Hakari: We have to do something!
Kage: But what are we supposed to do?
Suddenly, one of the elders rises and slowly walks toward them.
Hakari: Why is he walking toward us?
The man steps through the fog—his face now visible. He stands just a few feet away from them.
Kage: Who are you?! What are you doing this?
Elder: My name is Alba Arias. I'm not your enemy.
Hakari (angrily): Not our enemy? Look around you! This village is ruined. The people—gone. And you're telling us you're innocent?
Alba (calmly): It wasn't me. Let me show you what I saw... (softly) Dominio Ilusión.
The air around them ripples. A glowing haze surrounds the ruins—and slowly, a different village begins to appear. Children laugh, playing in the fields. Families smile. Life. Peace.
Hakari (whispering): Is this… another illusion?
Alba (quietly): No. This is how it used to be. Look… those four children playing over there? They were my kids—Rudy, Miguel, Mona, and Rose. That woman smiling beside them… was my wife, Luuna.
Hakari (hesitant): Then… why would you destroy your own family?
Alba: I wouldn't. That's why I want you to understand.
Alba begins walking through the illusion, pointing as he speaks.
Alba: That man was my best friend, Shiro. That old woman, my teacher Sophia. The other? My adopted mother, Grasia. And him—my father, Val.
(pauses)
That guy over there? He annoyed me as a kid. Always rude. But later, he became like a brother—Ruse. The baker? He used to give me free bread. The old granny who scolded me? She sometimes gave me sweets too.
The illusion suddenly shifts. Screams echo. Smoke. Fire.
Hakari: What's happening?! Kid, watch out!
Hakari leaps forward instinctively—but the child vanishes. Just an illusion.
He looks around, stunned, as the peaceful village crumbles before their eyes.
Hakari (horrified): These monsters… they killed everyone. But why?
Kage (quietly): Then why are you still alive?
Alba: I tried to save them. But I didn't even know I had powers. When I saw them die—my children, my wife—I just froze. Then, when it was my turn… something happened.
(He looks down at his hands)
My Command activated. I think… out of grief, or instinct. And I survived. But what irony—my whole life, my happiness—it was also all just an illusion.
Hakari (softly): What did you do after?
Alba (with rage): I gave them sorrow. The same sorrow they gave me. I showed them their dead wives, their children, their regrets. And as they cried—I killed them. One by one.
(pauses)
But I was still… dissatisfied.
Hakari: Then why are you here? You had your revenge.
Kage (quietly): I think I know… This is the same place I once stood in. And all I wanted then… was for it to end.
Alba (eyes filled with tears): Yes. I want you to kill me. Please. My father used to say—a man will come and bring peace. I've waited long enough.
Kage: We can't. We're not here to—
Hakari: I'll do it.
(He speaks with a heavy heart.)
I will grant your final wish.
Hakari (quietly): But before I do… who are those people under the tree?
Alba (sighs): Come forth.
Four figures step out from the mist. Hakari freezes.
His wife. His best friend. His mother. And… his younger self.
Hakari (voice trembling): …They're illusions.
Alba (nodding): Yes. They always were.
Hakari raises his sword. As he strikes, he sees everything Alba saw—the joy, the loss, the sorrow. And finally, release.
The blade falls.
As Alba's head hits the ground, the illusions begin to fade. One remains a moment longer—Luuna, Alba's wife.
She steps forward and smiles.
Luuna: Thank you, Hakari Shinzowa.
She vanishes.
Silence.
Kage: Is it over?
Hakari (in a depressed voice): Yes… it is.
Kage (calmly): We must keep moving, Hakari. But if you want—we can still turn back. Nothing has changed. We can go back.
Hakari: Nothing, you say? (trembling) I… I killed someone. He's dead. (voice cracking with sadness) I couldn't save him. Everything has changed. We have to continue.
Kage (gently): It wasn't your fault. This village was always a mystery. No one ever found it—what we heard were just stories. Maybe… maybe he never wanted anyone to come.
Hakari: Then why us?
Kage: I don't know. Maybe we'll never know. But does that change the fact that you helped him? That you gave him peace, even though it tore you apart? You're a good man, Hakari. A kind one.
Now hurry. We must go.
Our next destination… it won't be easy.
Hakari: Yes… I know.
The deadly village in Koha.
The only place ever named… Akuma.
Hakari got up, controlling his emotions. Both of them moved forward toward their next destination —
a village known for broad daylight killings. They had to prepare themselves.
Kage: "We've walked too much. Where is the village? This is a desert — I don't see any village here."
Hakari: "We must contin—"
Before Hakari could finish his sentence, he collapsed to the ground, unconscious.
Kage: "Hakari?!"
Kage quickly splashed water on his face.
Kage: "What happened? Are you alright?"
Hakari: "I'm not, Kage…"
Kage: "Ah... yeah. Sorry."
Hakari: "I'm totally dehydrated. I don't think I can walk anymore."
Kage: "That's weird. I don't remember you ever being... this weak."
Hakari: "I don't understand it myself. I think…"
Before he could finish, Kage collapsed too.
Hakari: "Huh? Are you alright? Need some help?"
He smirked mockingly.
Kage: "Stop with the mockery. I understand now."
Hakari: "So you do. In that case…"
He spoke gently,
"You remember our training, Kage? About the Hai-Key technique?"
Kage: "Yes, I do."
Hakari: "Then I must demonstrate it. Hai-Key Technique — to the surface of earth, to the edge of sky…
Command: Fly."
Suddenly, the sand began to shift — like it was dancing.
The wind began to whirl — like it was singing.
Kage watched, stunned.
Hakari was no longer bound to the earth,
nor reaching for the sky —
he was somewhere in between.
Hakari: "Kage, use it!"
Kage: "But I can't! I can't use Commands like you!"
Hakari: "Kage, listen — Hai-Key isn't just about using Commands.
It's also about channeling your stored energy — for attack, speed, agility.
You've trained harder than anyone.
I believe in you more than anyone.
Now do it!"
Kage: "Hai-Key… Earth Smash!"
With that, the surface around Kage began to tremble.
His fists pounded the ground, again and again—
Hakari: "Don't stop, Kage!"
Kage: "Da-da-da-da-dadadada—!!"
The desert cracked.
The layer broke.
The village revealed itself, hidden beneath.
Kage: "How did you know, Hakari?"
Hakari: "Just a guess."
They stepped forward.
The village inside the desert waited.
Their real challenges… had just begun.