Before the Storm — Chapter 8
Renji still lingered in the bath, submerged in water that had long since lost the warmth of night, as though trying to lull his body into a frozen slumber. His muscles were numb, yet his mind blazed, torn apart by sleepless storms. Then, without warning, the world around him shattered into dust, and he was cast into an endless, blinding white void.
There, in the midst of emptiness, a figure emerged.
Figure that he wouldn't expect to appear.
Kaede.
Or rather… something that wore his shape. Not his true friend, but a shadow, a specter forged by the necklace. A likeness faithful to the eye, but stripped of its soul.
Renji trembled, fury surging within him like a river breaking its dam. It was Kaede, and yet it wasn't. The face was familiar, yet the eyes were red-cold, veiled in secrets and a darkness that carried unspoken warnings.
— "Why… why his form?!" he roared, voice laced with rage and grief.
"Is it some kind of joke for you?!" he added quickly.
The phantom Kaede did not move, but the voice of the necklace resounded directly in Renji's mind—heavy, merciless, like the echo of ancient judgments:
— " Those questions don't matter now. You are simply not ready to bear the truth."
— "Lies!" Renji bellowed, his throat trembling with anger. "I've had enough of your deceit! Kaizen opened my eyes, showed me what demons are, what shadows lurk in this world! And you? What have you done? Nothing! You slammed the doors shut, forbade me from listening, from learning from him! Why?!"
The shadow of Kaede remained still, yet the presence of the necklace pressed upon Renji's heart like an iron weight.
— "I sought to protect you. Truth is no gift—it is a burden, and not every soul can endure it."
— "Protect me?!" Renji let out a bitter laugh, though fury burned in his eyes. "What kind of protection strangles me with lies?! Why do you no longer flare when I stand near Kaizen or the imperials? At first, you burned with fire around them now… nothing! Dead silence! And one more thing…" His voice sharpened like the edge of a blade. "Who killed me in the forest? Why do you still hide it from me?!"
Silence.
Unyielding, crushing, heavier than the darkest truth. Kaede stared at him with eyes so cold they burned. Every second of that silence struck like a nail driven into his soul.
— "I will not be your pawn any longer!" Renji's voice thundered through the void. "Tell me why you hide, why you lie, while Kaizen truly makes me stronger! Speak!"
The shadow of Kaede just smiled softly."You are such a fool." Then after that he was silent just watching every move of Renji, studying his face and his body.
— "Why do you stay silent?! Answer me!!!" Renji shouted out loudly.
The abyss yawned beneath him, endless and cold, a void that tore at his body with a storm of freezing winds. And within that darkness, the voice of the necklace thundered, vast and wrathful, like the decree of gods:
— "Beware what you demand, Renji… truth always exacts a price. And you are not yet ready to pay it."
A chill, sharp as death, pierced his very core.
Renji jolted awake, gasping for breath. His eyes snapped open. The bathwater, cold as a tomb, enveloped him, while the echo of the dream still quaked in his chest. Instinct drove him toward the chair. With trembling fingers he reached for his trousers, thrust a hand into the pocket, It was there. The necklace. Cold, lifeless, yet heavy, as though the weight of the world itself slept within its metal.
Through clenched teeth, Renji whispered words that sounded more like a curse than a question:
— "Threats… a price… Kaizen… And why did you take Kaede's form? What are you hiding from me…?"
Afterward, Renji pulled on his pants and left the bath, still shivering from the icy water. His hair was wet, sticking to his forehead, and his mind struggled to recover from the troubling dream. Miyu was already in the kitchen, preparing food, and when she saw him, she giggled:
— "Seriously, Renji… you fell asleep in the bath?" she laughed, amused.
— "…Looks like I did," he sighed, frowning, though he couldn't hide a short smile.
— "Well then, let's eat before everything gets cold," Miyu said with a soft laugh.
The two sat at the table. The smell of warm food calmed Renji a little, but his thoughts kept returning to the dream: the necklace taking Kaede's form, its silence about the demons, and the contrast between the truth Kaizen had given him and what the necklace withheld.
— "So… nothing's changed in the necklace?" he murmured between bites, not expecting an answer, but still feeling its heavy, silent presence in his mind.
Miyu looked at him curiously but asked nothing more, letting him finish his meal in peace.
After eating, Renji put aside his armor and headed into the yard. He had planned his day: a few hours of individual training, checking his swords at the smith, and preparing for the evening meeting at the tavern.
In the yard, he practiced sword techniques, cutting the air with precision and focus, trying to clear his mind of the fury and confusion left by the dream. Every movement was calculated, every breath controlled. And yet, the image of Kaede's form would not leave his thoughts.
After training, Renji paused and checked the necklace again, feeling the weight of its silence. "Why does it keep quiet?" he muttered through clenched teeth, clenching his fist.
Later, he headed to the blacksmith to check the materials for the sword he wanted. The discussion was focused on technical details: length, weight, balance, and maneuverability. Renji felt that every detail mattered, that his preparation, both physical and mental, had to be as sharp as the blade he would wield. He took careful notes, writing down every observation and recommendation from the smith to forget nothing. After ensuring he had all the necessary information, he closed his notebook, thanked the smith, and made his way home.
Once back, he climbed onto the roof, watching the sun sink toward the horizon. Shadows stretched across the houses and city, and the evening air carried a subtle tension, a blend of calm and expectation. Renji felt the day was not yet finished with its truths, but for now, all he could do was breathe deeply and prepare for what was to come. He didn't know exactly what kind of people the imperials were, but their presence, and Kaizen's, filled him with growing unease. The sun sank slowly, painting the sky in shades of orange and red.
From the yard, Renji noticed two figures approaching: Sensei and Airi. As soon as he spotted them, he descended from the roof, surprised:
— "You weren't supposed to come here," he said, his voice calm but firm. "Kaizen said an imperial would escort all of us to the tavern. They were supposed to pick us up one by one, then we'd go together… but… it's fine that you came anyway."
Airi shrugged, a bit embarrassed, while Sensei gave a guilty smile.
— "Honestly, we didn't know," Airi replied. "We thought it'd be simpler to come together, especially since we don't even know which tavern it is."
Renji sighed softly, trying to set aside the worry that had gnawed at him for hours.
— "Alright, no problem," he said, more relaxed.
After a short pause, he looked at Sensei with a serious expression:
— "Anyway, no sign of Kaede. I couldn't invite him."
Sensei explained calmly:
— "Kaede was at training but left shortly after… He probably wasn't feeling well and is resting now."
Renji stayed quiet for a moment, watching the last rays of the sun set the sky ablaze in shades of orange and red. The evening air carried an apparent calm, yet the tension was still there, subtle, like an echo of what was to come.
— "You know, Airi… you look really beautiful in the sunset light," he said softly. "There's something in your gaze, a calmness… that matches perfectly with this evening."
Airi turned her gaze away, surprised, her cheeks flushing slightly.
— "I… thank you," she murmured, embarrassed, looking down. "I didn't expect you to say that…"
Sensei, noticing her reaction, couldn't resist smiling and making a joke:
— "Ah, I see the sunset light has side effects… blushing cheeks and unexpected compliments," he chuckled, making a playful gesture.
Airi giggled softly, still a bit shy, and took a deep breath:
— "Well… I think I'd better go… find Miyu," she said, looking toward the house. With light steps, she headed toward Renji's door, leaving him and Sensei to watch the last light of the sun fade behind her.
After Airi went inside, Renji and Sensei followed, leaving the evening chill behind. The interior of the house was warm and welcoming, the gentle light of lanterns casting trembling shadows on the walls. Renji and Miyu led their guests to the table and poured each of them tea, the soft herbal scent bringing a temporary sense of calm.
The words flowed slowly, the conversation drifting from trivial details to lighthearted jokes, until the silence of the evening was broken by a firm knock at the door.
Renji rose and went to the entrance, feeling a small surge of tension. He opened the door, and there stood Hikaru, Kaizen's right hand.
— "Renji, greetings," Hikaru said, giving a brief glance at everyone inside. "Kaizen and the other imperials are already at the tavern. You'd better hurry if you don't want to miss the start," he added, his voice calm yet authoritative.
After a few moments of quick preparation, Renji and the others rose from the table and left the house.
On the way to the tavern, the atmosphere was thick with anticipation. Moonlight slipped between buildings, casting long shadows across the city streets. Every step seemed to amplify the tension: Renji felt the imagined eyes of imperials at every corner, and the cold night air made the wait heavier. Sensei appeared relaxed, but his eyes tracked every movement, as though expecting the unexpected. Behind Renji, Airi and Miyu walked together, a little nervous. Airi clasped her hands, her gaze darting from shadow to shadow with a shiver of both anticipation and curiosity. Miyu, though trying to appear calm and confident, felt her heartbeat quicken, her cheeks warming with subtle tension. Both were aware that what awaited them at the tavern was no simple event, their emotions tangled between unease and curiosity.
When they finally reached the tavern, the large wooden door opened, and they stepped inside. Warm light and the murmur of voices filled the room. The imperials were already there, seated at the table, while Kaizen greeted them with a subtle smile.
Renji felt the tension in his chest grow, but also a surge of resolve: what was about to happen here could not be avoided, and every choice would matter.
Once inside, Hikaru, Renji, Miyu, Airi, and Sensei noticed that Kaizen's entire team of imperials was already deep into the festivities. The buzz of conversations and laughter filled the space, lantern light flickering gently across the walls. They wove through the crowd until they reached the table where Kaizen awaited them.
Renji carefully took his seat, when suddenly an imperial woman, already visibly drunk, approached him with a wide smile and threw her arms around him.
Renji froze, unsure how to react, his gaze darting to Kaizen. The latter laughed in a low, amused voice.
— "I can't believe she's already drunk… and the party hasn't even started. By the way, her name is Lyra," Kaizen said, watching the scene with sharp eyes and his subtle smile.
Lyra giggled, swaying in Renji's arms, while the other imperials watched with relaxed smiles, as if such moments were routine for them.
Renji tried to remain calm and regain his composure, while Miyu and Airi exchanged slightly embarrassed but amused glances at the unexpected scene. Sensei, on the other hand, simply smiled faintly, carefully observing the dynamics between Renji and the imperials.
The party went on in the tavern for hours. Warm lights, music, and the imperials' laughter filled the room, and Renji surprisingly felt at ease among them. Lyra, drunk and giddy, rarely left his side, giggling and excitedly sharing amusing stories. The other imperials joined in, joking, challenging each other, and raising their cups in repeated toasts.
Miyu and Airi sat further back, smiling at everything happening around them, though they began to feel the weariness of the night and the draining energy of the lively atmosphere. Sensei, though energetic, rubbed his eyes lightly and let out a subtle sigh, showing he too needed rest.
— "I think it's time we head back," Sensei said, smiling at Renji. "It's been a wonderful evening, but we're tired."
Airi and Miyu also smiled, bidding Renji farewell, but before Airi rose from her seat, she said:
— "I'll sleep over tonight, since Miyu wants us to spend some time together."
Renji smiled faintly, a little surprised but calm:
— "Alright then… I'll stay here a while longer. Have fun."
Sensei, Miyu, and Airi left for home, exhausted after the long party, leaving Renji alone with the imperials and Kaizen. Renji was surprised that the imperials actually behaved and enjoyed themselves like ordinary people, while the air buzzed with their laughter and playful whispers. Hikaru, who should have escorted them back, was already too drunk to fulfill that duty.
Renji noticed that Kaizen himself was visibly drunk, his hair slightly disheveled, his voice trembling as he laughed or spoke. Clearly, the alcohol had loosened him, lowering his usual guard.
Renji realized this was the perfect moment to take advantage of. He remembered how Kaizen once said he had fought a demon general, but never shared the details. Now, with Kaizen tipsy and more open, he might finally learn the truth of that battle, to understand what had truly happened.
Renji's gaze fixed on Kaizen, determined to seize this unexpected chance, as the imperials' laughter and whispers still filled the tavern.
— "Kaizen… please, tell me more about the fight with the demon general. I want to know."
Kaizen lifted his gaze toward him, his eyes darkening at Renji's words… and a tremor shook his voice:
— "Renji… are you insane to ask me that now?!" Kaizen shouted, his tone sharp and furious. "Do you not understand how painful it is for me to talk about it?!"
Renji felt the tension rise but remained calm, trying to pierce the wall Kaizen had built around himself:
— "Please… I need to hear it. Not to anger you, but because I must understand."
Kaizen's voice broke, trembling with fury mixed with pain:
— "You're wrong if you think you can understand!" he shouted harshly, trying to control his tone. "It's… something that should never be told, even if I said otherwise yesterday!"
Renji noticed Kaizen's hands trembling slightly, his eyes weary, burdened with memories he never wanted to recall. Despite his irritability, a hidden fragility could be seen beneath his mask.
Kaizen drew in a deep breath, shivering slightly, steadying himself:
— "Fine…" he murmured, almost whispering, his voice heavy with suffering. "I'll tell you… but you must be ready to listen… to understand the pain and horror I lived through…"
Renji's gaze stayed fixed on Kaizen, feeling the weight of the moment and the hidden anguish in his eyes. Kaizen inhaled deeply again, trembling, preparing to open the door to the memories that haunted him and made him hate this world.
And so, he seemed ready to speak, leaving the tavern air heavy with tension and anticipation. Every bite of silence, every tremor of his hands hinted that what was about to be revealed would go beyond anything that had been said before.