Kaizen stood at the edge of the village, watching the forest beyond. The sun was setting, casting long shadows over the land. His mind was restless, his thoughts circling back to the meeting he had kept secret.
One week ago, he had ventured beyond the village under the cover of night. There, in the frozen wastelands, he had met a man cloaked in black. The man had not revealed his name, but his voice carried a strange authority. He had spoken of the shards of eternity, of fate, and of a coming storm. He had told Kaizen that the peace he found in the village was an illusion, that the past would come for him whether he wanted it or not.
Kaizen had listened, but he had told no one. Not Itsuro, not Aoi. He didn't know why, but something inside him had warned him to keep quiet. Maybe it was because he feared what the truth might mean. Maybe he was afraid of losing the peace he had found.
For seven days, he had tried to push the meeting from his mind. He had spent his days training, helping with village duties, and enjoying quiet moments with Aoi and Sakura. But deep down, a feeling of unease had settled in his gut, like a shadow waiting to consume the light.
It was a peaceful afternoon. The sky was bright, with only a few clouds drifting lazily. The village was alive with laughter and the sounds of daily life. Children played near the river, elders sat outside their homes, and the scent of fresh food filled the air.
Kaizen sat near a small wooden table with Itsuro, sharpening his blade. Itsuro leaned back against a post, chewing on a rice ball.
"You've been acting strange lately," Itsuro said, his eyes half-closed.
Kaizen didn't look up. "I've just had a lot on my mind."
"Hmph." Itsuro didn't press further. He had known Kaizen long enough to sense when he was hiding something, but he also knew that pushing too hard wouldn't get him an answer.
Aoi was nearby, hanging up freshly washed clothes. She glanced at Kaizen occasionally, sensing his quiet turmoil but choosing not to bring it up. She knew he would speak when he was ready.
Then, a small voice interrupted the peace.
"Kaizen! Itsuro! Aoi! Come look at this!"
It was Sakura. She stood in the middle of the village square, pointing up at the sky. Her eyes were wide with wonder.
Kaizen turned his gaze upward.
At first, he wasn't sure what he was looking at. Tiny specks filled the sky, like stars appearing in the middle of the day. They were moving, shimmering in the sunlight.
Itsuro frowned. "Stars? In the afternoon?"
Aoi wiped her hands on her apron and stepped forward. "That's strange. What could it be?"
Kaizen narrowed his eyes, his instincts suddenly screaming at him. Something was wrong.
Then, realization struck him like a hammer.
His eyes widened in horror.
Those weren't stars.
They were arrows.
"GET DOWN!" Kaizen roared.
In an instant, the peaceful village turned into chaos. The first wave of arrows rained down, striking roofs, barrels, and the ground. Villagers screamed as the air filled with the sharp whistle of deadly projectiles.
Kaizen grabbed Sakura and shielded her with his body as arrows slammed into the dirt around them. Itsuro rolled to the side, grabbing his sword. Aoi ducked behind a cart, eyes wide with fear.
The second wave came, setting houses ablaze. Fire erupted as arrows tipped with oil and cloth struck wooden structures, turning the village into an inferno.
Kaizen's heart pounded. This wasn't just an attack. It was a slaughter.
The High Monk had found them.
And he had brought war.
Kaizen didn't hesitate. He pushed Sakura toward Aoi. "Get to cover! Now!"
Aoi clutched Sakura tightly and ran toward the storage hut, one of the few stone buildings in the village.
Itsuro stood beside Kaizen, sword drawn. His face was grim. "They came faster than I thought."
Kaizen clenched his fists. "The traitor in the village must have told them where we were."
Before they could say another word, figures emerged from the forest.
Dozens of soldiers, clad in black and silver armor, poured into the village like a wave of death. They carried spears, swords, and bows. At their front was a tall man, his robes adorned with the golden insignia of the High Monk's elite warriors. His face was covered by a mask, but his presence alone radiated authority.
"They're here for me," Kaizen said, voice cold.
Itsuro scoffed. "Then let's give them a fight."
The first soldier lunged at Kaizen. He sidestepped, grabbed the man's arm, and drove his sword into his chest. The soldier let out a choked gasp before collapsing.
Itsuro engaged another group, his blade flashing as he weaved through them like a ghost. Blood sprayed as he cut down one after another.
Kaizen fought with deadly precision. He moved like a predator, slicing through armor and flesh with ease. The soldiers were skilled, but he was faster. He was stronger.
But more kept coming.
The village was burning, screams filling the air.
Women and children ran for cover. The elderly huddled together, praying for salvation.
Kaizen knew this wasn't a battle they could win. Not here. Not now.
Then, he heard it.
A deep, guttural voice.
Not from the soldiers. Not from the villagers.
From within him.
"Let me in."
Kaizen froze.
It had been two years since he last heard them.
The demons.
The voices inside him.
For two years, they had been silent. But now, in the middle of fire and blood, they were awake.
"Unleash us."
Kaizen gritted his teeth. He couldn't. He wouldn't.
But as he turned, he saw something that made his blood run cold.
Sakura.
A soldier had grabbed her. She screamed, struggling against his grip.
Aoi ran toward her, but another soldier blocked her path.
Kaizen's vision turned red.
He had sworn to protect them.
He had promised himself that he would never let harm come to them.
And yet—here they were.
Helpless.
Afraid.
Kaizen let out a breath.
Then, he closed his eyes.
And let go.
The world shifted. His body tensed. A dark energy pulsed through his veins, spreading like fire.
The soldier holding Sakura took a step back. He must have sensed it.
Then, Kaizen opened his eyes.
They were no longer human.
They glowed with a deep, unnatural crimson.
His body moved before his mind could stop it.
In a blur, he crossed the distance. The soldier barely had time to react before Kaizen's hand crushed his throat.
A sickening crunch echoed through the air.
Sakura fell to the ground, eyes wide in shock.
Kaizen turned, his body trembling with power. The soldiers around him hesitated. They had seen monsters before. But not like this.
Itsuro, covered in blood, stared at him.
"Kaizen…" he muttered.
Kaizen exhaled slowly. The air around him shimmered with dark energy.
The war had begun.
And he was done holding back.