The Wheel of Samsara glowed with an ethereal light, its runes spinning around Masahiro Kurogane. He struggled against the invisible chains, but they held firm, suspending him in midair. The air was thick, charged with centuries of latent power.
Ryozen stepped closer, his gaze sharp.
"Masahiro Kurogane," he said firmly, "tell me everything — about these Shadows, the mark, and the bloodline that carries both. Don't leave anything out."
Masahiro's gaze softened, a distant pain flickering across his features.
"So… the world remembers the fallen," he murmured. "Very well. You deserve to know the truth."
The void around them darkened, fragments of memory flickering like dying stars. Whispers of past battles and lost souls echoed faintly.
"Long ago, my comrades and I were the Twelve Blades of Dawn, sworn to protect humanity. But Azrion's corruption seeped into our hearts. One by one, they fell, twisted into monsters. They became the Shadows you face now. Listen carefully, for each has a name and a story."
Masahiro raised his hand, and the air shimmered, revealing each Shadow:
"Noroi — corrupted by misfortune — became Hex, the Shadow of Curse.
His very presence spreads ill fate wherever he treads."
"Kurokawa — driven by insatiable hunger — turned into Avarice, the Shadow of Greed.
Nothing could ever satisfy him."
"Zangetsu — once a brother in arms, consumed by rage — became Inferno, the Shadow of Wrath.
Flames follow his anger."
"Akujin — who thrived on cruelty — became Dread, the Shadow of Terror and Pain.
Fear clings to him like a second skin."
"Shinku — who loved the fight too much — was twisted into Malice, the Shadow of Blood.
Pain is his delight."
"Hakanai — once elusive and mysterious — became Shade, the Shadow of Fading.
He strikes unseen and disappears without warning."
"Mugen — whose mind was easily lost to chaos — became Vortex, the Shadow of Madness.
Logic bends wherever he treads."
"Gyakushin — who betrayed too easily — turned into Venom, the Shadow of Betrayal.
Trust is a weapon in his hands."
"Fuketsu — who despaired too easily — became Ruin, the Shadow of Despair.
He saps hope from those near him."
"Yami-no-Kami — master of deception — was twisted into Eclipse, the Shadow of Deceit.
Reality itself bends at his command."
"Shin'en — who delved too deeply into darkness — became Eclipseus, the Shadow of Abyss.
Unpredictable, consuming everything in his path."
"Kurayami — the last to fall — who forgot all else and consumed all memories — became Oblivion, the Shadow of Forgetting.
His presence erases the past itself."
Masahiro's eyes glimmered with sorrow.
"They were my brothers… my comrades… lost to darkness. I alone resisted. To prevent them from destroying the world, I sealed them, binding part of my soul into the bloodline of my descendants. That is why the mark exists, and why it has awakened in Akira."
Ryozen leaned closer.
"So all of them are tied to Azrion… but Akira's bloodline is the key?"
Masahiro nodded slowly.
"Yes. The boy carries my essence. The Shadows' cage weakens with him, and if he fails… all twelve will rise again."
Ryozen's tone sharpened.
"And his father? Did he not survive the first stirrings?"
Masahiro's voice grew heavy with grief.
"He knew what was coming. When the first fragment tried to manifest, he sacrificed himself. That is why the boy's mark stayed dormant… until now."
A faint tremor ran through the void. Yamitsurugi, resting nearby, shimmered with subtle energy. Sparks of light flickered along the hilt.
"The torch… is about to be passed. I have lived to see this day. Now… I can step aside."
---
In Akira's room, the boy writhed as his mark burned violently. Shadows on the walls twisted toward him, drawn to the pulsing energy.
Ryozen sensed it instantly.
"The mark… it's awakening."
He sprinted toward the house, but the ground beneath him dissolved into a violet-black void. He stumbled forward, assaulted by the darkness.
Before him stood Kaelzar, Morvath's vengeful brother.
Kaelzar radiated menace: jagged dark armor coiled with shadowy tendrils, violet eyes glowing like molten crystals. His cloak floated independently, and his hands held shadow scythes and a dark sword pulsating with liquid shadow.
"I've waited so long to avenge my brother Morvath. Today, I end this," he snarled.
Kaelzar lunged with Shadowrend Blade, slicing streaks of violet-black energy through the void.
Ryozen countered immediately with Wheel of Samsara, golden energy erupting in spinning rings. Shockwaves tore across the void as arcs of golden light collided with jagged black energy. Sparks flew, debris torn apart.
Kaelzar slammed his scythe into the ground, unleashing Vortex of Malice. Tornado-like spirals of shadow twisted around Ryozen, bending the void and sending debris spinning. Simultaneously, he invoked Curse of Vengeance, jagged shadow spears darting in all directions.
Ryozen's Six-Armed Asura Form manifested, golden limbs spinning like living storms. Each strike deflected every attack; each sweep shredded shadowed spikes, leaving shockwaves rippling outward. The void itself quaked under their power.
Kaelzar's eyes blazed violet.
"What are you thinking about that little brat? My shadows have already moved to finish him!"
Ryozen's expression hardened. The golden Asura arms spun faster, a blur of energy, countering every strike Kaelzar unleashed. He absorbed the fury, redirected the force, and shattered the vortex into fragments of dark light.
Kaelzar unleashed Eclipse Fang, a jagged strike of dark energy so massive it warped the void itself. Lightning-like arcs of golden energy shot from Ryozen's arms, colliding in a violent explosion. Smoke, sparks, and debris filled the space as the two powers clashed.
Finally, Ryozen's Asura arms pinned Kaelzar midair. With a surge of golden force, Kaelzar's attacks shattered completely, leaving him defeated and panting.
---
Back in Akira's room, shadows had surrounded him, one raising a scythe to strike.
Suddenly, a mysterious force enveloped the room. Akira screamed as the mark pulsed through his hand, spreading black energy up his arm.
Yamitsurugi manifested as a black gemstone pendant, violet veins glowing. It merged with his hand, and the room quaked violently.
Akira's eyes opened — completely black.
He moved, striking with a single, fluid motion. Shadows erupted into flames and smoke, all incinerated… except one. It tried Void Strike, but Yamitsurugi pierced its head, sending energy waves that cracked the floor.
Ryozen arrived, whispering,
"No… this is bad."
Akira, out of control, advanced on him. With a single hand, Ryozen restrained him. Slowly, Akira's eyes returned to normal, and Yamitsurugi reverted to the pendant, faintly glowing.
Far away, Oblivion watched. His eyes blazed violet with fury. Suddenly, he saw a figure — Ren.
"Ren…" he hissed, voice low and menacing.
His fists clenched, and the shadows around him shivered. The awakening of Akira had not gone unnoticed.
The game had only just begun.