The wind whispered softly through the ruins as the three souls stepped into what seemed like an abandoned shrine hidden beneath the eternal fog. Broken pillars leaned against one another, their cracks glowing faintly with drifting motes of light. This was Ren's place — a quiet shelter at the edge of chaos.
"It's not much," Ren said with a small grin, brushing off a stone bench. "But it's safer than most corners of this realm. The goons avoid the ruins. Superstitious idiots."
Riku smiled faintly, though exhaustion pulled at his face. Mina, the little girl, looked around with wide eyes, clutching the hem of her ragged dress. "It's… quiet," she murmured. "Too quiet."
"Peace is rare here," Ren said. "Better enjoy it while it lasts."
They set up a small fire using broken relic shards and soulstones that emitted a gentle, blue flame. For the first time since arriving in this twisted world, Riku felt something close to warmth.
⸻
Days in Training
Over the next few days, Ren took on the role of mentor. He showed Riku how to draw energy into Eclipsera, how to listen to the pulse of his soul rather than forcing the weapon to obey him.
"The sword isn't a tool," Ren explained, circling him during training. "It's a reflection of who you are. Rage and fear make it unstable. Resolve makes it glow."
Riku swung the blade again. This time, a crescent shimmer of blue light followed the arc. He smiled.
"Not bad, rookie," Ren said, clapping him on the back. "At this rate, you'll survive another week."
Mina laughed softly from the sidelines, her voice carrying hope. "That's progress, Riku! You didn't fall on your face this time."
Riku chuckled, wiping sweat from his brow. "Hey, I'm improving."
She tilted her head. "I… used to say that to my grandma when I learned to cook rice," she said, her voice small. "I'd always burn it. But she'd still smile and tell me I was improving."
Riku and Ren turned to her. "You… remember your past?" Riku asked gently.
Mina nodded, staring into the blue fire. "Some of it. I lived with my grandma in a tiny village. After she died, I started getting sick. One night, I fell asleep crying… and when I opened my eyes again, I was here." She looked up at them, eyes glistening faintly. "I don't even know if I really died or if this place pulled me in by mistake."
The silence that followed was heavy but not cold — it was understanding. Riku saw in her something he'd lost: innocence untouched by cruelty. For a fleeting moment, he envied her hope.
⸻
The Relic's Secret
That night, Ren finally spoke of the thing he'd kept hidden — a small crystal pendant that hung from his neck, faintly glowing like a trapped tear.
"You've both seen this, right?" he said, holding it up to the light. The glow painted the walls in soft blue waves. "This is called the Tear of Aeloria — a relic of healing."
Mina's eyes widened. "It's beautiful."
"It's more than that," Ren said. "It heals whoever carries it when they're close to death. But it's not something I can explain easily. It's… alive."
"Alive?" Riku asked.
Ren nodded. "When I sleep, I hear it whisper. When I fight, it pulses — like a heartbeat. It's as if it wants to guide me somewhere." He paused, eyes hardening. "I didn't find it. Someone gave it to me — a man I met near the edge of the northern wastes. He was being torn apart by those ancient goons. Before they finished him, he threw this to me and shouted, 'Find the Fountain. The Tear will lead you there.'"
Riku leaned forward. "So, the relic might be connected to the Elixir of Life."
"Maybe," Ren said. "Or maybe it's a curse. Every miracle in this world has a price."
⸻
The Ambush
Just as he said those words, the night air shifted. The blue flames flickered — then bent sideways, as if pushed by an invisible force.
Ren's hand went to his sword immediately. "Stay alert."
The sound of footsteps echoed from the darkness — five figures emerging from the mist. Each one bore the dull, lifeless eyes of those trapped too long in this realm. The leader wore a half-mask made of bone and a tattered cloak. His presence alone radiated malice.
"Ren," he said, voice sharp as steel scraping against stone. "You've been difficult to find."
"Guess I'm popular now," Ren replied, stepping forward. "What do you want?"
"The Tear," the leader said flatly. "You've held it long enough. Some of us still remember what it feels like to be alive. That relic belongs to me."
"You and what army?" Ren said.
The masked man spread his arms. "Me… and four desperate souls with nothing left to lose."
The other four grinned — weapons drawn, eyes blazing.
"Riku," Ren said quietly. "Stay close to Mina. Don't hold back."
Then the world exploded into chaos.
⸻
The Battle
Riku moved instinctively, slashing with Eclipsera as glowing sparks lit the ruins. Ren fought beside him, precise and relentless, his aura flaring bright red. The masked leader's group moved like hunters — coordinated, savage.
Ren took a heavy hit to the shoulder. He staggered but didn't fall. The Relic around his neck pulsed, faint light crawling through his veins like liquid healing, just enough to keep him standing.
"Ren!" Mina cried.
"I'm fine!" he gritted out, blocking a blade. "Keep back!"
Riku cut down one attacker with a glowing slash, but exhaustion crept in. He'd improved, but this was different — a real fight, a deadly one. His breath came in sharp gasps. His blade trembled.
"Still standing, huh?" Ren said, forcing a grin through pain.
"Barely," Riku replied, raising Eclipsera again.
The masked leader stepped into the light, his blade dripping with soul energy. "You fight well for corpses. But this ends now."
He lunged at Riku with blinding speed. The impact sent Riku crashing into a broken pillar. The mask cracked slightly — revealing a familiar scar beneath.
Riku froze.
No. It couldn't be.
The man laughed, removing what remained of the mask. His face was older, twisted — but unmistakable.
"Daichi…?" Riku whispered, his chest tightening. "Daichi Moriyama…?"
The bully's grin was cruel and sharp. "Long time no see, weakling."
Riku's mind flashed with images: the laughter, the fists, the humiliation, the helplessness. All the pain he thought he'd escaped came rushing back, heavier than any wound.
"You… how…?" Riku stammered.
"Guess dying wasn't enough to get rid of me," Daichi sneered. "Now I'm going to take everything again — even this world's hope."
He charged. Riku barely blocked, their blades sparking as memories and rage collided.
Ren, bleeding heavily but still standing, shouted, "Riku! Don't let your fear control your power! Focus!"
Mina screamed from the sidelines, "Riku! You can do it!"
Eclipsera pulsed, glowing brighter with every heartbeat — feeding not on Riku's fear this time, but his will to protect the others.
The fight raged on, the air thick with light and shadow. Daichi's laughter echoed through the ruins as Ren struggled to hold back the others.
And in that chaos — blood, memory, fire — Riku realized something terrifying.
He wasn't just fighting for survival anymore.
He was fighting his past.