We have to do something.
But… what are we supposed to do?
Suddenly, one of the elders rose and slowly walked toward them.
Why is he walking toward us?
The man stepped through the fog, his face finally visible. He stopped just a few feet away.
"Who are you?!" Hakari demanded. "What did you do to this place?"
"My name is Alba Arias," the man said calmly. "I am not your enemy."
"Not our enemy?" Kage snapped. "Look around you! This village is ruined. The people are gone—and you expect us to believe you're innocent?"
"It wasn't me," Alba replied softly. "Let me show you what I saw."
He lowered his voice.
"Dominio Ilusión."
The air rippled.
A glowing haze spread across the ruins, and slowly, the broken village transformed. Children laughed as they ran through open fields. Families talked and smiled. Life returned. Peace bloomed.
Hakari whispered, "Is this… another illusion?"
"No," Alba said. "This is how it used to be."
He pointed ahead.
"Those four children playing there… Rudy, Miguel, Mona, and Rose. My children. And that woman beside them—my wife, Luuna."
Hakari hesitated. "Then… why would you destroy your own family?"
"I wouldn't," Alba replied. "That's why I need you to understand."
He walked through the illusion, gesturing as he spoke.
"That man was my best friend, Shiro. That old woman—my teacher, Sophia. The other, my adopted mother, Grasia. And him… my father, Val."
He paused.
"That boy over there annoyed me as a child. Later, he became like a brother—Ruse. The baker gave me free bread. The old granny who scolded me sometimes slipped me sweets."
Suddenly, the illusion twisted.
Screams rang out. Smoke rose. Fire swallowed the village.
"What's happening?!" Kage shouted. "Kid, watch out!"
Hakari lunged forward instinctively—but the child vanished. Just an illusion.
He stood frozen as the peaceful village collapsed into horror.
"These monsters…" Hakari whispered, horrified. "They killed everyone. But why?"
Kage turned sharply. "Then why are you still alive?"
"I tried to save them," Alba said. "But I didn't even know I had powers. When I saw my children and my wife die… I froze."
He looked down at his trembling hands.
"When it was my turn… my Command activated. Out of grief. Or instinct. I survived."
He laughed bitterly.
"What irony. My whole life—my happiness—it was all an illusion."
Hakari swallowed. "What… what did you do after that?"
"I gave them sorrow," Alba replied. "The same sorrow they gave me. I showed them their dead wives. Their children. Their regrets."
His eyes darkened.
"And when they cried… I killed them. One by one."
A long silence followed.
"But even then," Alba continued quietly, "I was dissatisfied."
"Then why are you here?" Hakari asked. "You had your revenge."
Alba's voice trembled. "Because this is where it began. And all I wanted then… was for it to end."
Tears welled in his eyes.
"Please," he said. "Kill me. My father once said a man would come and bring peace. I've waited long enough."
"We can't," Kage started. "We're not here to—"
"I'll do it."
Hakari's voice was heavy.
"I will grant you your final wish."
He paused.
"But before I do… who are those people under the tree?"
Alba sighed. "Come forth."
Four figures stepped out of the mist.
Hakari froze.
Luuna. Shiro. Grasia.
And… Alba's younger self.
"They're illusions?" Hakari whispered.
"Yes," Alba said. "They always were."
Hakari raised his sword.
As it fell, he saw everything Alba had seen—the joy, the loss, the sorrow.
And finally… release.
The blade struck.
As Alba's head touched the ground, the illusions faded. All but one.
Luuna stepped forward and smiled gently.
"Thank you, Hakari Shinzowa."
She vanished.
Silence followed.
"Is it over?" Kage asked quietly.
"Yes," Hakari replied. "It is."
"We must keep moving," Kage said. "If you want, we can still turn back. Nothing has changed."
Hakari's hands trembled.
"Nothing? I killed someone. He's dead. I couldn't save him. Everything has changed. We move forward."
"This village was always a mystery," Kage said softly. "Maybe he never wanted anyone to find it."
"Then why us?"
"I don't know. But you gave him peace, even though it broke you. You're a good man, Hakari."
They turned away.
Their next destination awaited.
The deadliest village in Koha.
The only place ever named—
Akuma.
They walked until the desert swallowed the horizon.
"Where is it?" Hakari muttered. "This is just sand."
"We must contin—"
Hakari collapsed.
"Hakari?!"
Kage rushed to him, splashing water on his face.
"I'm not okay," Hakari groaned. "I'm completely dehydrated."
"That's strange," Kage frowned. "You're never this weak."
Before Hakari could answer, Kage collapsed beside him.
"…You too?" Hakari muttered weakly.
Huh? Are you alright? Need some help?"
He smirked mockingly.
"Stop with the mockery. I understand now."
"So you do. In that case…"
He stood, breathing deeply.
"Kage, remember our training. The Hai-Key technique?"
"Yes."
"Then watch."
He whispered:
"Hai-Key Technique — to the surface of earth, to the edge of sky.
Command: Fly."
The sand shifted like waves.
The wind sang.
Hakari rose—no longer bound to the earth, nor reaching the sky.
Somewhere in between.
"Kage, use it!"
"I can't! I don't have a Command!"
"Hai-Key isn't only about Commands," Hakari said. "It's about channeling your stored energy. You've trained harder than anyone."
He smiled.
"I believe in you."
Kage clenched his fists.
"Hai-Key… Smash!"
The ground shattered.
The desert cracked open.
A village revealed itself beneath the sand.
"How did you know?" Kage asked, stunned.
"Just a guess."
They stepped forward.
The hidden village waited.
Their real challenges… had just begun.