He was death.
Darkness didn't surround him.. it belonged to him.
It moved with him. Bent for him. Lived for him.
Clouds darker than night swarmed at his arrival.
The wind howled, circling him like it bowed to his existence.
Heat rippled off his body, sharp enough to conjure lightning through the sky.
His sleeves were nothing but smoking black mist, shifting like breathing shadows.
His coat — a mass of swirling dark clouds.
His arms burned red, as if drenched in blood, veins glowing like molten fire traveling through his skin.
His hair was no hair ~
but long locks of living flame, falling behind him in slow-burning waves..
His eyes glowed crimson — bright enough to scorch the world.
Chains wrapped around his waist and shoulders, rattling with every breath he took, as if even the heavens were trying to restrain him.
Vulcor.
"Why are you here, Vulcor?" Grandpa Enro asked, rising into the sky to meet him, wind swirling around his feet.
"You know my purpose, O Forgotten One." Vulcor's voice was deep enough to make the mountains tremble. "I am kin to your kind… but our faith differs. Yours abandoned the old ways."
Every word was heavy. Ancient. Deadly.
"I have come to take revenge on your kind… for what was done to us. The Cleansing.
If we fight here, Enro… this mortal world will not survive the day."
Grandpa's expression hardened.
A sense of guilt ran through him, as if his own conscience had come to face him.
"I have abandoned that past, For I am not what you seek" he replied quietly. "I want no part in your war."
"Leave at once."
Vulcor's aura flared — black clouds spiraled around him, swallowing his frame.
"You have one day, Forgotten One. Fail to leave, and this world will burn for your choice."
And just like that ~
He vanished.
The sky dimmed. The air cooled.
Silence followed.
Grandpa slowly descended, shoulders heavy.
To think my past would catch up to me now…
Grandpa sits down for a bit
Trying to catch his breath and align his thoughts
I must keep Raizen safe, even if it means leaving him.
GRRRRRRR
"GRANDPAAAAA!" I burst through the door, holding my stomach. "I AM HUNGRY!"
He stared at me.
I grinned.
"Let's go to the town today! Since it's special and all ~ hehe."
"This boy…" he sighed, rubbing his forehead.
"Fine. Get your bags. We'll get groceries."
"YAAAY!"
I sprinted inside.
I must be careful, Grandpa thought.
—
A Stroll Outside – Fortiche Town
Fortiche — just 5 km away — bustled like usual. Merchants argued over coins, performers juggled flames, kids chased stray animals, and vendors shouted prices with voices hoarse from years of sales. Life spilled into every alley.
A perfect little commercial town.
"Finally! Something other than green trees and an old fart," I said dramatically.
"You've grown too spoiled," Grandpa muttered. "We should go home."
"It was a joke, old man, relax," I laughed as we walked deeper into the crowd.
Then -
Hands covered my eyes.
"Guess who?"
"GIYU?!" I yelled.
My best friend from the village.
"What's a forest monkey doing outside the trees?" Giyu teased, removing his hands.
"You know someone awakened their powers today," I bragged, letting a small spark of lightning dance around my wrist. "I'll smack you next time we spar."
"We'll see."
"Where's Zerro?" I asked, looking around.
"She left for Mystica. Something about visiting family. Might be gone for a few months."
"Aw man… the trio is broken." I slumped.
"You should join us," I said. "Grandpa's treating us for lunch!"
"You really want me broke, don't you?" Grandpa side-eyed me.
"No, no, it's fine," Giyu chuckled. "Besides, look up. I think it's going to rain."
"I might as well head back for the day, Aunt might kill me if I stay out too late again"
He was an orphan just like me but he had an aunt who took care of him like a mother.
"Wait… is that… someone flying?"
Winds suddenly roared through the street.
Stalls shook.
Hats flew.
People clutched their clothes.
"What the—?! Where did this wind come from?"
"LOOK! Up there!"
I looked up—
And the world collapsed into silence.
People dropped one by one, fainting where they stood.
Just from his presence.
My heartbeat froze.
No.
The whole world was frozen in that instance.
My fist tightened. Clenching my shirt.
The lively town became a graveyard of silence.
Grandpa was nowhere to be seen
"GRANDPAA, Where are you?", I screamed with teary eyes looking around
"GRANDPA, PLEASE.. I NEED YOU", I begged with my life in question
But I was answered with silence –
My body was frozen, I couldn't move or breathe.
And that's when I heard a faint whisper
"Grandpa is here."
Did I feel reassured?
No.
Why?
Because — Fear. Dread.
Nothing mattered. Why?
Because
He was here too.
Death… was here.