Chapter 15: Hakio's Truth
Arc:DX kingdom
Inside the cave, silence prevailed, but outside, the wind carried an unusual restlessness. Bokuro's senses kept warning him — someone was approaching fast. Kitsui and Nensudo gripped their scripts tightly, and Yusugo, calm as ever, stepped towards the cave entrance.
Suddenly, a shadow appeared. The sound of hurried footsteps echoed through the cave, and everyone became alert. The man halted at the cave's entrance, his eyes burning with fury.
"I am a soldier from the Kingdom of DX," he declared loudly. Then, hatred flared in his eyes.
"In truth, I am a secret agent of Kazan Kaga! And today, I have come to kill you all!"
Bokuro stepped forward, but Yusugo raised his hand, signaling him to stop.
At that moment, Rokuhei moved like lightning. Chains of iron shot out from his script and bound the man tightly. Struggling, the man fell to the ground. Yusugo used his power to seal the man's script.
"Who are you?" Yusugo thundered.
Trembling, the man replied, "M-my name is Hakio. Kazan Kaga threatened to kill my family if I didn't work for him — my wife, my children. I had no choice."
The cave fell silent. Bokuro's face hardened, his fists clenched. He slowly walked towards Hakio, untying his rope, and said, "You were forced... I understand. But I promise — I will kill Kazan Kaga. For your family... and for everyone else he's wronged."
Tears welled up in Hakio's eyes. He fell, trembling, at Bokuro's feet.
"You don't understand... it's not just me. Hundreds of people from the DX Kingdom have bowed to Kazan Kaga's threats. He has incited us against the king, spread rebellion. He wants to overthrow the monarchy and crown himself king!"
Hearing this, rage flared in Kitsui and Nensudo's eyes. Kitsui gripped his sword tighter, and Nensudo closed his script, taking a deep breath.
Bokuro knelt beside Hakio and said firmly, "Every sin of Kazan will now be exposed. And I will be the one to end him."
Hakio broke down, sobbing. His voice was broken, yet there was a spark of hope in it.
"If you really fight… then maybe people like us can be freed..."
The cave once again fell into silence, but within that silence, Bokuro's vow echoed loud and clear.
The Echo of War
After listening to Hakio, Yusugo closed his eyes, deeply assessing the situation.
"Kazan Kaga doesn't just want the Book of Enlightenment," Yusugo said in a grave tone. "He wants to consume the entire DX Kingdom. If the king is killed, the whole nation will collapse."
Yusugo immediately summoned the three warriors of Team Kaji — Takeo, Shin, and Mira.
"You three must go to the king at once. Tell him that Kazan's conspiracy has been uncovered. His life is in danger and he could be assassinated at any moment. You must protect him and take him to a safe place."
All three bowed in unison. Takeo declared firmly, "We will risk our lives to defend the king."
Then they swiftly left the cave, their footsteps echoing behind them.
Yusugo then turned to Bokuro, Kitsui, and Nensudo. His eyes no longer held the calmness of a mentor — now, they were the eyes of a commander.
"Your task is to stop Kazan's generals who are deceiving people and poisoning their hearts."
He pointed towards the Book of Enlightenment kept safely inside the cave.
"This book will remain safe here, but if Kazan succeeds, both wisdom and power will fall into darkness."
Bokuro clenched his fist. His breathing grew heavier.
"We won't stop. We will face every general walking Kazan's path. And I will bring Kazan to justice for his crimes."
Kitsui raised his sword high. His voice burned with fire.
"We are not just the words of books — we are the voice of hearts."
Nensudo smiled, closing his script. "Then let's begin this war."
Once again, the cave fell silent, but everyone knew this was the silence before the storm. Outside, the sky darkened, thunder rumbled.
Hakio still sat on the ground, fear and hope dancing in his eyes.
He asked Bokuro, "Will you really fight Kazan Kaga?"
Bokuro looked at him and nodded.
"You fought against your fear — now it's our turn."
Yusugo called everyone closer. "We must prepare quickly. Kazan's generals have likely already started the rebellion. The battle will be fought on two fronts — one to protect the king and the other to safeguard the Book of Enlightenment."
Rokuhei tightened his chains. "Then let's go. No one can stop us now."
Bokuro walked over to the Book of Enlightenment and placed his hand on it. The book glowed faintly in the dim light. He made a vow to the book, "I won't let you fall into darkness."
Suddenly, lightning flashed across the sky — a signal that Kazan Kaga's forces were drawing near. Hakio, shivering, said, "Kazan's next move will be blood and fire. His generals will slaughter the innocent and bring down the palace."
Yusugo's voice turned steely. "Get ready. This battle is no longer about books — it is a fight for the justice in every heart."
Bokuro opened his script, Kitsui unsheathed his sword, and Nensudo filled his script with fresh energy. The three warriors were now prepared for war.
Outside the cave, the black clouds swirled like flames in the sky. The wind carried an eerie hiss. It was the sign of Kazan Kaga's approaching darkness.
Bokuro stood tall beside the Book of Enlightenment and took a vow:
"From today, we fight not for our strength, but for all those Kazan has trampled. This war will be their revenge."
And in that cave, silence fell once more. But now, they all knew — by the next dawn, everything would change.