Chapter 43:The Birth of Pride
Morning sunlight spilled over the quiet village, glinting off the calm surface of Lake Beck. The night's festival had ended, leaving only traces of laughter and burnt wood in the air.
Near the lake, Kuro was lying flat on a wooden bench, his cloak covering half his face. His hair was messy, and his sword leaned casually beside him.
A faint groan escaped him as he stretched.
> Kuro: "Ugh… mornings are the real enemy of man."
Yuta stood nearby, already equipped and ready, his new determination glowing in his eyes.
> Yuta: "You said we'd start early."
Kuro (yawning): "I said we'd start… not when we'd start."
Kuro finally got up, brushing dust from his coat. His lazy eyes scanned the horizon, then drifted toward Yuta's father, Kael, and Captain Elara, who were watching from a distance.
> Kael: "If you've chosen this path, Yuta, then walk it without regret."
Yuta: "I will, Father. I'll come back stronger than ever."
The two exchanged a nod — a warrior's farewell.
Beside the lake, the serpent emerged, its massive body glimmering with light. The villagers stepped back in awe as the creature lowered its head before Yuta.
> Sith (deep voice): "You have freed me from my curse, human. From now on, my fangs and scales are yours to command."
Yuta (smiling): "Then from this day, you'll be known as Sith. My partner."
The villagers bowed their heads in gratitude. The serpent let out a low, soothing hum — a sound that carried both farewell and promise — before Yuta lifted his hand and unsummoned it in a brilliant flash of blue light.
Turning around, Yuta saw Synoh waiting at the path's end, leaning casually with a faint grin.
> Synoh: "So, it's really goodbye."
Yuta: "Yeah… for now."
Synoh: "You sure about this? Following a man like Kuro isn't the same as following a captain."
Yuta (grinning): "I know. But I'm not the same either."
He took a step closer, his voice rising with pride.
> Yuta: "Wait for me, Synoh. You and Lux both. I'm gonna beat you two and prove I'm the strongest!"
Synoh chuckled softly, crossing his arms.
> Synoh: "Heh. I'll be waiting."
Yuta turned, walking toward Kuro, who was already half asleep while standing.
> Kuro (muttering): "Youth… so loud in the morning."
As Yuta approached, Kuro opened one eye, scanning him briefly.
> Kuro: "You know, when I first saw you, I thought you'd fit the sin of Greed. Always chasing strength, always hungry for more."
Yuta (confused): "Greed? Then… why not give me that one?"
Kuro smirked, finally standing upright, his tone suddenly calm — almost reverent.
> Kuro: "Because I was wrong."
Yuta: "Huh?"
Kuro: "You don't crave strength for yourself. You crave it because you can't stand being beneath anyone. You want to stand above, to prove your worth to the world."
He stepped closer, his shadow stretching over Yuta.
> Kuro (smiling faintly): "That's not Greed, boy. That's Pride."
The wind rippled through the trees as those words sank in. Yuta's heart pounded — not from fear, but from something deeper.
> Kuro: "Welcome, Yuta… to the rebirth of the Seven Deadly Sins. From this day, you are Pride."
Kuro turned lazily toward the road leading north.
> Kuro: "Now come on. We've got six more to find — and I'm too tired to walk far today."
Yuta smirked, following behind as the villagers, Elara, and Synoh watched in silence.
Two silhouettes walked away from the lake — the slothful master and his proud new disciple — their path already echoing with destiny.