Night had fallen over Yokohama, but the tension in the air hadn't diminished. After the confrontation at the Takasugi Archives, Akihiko and Kaede were in an adjacent room, assessing the damage and processing the intruder's warning.
"The Tree will reclaim what's its own," Kaede murmured, mentally reviewing the enemy's words. "It sounds more like a prophecy than a direct threat."
"Prophecies are nothing more than threats in disguise," Akihiko replied, his tone dry but thoughtful. "What worries me is how he gained access to such advanced power. Those shadows aren't something just anyone can control."
Kaede watched him for a moment, squinting as if trying to decipher him. "Your void power... I've never seen anything like it. It's almost as if space itself bends to your will."
Akihiko simply nodded, sidestepping the comment. "The important thing now is to ensure the files haven't been compromised. I need to know everything we have on the Lux Aeterna and previous attempts to control it."
Kaede sighed and took a seat at a low table. "That might take some time. In the meantime, there's something you need to know. My clan isn't the only one that keeps records about the Tree. There are others... and not all of them are in Japan."
Akihiko raised an eyebrow, interested. "Are you saying I should broaden my search?"
Kaede nodded slowly. "If this enemy is as interested in the Tree as they seem, they're likely already searching for those other records. And if they can gather enough information, they might find a way to manipulate the Lux Aeterna."
The Story of Shadows
Hideo entered the room at that moment, holding a tray of teacups. "Forgive the interruption," he said as he poured, "but perhaps you should consider the possibility that this intruder isn't acting alone. There are rumors of a group calling themselves the Heirs of Shadows."
Kaede frowned. "I've heard of them, but I thought they were a myth."
"They're not," Hideo replied seriously. "They're an ancient group, made up of individuals who believe the Tree of Eden should be returned to its original state: free of all human influence. If that intruder was one of them, this is just beginning."
Akihiko leaned back slightly, processing the information. "So, we're not only dealing with mafias seeking the Tree's power, but also fanatics who want to destroy it."
"Exactly," Hideo said. "And if the Inheritors are on the move, they could be attracting others like them. People who have been touched by the Tree's power and now consider it a curse."
Kaede sipped a cup of tea, thoughtful. "This means we have to move quickly. But before you go, Akihiko, there's something I want to show you."
The Legacy of the Takasugi
Kaede led Akihiko to a hidden room deep within the residence. It was a small, dark space, illuminated only by the dim light of a torch. In the center of the room was a pedestal, and on it, an object Akihiko hadn't expected to see: a small, dry branch, twisted and dark as ebony.
"Is that...?" he began to ask, but Kaede nodded before he could finish.
"It's a branch from the Tree of Eden," he confirmed. "My clan obtained it generations ago, during one of the bloodiest wars in history. This branch doesn't have the same power as the Tree itself, but it's capable of amplifying the abilities of whoever wields it."
Akihiko approached, feeling a strange energy emanating from the branch. "Why are you showing me this?"
"Because I want you to understand what you're up against," Kaede replied. "If the Heirs or any other faction pulls off something like this, there'll be no stopping them. We need to protect this at all costs."
Akihiko nodded, aware of the gravity of the situation. "I'll do whatever it takes. But I also need answers. If the Tree of Eden has so much power, why does it exist in the first place? Is it simply an accident of nature, or is there something more behind its origin?"
Kaede stared at him, her eyes shining with a mixture of fear and respect. "That's something even the most ancient records can't answer. But one thing is certain: anything capable of granting such power has never brought anything but destruction."
A New Path
As Akihiko returned to his room to prepare his next move, he felt the weight of expectations weighing down on him. He had promised to protect his clan and fulfill his duty, but every step he took toward the Tree made him question whether he was ready for what was coming.
"There's no room for the weak," he repeated to himself, remembering Renji's words.
At that moment, his communicator vibrated. It was a coded message from one of his informants in Europe. "Movement detected in Berlin. Possible connection to the Heirs of the Shadows."
Akihiko gripped the device tightly. His next destination was clear, and the path to Lux Aeterna only grew more dangerous. But if he wanted to understand the true scope of the Tree of Eden and protect what mattered to him, there was no room for doubt.
With his katana ready and his resolve renewed, Akihiko stepped into the darkness, knowing that his every action would be crucial in the battle for the fate of the Tree.