Ibaki dug a grave and lowered Minao's body into it.
The evening dragged on slowly, the horizon bathed in a muted orange glow. Pikur lay unconscious, oblivious to the weight of what had transpired.
—Who are the Omeraje? —Ibaki asked, his eyes fixed on the freshly turned earth.
Dakur, seated beside his fainted disciple, paused for a moment. Pikur had shown courage, but he was far from Ibaki's strength. Even Dakur had to admit the young man outmatched him.
—The Omeraje are a vast family of assassins —he said at last, his voice low and heavy—. They span the world. Their skills are fueled by cursed energy.
—Are they strong?
—Very. Minao was one of them, but far from their most powerful. Among their ranks are warriors who could match a Supreme Guardian.
Ibaki crouched, picked up Minao's sword, and raised it against the dimming light.
—This sword… is it what gave him his power?
—Exactly —Dakur replied, rising to his feet—. No one knows who forged the cursed weapons, but they grant an ordinary human power beyond the natural.
—And if I chose to use it?
—You know cursed energy and divine energy cannot coexist. Although… —Dakur left the thought hanging.
—Although what?
—If you could balance the two, you might reach unimaginable power. But I've never seen it done. That's why Guardians carry weapons of our own forging.
—Then I'll sell it. I'm sure it'll fetch a fine price —Ibaki gave a half-smile, tinged with greed.
—I thought money wasn't your concern —Dakur said with a faint smile.
—You're joking. Everyone needs money.
—You're like everyone else.
Dakur's expression hardened.
—Listen, boy. When the Omeraje learn of Minao's death, they'll send someone stronger for your head.
Ibaki secured the sword across his back and drew a deep breath.
—Let them come. I'll be waiting.
—Don't take this lightly. The enemy is strong.
—I know… but I have a plan.
He turned to leave.
—Give Pikur my regards when he wakes.
—Leaving so soon?
—Yes. But first, I need to know something.
—I'll answer if I can.
—Is it true what they say about the death of the Tenchi clan?
—Be specific.
—My father's death… and the death of them all.
Dakur hesitated, then walked over to a pile of dry branches and began gathering them.
—As far as I know, your father prevented a war by wiping out his own clan, because they sought to awaken the Beasts of Destruction. But later… he sought that very power himself. What he swore to destroy ended up consuming him.
He straightened with the branches in his arms.
—That was when Lord Nefros had no choice but to stop him. Your father was too strong; it took the combined strength of the Supreme Guardians to bring him down.
—So you believe that twisted story too…
—What do you mean?
—Centuries ago, the Beasts of Destruction fought alongside the Arkanos to wipe out humanity. Their power was so overwhelming that even the Supreme Guardians couldn't stop them—until one of their number attained divine power and took control of the beasts, turning them against the Arkanos.
—And where did you hear that?
—That Guardian was of the Tenchi clan —Ibaki continued, ignoring the question—. He awakened the Okun'Ifa eye power… and with it, mastered the beasts.
He took a few steps, as if the weight of the tale pressed against his voice.
—In time, that power became uncontrollable. The Supreme had no choice but to seal the beasts in a fractured dimension. Think of it as an onion—layer upon layer. They cannot escape unless the keys are gathered: the Ten Divine Scrolls… and a bearer of the Okun'Ifa.
—Who told you all this? —Dakur pressed.
—It's no surprise you don't know. The nations chose to hide it. But now there are those who seek to release them… and their goal is to rule the world. Leading that mission is Lord Nefros, alongside the Silver Union.
With a sharp snap of his fingers, Dakur lit the fire. The starless night seemed to grow heavier with each word.
—Sounds like paranoia, boy.
Ibaki reached into his pocket and produced a long, slender object—about twelve centimeters—a metallic spike.
—I've never heard that version before —Dakur said, lowering himself to sit again—. Don't mistake me, I know of the beasts and the Tenchi plan, but—
—I know you work for Lord Nefros. Why didn't you kill me when you had the chance?
—You've found me out —Dakur smiled, narrowing his eyes—. I owed your father. He saved my people. I was simply returning the favor.
—But you did intend to kill me?
—Yes —he smiled again—. Though not by my own hand.
—Of course… you preferred to tell the king of Zinaria, who sent an Omeraje.
—You're imagining things.
—You know I could awaken the beasts. And if Lord Nefros knows that only the Tenchi can… why would he want to wipe us out?
—You're a boy who doesn't understand how the world works —Dakur said calmly, stirring the fire—. And those who try to change it end up dead. Messiahs always die.
—Answer me! —Ibaki's voice rose.
—I don't know… —Dakur said—and then moved sharply.
Fshhh! He lunged, but Ibaki had already charged the strange spike with energy. The projectile cut through the air—Swish!
A solid impact. Thok! The spike embedded itself in Dakur's forehead. His body toppled sideways, hitting the earth with a dull thud.
The fire crackled a moment longer… and the night swallowed the silence.