After everyone had taken a break and sipped from Korol's drinks, the old man stood up and cast a deep gaze at Kaito and the others.
"Since your knowledge of this world's brutal system is limited..." Korol began in a serious tone, "allow me to explain a few things. Although our world lost its order long ago, the rule of survival of the fittest still prevails."
He pointed outside, where darkness surrounded the deserted city. "As you have seen, every monster attacks those weaker than it, and refrains from approaching those who surpass it in strength."
He paused, then said slowly, "The measure of strength in this world... is the Spiritual Rift."
A faint whisper rose among the girls as Korole continued, "Every being, whether human, monster, or hybrid, bears one or more clefts. These clefts appear on the body or face… and they are not mere markings. Each cleft is linked to a memory, or a deep-seated pain… as you saw in those deformed monsters."
He was silent for a moment, then turned his gaze to Kaito.
"You… boy. Stand."
Kaito stood hesitantly, his eyes avoiding the others.
"Can you do what I did in battle?" Korole asked.
Kaito took a deep breath, then muttered, "I'll try…"
In an instant, his eyes went completely black, except for their glowing silver pupils.
Six black slits emerged from his eyes, three on each side, creeping up his cheeks as if pulsing with another being.
Everyone froze. Tsuki covered her mouth in shock, and Hana muttered, "That's why... the monsters fled upon seeing him..."
Hairu Shin swallowed as he whispered, "He's... not like us."
Korole continued to study Kaito with eyes filled with a mixture of respect and fear, then said in a low voice, "A spiritual rift is measured either by the number of rifts or their size. The more numerous, the greater the power. The wider the rift, the greater the power... What this boy holds... is not normal."
At that moment, Minamoto was sitting in the shadows, silently watching Kaito, his eyes sharp and filled with battle... as if something inside him was being torn apart at the sight of him.
After the atmosphere inside the village calmed down, everyone busied themselves with something to relieve the fatigue of the long journey and struggle.
Taiko and Hiro Shin sat under the shade of an old tree, succumbing to the weight of their eyelids, allowing their bodies to rest, even if just a little. Minamoto, however, preferred to avoid the noise, walking slowly through the narrow alleys, as if his eyes were searching for something he couldn't name.
On the other side, Tsuki, Hana, and Saya were helping Kurole's wife arrange some simple utensils. Their laughter permeated the quiet, giving the village a long-missed touch of warmth.
But amidst this atmosphere, Kaito remained different.
Something mysterious inside him refused to let him rest like the others. His eyes continued to follow Kurole's steps, as if his body was being driven against his will.
As if Kurole sensed this, he suddenly stopped and turned to him, a deep look in his eyes, a look like that of eyes that knew more than they could say. Then he said in a calm voice, "Come with me, Kaito."
Kaito found himself walking behind him. The path was narrow, flanked by dark trees dotted with faint lights, until they reached a luminous pond outside the village limits. The water there shimmered as if it held thousands of stars, their light dancing gently on the surface.
Korole stood in front of the pond, silent for a moment, then said:
"There's something in your eyes... that reminds me of a past that hasn't disappeared yet."
Kaito froze, then the words came out with difficulty:
"Do... I know you before?"
Korole gave a quiet, yet meaningful, smile:
"You seem to have lost your memories... Don't you remember anything?"
Kaito lowered his head, clenched his fists nervously, then muttered:
"No... I don't want to remember. I don't know why, but... I don't want to."
Korole approached with slow steps, then extended his hand, gently placing it on Kaito's head. For a moment, Kaito felt a strange warmth, as if something was stirring deep within him. "Even if you remember... know that none of this was your fault," Kurul said in a reassuring voice.
Kaito's eyes suddenly widened, and a dark wall shook inside him.
He saw a blurry image... He was holding someone's hand, warm, reassuring, offering a comfort he'd never known before. His heart pounded, and he almost called out a name, but... the image quickly faded, leaving a painful emptiness.
Kaito took a step back, placing his hand on his chest, breathing rapidly.
Kuruul still looked at him calmly, as if he knew more than he was letting on.
The sound of the wind drifted softly through the trees, and the pond continued to glow, witnessing a moment that might be the beginning of the truth being revealed.
End of Chapter