The sound of the cave roared in their ears as Yushi and Weller ran toward the noise. But with every step forward, the darkness grew thicker—an ominous void pulling them deeper.
"Weller, what is happening? Is this another trick of the cave?" Yushi shouted, his breath ragged.
Weller's expression darkened, tension flashing in his eyes. "Yushi… how much do you really know about me?"
Yushi blinked, confused. "What kind of question is that? And why does it matter now?"
But Weller's tone had changed—sharp, monotone, almost cold. "Answer me."
Shocked, Yushi stumbled at his friend's sudden shift. "I've known you for five years. I thought of you as my best friend!"
The cave pulled at them, dragging their bodies deeper into its suffocating maw. Yet Weller suddenly stopped. The darkness no longer touched him. Instead, he reached out, seizing Yushi and holding him tightly.
"Do you know who I really am?" Weller whispered.
Yushi's heart pounded. "Weller, I know you're frustrated. So am I. But now isn't the time. We'll talk later."
"Later?" Weller gave a sorrowful smile, his voice breaking. "There is no later…"
The shadows halted around him, powerless. Standing firm, Weller's voice rang out, heavy with grief. "I am not who you think I am, Yushi. I am from the most powerful clan… the Doerwall Clan. I… am the prince of Doer."
Yushi's eyes widened. "You… you're the prince? Weller, what are you saying? And why does it matter now?"
Weller's eyes dimmed with sorrow. His voice trembled. "Because my father is a monster. The monster who destroyed my mother's life."
---
Weller's voice drifted into memory.
"My mother was a princess, adored by the people of Doer. My grandfather, the king, cherished her deeply. She was loved… and she was loved by another as well—the Warlord of War, Waren.
They loved each other in secret. But one night, my grandfather discovered them together. His sword was drawn, his fury unmatched. Yet instead of execution, Waren was spared—but exiled.
My mother cried, powerless to stop it. Soon after, she was forced into marriage with a man rumored to be ruthless… a man who had destroyed wives before her. She resisted, she begged, but she was trapped.
And yet… the rumors were wrong. That man treated her kindly, like a true queen. She finally found peace.
Until one night…"
---
Weller's fists clenched, his eyes burning.
"The winds were brutal, the night suffocating. My stepfather was away hunting. Alone in her chambers, my mother heard a knock.
When she opened the door, a hooded man entered. He lowered his hood… it was Waren.
'Waren! Why are you here?' she asked, terrified.
He only whispered, 'Why am I here? Because you are mine.'
My mother begged him to leave. She told him she was married. She warned him. She screamed… but he silenced her, tore away her dignity, and left her in despair.
And I… I was born from that night."
---
The cave trembled with Weller's fury. His voice grew harsh, echoing through the shadows.
"That monster… that so-called Warlord. He left my mother broken. And I, cursed with his blood, was born with a gift I never asked for.
All my life I searched for him. And then, when I came to Doer's gang… I met you, Yushi. It was then I learned: the man who calls himself Warlord still lives.
He lives in Akuma Village. And now…"
Weller's eyes turned blood-red, his rage boiling over.
"…Now I know the truth. And I swear—I will kill that bastard!"
On the other side, Hakari and Kage's challenges hadn't ended yet
Kage's voice trembled as he glanced at the trembling walls around them.
"H-Hakari… how are you pulling this cave inside? And why?"
Hakari stood firm, his expression calm despite the crushing darkness.
"I am not able to pull any cave. But this one… the Cave of Mura, it's nothing but an illusion. That is why I can pull it inside. In fact, by doing so, I am breaking the illusion itself."
Kage let out a heavy sigh of relief. "Ufff… so you mean to say, it's finally over? We can leave?"
But Hakari's face hardened. His voice turned grim.
"No. I can't do any more. I've already used seventy percent of my energy. And the one controlling this illusion… they have ten times more than that."
Kage's relief shattered, his chest tightening. Hakari continued, his tone calm yet heavy with finality.
"But I can open a small gate of exit. Only for a second. You must leave, Kage."
Kage's eyes widened. He shook his head violently. "No! Not at all! You're my brother. I can't leave you here, Hakari!"
Hakari's gaze softened, a bittersweet smile forming. "I know, I do. And that's why you must leave… for your brother. Fulfill his wish. Grant him what he wanted."
Kage's eyes turned watery, his fists clenched. "But I… I can't. I'm not strong enough, Hakari. I can't leave my little brother behind!"
Hakari's smile deepened, though his body shook with exhaustion. "No one is asking you to abandon me. Heck, I oppose that. But listen, Kage… instead, you can go and return with help. Go to the Koha Force. They must know. They have to know."
Kage's tears streamed freely down his cheeks. His voice cracked. "But I—"
"—Kage." Hakari's tone grew desperate for the first time. His hand trembled as he reached forward. "Or should I say… my big brother. Please. Please leave."
And with those words, Hakari forced open a glowing rift in the air—a gate that flickered like fire. Before Kage could protest again, Hakari shoved him through with all the strength he had left.
"HAKARI!"
Kage's cry echoed, but the gate swallowed him whole.
---
The next moment, Kage opened his eyes. His body hit sand. The heat of the desert seared his skin, and the vast emptiness spread endlessly around him.
He clenched his fists, his tears drying into salt under the scorching sun.
"I will come back for you, Hakari. I swear… I promise."
The winds howled, carrying his vow into the horizon.
Kage stumbled through the burning desert sands, his throat dry, his vision blurred by heat. The endless horizon stretched before him, but in his heart, only one thought echoed—Hakari is still inside… Hakari is still fighting.
Every step forward was heavy, but the promise he made moments ago burned inside him like a second sun.
Meanwhile, deep within the Cave of Mura, Hakari stood alone against the consuming shadows. his breath ragged, yet his eyes never wavered. The entity looming before him spread its cloak wider, swallowing every trace of light.
"Run, struggle, despair—it changes nothing," the voice sneered. "You cannot defeat an illusion born from eternity itself."
Hakari smirked, blood staining his teeth.
"Maybe not… but I can stall you. And that's all I need."
The shadows trembled. Chains lashed forward. Light and darkness clashed again, shaking the cavern like a storm.
The secrets have been revealed… or have they?
The challenges have begun… or have they?
They must seek the truth, before the truth consumes them.
And remember—War is coming.
---