walk it.