Night fell peacefully.
Raiken lay on his futon, the room dim and quiet. His eyes drifted shut.
Then they snapped open.
THUMP-THUMP.
That feeling again… the one I felt in that house for a moment.
He sat up abruptly. The air had changed. The temperature dropped. The weight in his chest grew heavy and familiar.
The same as at the Terra house.
He looked toward the door.
It's here.
He moved fast, opening a drawer and pulling out a small stone. It shimmered slightly.
He crossed the room, steps soft. The stone hidden in his hand trembled faintly.
I checked everything after the mission. How is it here?
He reached the door.
His fingers shook.
I've never shaken like this before…
Knock. Knock.
The sound shattered the silence.
Raiken's eyes widened. But he stood tall.
I must fight.
The door creaked open on its own. Darkness spilled in. A silhouette stood there—sharp, strange, smiling.
The Terra.
Spiky yellow hair with red tips. Manic grin. Tattered clothes. Eyes filled with twisted excitement.
"Ooh, finally! Been looking for the last of you. Time to finish the job."
The smile grew wider.
"So… is your son around?"
Raiken froze. Partially lit by the door's glow, he spoke:
"…How did you find me?"
The Terra tilted its head like a child.
"From the house, obviously. Thought you'd figured that out."
Kazuki stepped into view from the hallway, rubbing his eyes.
"Hey, Father… what's going on? Who's thi—"
Raiken spun.
"Kazuki!"
He threw the stone—fast, desperate.
"Remember what I always told you—"
"Be strong. Always!"
The Terra's eyes widened. "Ka…zu…ki?"
Kazuki caught the stone. It glinted.
BOOOOM!
Light exploded. White energy spiraled around Kazuki. He floated, magic wrapping around him like armor.
Raiken shielded his face. The Terra stepped back.
That night… everything changed.
Light blasted through the house, through windows and cracks.
My world… ended.
And a new one began.
Kazuki's silhouette faded into the light
END OF CHAPTER