Chapter 4 – The Unfinished Oath
"Sometimes, the battle isn't with your enemy…
It's with the voice inside your own head.
And when that voice goes silent…
You know something has broken."
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Scene 1 – Frozen Steps in the Snow
Aura stood alone.
Snow covered the ground like a pale shroud.
The wind howled around him—but he couldn't hear it.
Everything felt… still.
Like time itself had decided to stop.
The blue mark on his hand still glowed faintly.
But his heart?
It wasn't beating the same way anymore.
(Inner Thought)
"I promised myself…
I wouldn't be weak.
But every time I try to move forward…
It feels like I'm breaking again."
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Scene 2 – Uno's Truth
Uno appeared from behind him.
His steps were slow, heavy—like he already knew
that whatever he was about to say
would change Aura forever.
Uno (softly):
"Sometimes, running from fear
is the worst kind of betrayal.
Not just to yourself…
but to me, too."
Aura lifted his head.
His eyes were wet, but his face was sharp—solid.
Aura:
"Then teach me.
Teach me how to fight… myself."
Uno reached into his pocket
and pulled out a folded piece of paper.
It trembled slightly in his hand.
It was the same paper Aura's mother had left behind.
Her last message.
Her last… promise.
Uno:
"This is the oath.
The one your parents never finished.
Now it's your turn."
Aura's fingers shook as he took the paper.
The words were blurred, almost faded into nothing.
Like he'd have to lose himself just to read them.
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Scene 3 – The Shadow's Bargain
As soon as Aura whispered the oath,
the air around him shifted.
Colors faded, the wind paused.
And then—
a voice came from somewhere else.
Not loud.
But deep enough to carve into his chest.
??? (from another realm):
"If you're really honest about this…
then give me your soul.
Or step back.
There's no in-between."
Aura closed his eyes.
Inside, everything was clear.
(Inner Monologue)
"If I step back now…
I'll stay incomplete.
Forever."
He opened his palm.
The blue mark burned hotter—
as if his hand was inside fire itself.
Aura (whispering but firm):
"Take whatever you need.
But finish this oath.
I won't die unfinished."
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Scene 4 – A Friend's Fear
Shoho stood at a distance, watching everything.
His hands clenched, but his heart trembled.
Shoho (whispering to himself):
"Where is he going?
How far will he go just for this?
For friendship…
Is it worth losing yourself?"
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Scene 5 – The Pain of New Power
Suddenly, Aura's body jolted—
like lightning had ripped through his veins.
Dark lines formed beneath his eyes.
The mark on his hand wasn't just a line anymore—
it had spread into his bloodstream.
Shadow veins.
Crawling through him.
His whole body shook.
Blood slipped from the corner of his lips.
But he… laughed.
Aura (wiping the blood from his mouth):
"Let's see who tries to stop me now.
This time…
Not even I will."
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Scene 6 – The Villain's Signal
Far away, standing at the peak of a black mountain,
the masked man watched.
Beside him, his black crow perched silently.
Its eyes gleamed.
Masked Villain (soft whisper):
"The prey just walked into the trap.
Now it's only a matter of time."
The crow blinked.
And somewhere in the dark sky—
another scream echoed.
But this time, it wasn't Aura's.
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Scene 7 – The Price of an Unfinished Oath
There was no door left in front of Aura.
No trial.
No turning back.
Only a path—
straight into the shadows.
And he walked forward.
Without hesitation.
Without fear.
(Inner Monologue)
"Whatever happens next…
I can't stop it now.
And maybe no one else can, either."
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End of Chapter 4 – The Unfinished Oath
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Next Chapter:
Chapter 5 – Ashes and Rebirth
(Where Aura will break… and be reborn into something else.)
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