Night settled quietly over Hoshino City.
The streets were still, the hum of traffic fading into a soft silence.
Inside his room, Akira sat on his bed, staring at the black object resting on the table. Its faint glow pulsed like a heartbeat — steady, alive.
Ren had already gone home, his parting words still echoing in Akira's head.
"Don't overthink it, man. Just sleep."
But Akira couldn't.
Something about that object gnawed at him — a feeling of being watched, of something breathing beneath its surface.
He rubbed his eyes.
The world seemed to shift.
---
The Shadow World – Oblivion Watches
Far away, in the dark expanse of the Shadow World, Oblivion, one of the Twelve Shadows, sat on his throne. Crimson energy pulsed beneath the black marble floor, lighting the hall in a dim, otherworldly glow.
He leaned forward, eyes fixed on the reflection of a boy — Akira — sitting quietly in his room, unaware of the eyes that watched him.
"So this… is the marked one," Oblivion murmured, disbelief and contempt mixed in his tone.
From the darkness, a figure appeared — Morvath, one of Oblivion's most feared subordinates. Six blades shimmered along his back, and his presence radiated lethal intent.
"Master Oblivion," Morvath said, kneeling. "The disturbance in the mortal realm… it comes from the marked one."
Oblivion's voice was low, sharp as ice.
"The marked one survives. Again…?"
Morvath bowed deeper.
"He escaped our grasp. Permit me to send shadows to verify—and eliminate him if necessary."
Oblivion's crimson eyes narrowed.
"You speak as if it is your decision. Remember your place, Morvath. You act under my command, not your will."
"Understood, master. I will not fail."
Oblivion leaned back, his voice calm yet absolute.
"Test him. Strike decisively. Fail me, and your existence will be forfeit. This is not a game of shadows—it is a test of fate."
Morvath grinned, a cruel edge to his expression.
"It will be done. He will know despair."
With a wave of his hand, Oblivion sent Morvath and six lesser shadows through the rift toward the mortal world.
The throne room fell silent. Oblivion whispered to himself:
"Let the Wheel turn… and let the world tremble."
---
Hoshino City – Akira's Room
The shadows beneath Akira's bed stirred. Eyes, dozens of them, glowed faint red.
He stumbled back.
"What… what is this?"
The shadows crept closer. Panic surged through him.
This… this can't be real… what do I do?
He ran to the door — only to see a tall figure waiting outside, cloaked in darkness, face hidden behind a cracked mask.
"Master said you are the trouble," the figure said.
Akira staggered. "Who… who are you?"
"A pity creature. You should not exist," the shadow replied.
Before Akira could react, the figure moved faster than sight. Its kick sent him crashing into the wall.
"Help! Someone—!"
No one answered. The world around him had turned gray and silent.
The shadow raised a weapon — a blade of pure void.
"This ends now."
Before it could strike, a blinding light erupted.
All the shadows, including Morvath, screamed as their forms disintegrated.
---
The Space Between Worlds – Ryozen Appears
Morvath and the lesser shadows now found themselves in a vast white void — silent, infinite, and calm.
Across from them stood Ryozen. The black object floated lightly in his hand.
"So this is what you sent," Ryozen said quietly. "You really don't learn."
Morvath hissed.
"Who are you?"
Ryozen's golden eyes gleamed faintly.
"No one important. Then… learn what death truly is."
Morvath vanished, reappearing at lightning speed, blades raining down like a storm.
Ryozen moved like flowing water, dodging with serene precision.
The final strike tore through him — only for him to vanish.
Morvath froze.
"What—?"
Ryozen reappeared behind him, sighing softly.
"What a mess… I should erase this one."
He pressed his palm to the void beneath them. Golden sigils erupted in an immense circle.
"Let's end this. Wheel of Samsara: Cycle's End."
Chains of radiant light wrapped around Morvath, shattering his six blades. Black flames surged as his body twisted grotesquely, skull-like horns erupting from his head.
"You think you can erase me?! I am despair itself!"
Ryozen's golden eyes glimmered.
"Then let despair return to the void it crawled from."
The Wheel spun, consuming Morvath and the lesser shadows in blinding brilliance. Their screams faded into silence.
Ryozen stood alone, the Wheel vanishing beneath his feet.
"If you seek to erase his path… then I shall be the one to stop you."
The void trembled, then stilled.
Far beyond, Oblivion's eyes snapped open.