SAI SHINU
I was on my knees as that man revealed the person for the execution.
He removed the white cloth and I saw it.
The face of— the face of my… mother.
I tried to move but I couldn't.
Please do something… PLEASE.
I was screaming inside me but nothing came out. She was almost unconscious and all those people here— they were just enjoying the show.
He put her head under the big blade.
Move… MOVE STAND UP YOU F*ED UP PIECE OF SHIT.
I tried to move my body but every small motion felt so heavy, like gravity itself was crushing me. I stared at them — all of them — these people enjoying the show while someone else's life came to its end.
I WON'T LET THAT HAPPEN.
I forced myself up, both feet on the ground.
He released the blade—
I jumped, my hand already on my sword.
No… I can't stop it. Even with Shadow Step I'll be too late.
There was only one thing left.
I whispered, "Astral Gate Act One."
The time itself seemed to slow as the blade froze midair.
When the dimension was set, I saw my mother lying on the floor.
I teleported next to her.
She was still breathing.
"Hey I'm here," I said calmly.
She was still breathing but didn't answer.
"After all these years you're in front of me… I can't lose you too," I said.
My voice trembled, tears rolling from my eyes to the ground.
My breathing became heavier and my chest felt like it was being crushed.
For a moment, I collapsed, trying to control it.
I didn't know why that was happening. Maybe it was the overuse of Astral Gate.
I was lying there, fighting for breath, until I heard something.
A voice. Her voice.
I immediately stood up as she said,
"Sai is that you? Where are we? Why is everything so dark?"
"Yes I'm your son. I'm here with you," I said, tears still running.
My voice echoed across this vast universe.
"So… this is how my story is supposed to end?" she said calmly.
"No… no I can't let this happen again. Not… not you this time.
I can't save anyone," I screamed my lungs out.
"I just— I can't. Even now with my powers… I just can't save anyone.
Not Dad, and not you either. I'm the cause of all this.
I am the reason I am alone," I said, tormented and hurt.
A silence followed. Memories of my parents flooded my mind.
"I'm sorry. I didn't want this. I swear, I never wanted it to be me," I said, pain dripping from every word.
"But it is you. The one I brought into this world… now you became the one to lead me out of it," she said, staring directly at my eyes.
It felt like an ocean inside my heart burst through my eyes.
"I have heard that once the heart gets too heavy with pain, in the end people don't cry. In reality they just turn silent… completely silent," I said, my body heavier with every breath.
"So tell me. What else I got to go through to stop crying.
Stop being weak. I hate crying… I just don't want to cry anymore."
I stared into her eyes.
"If I get through hell… will I be immune to crying?
Or will I just be an emotionless being?
Why does it have to be me to take your life?"
She moved her hand, placed it on my cheek, and whispered,
"This is life. One day a person can be born and another person can be killed."