Chapter Seven
The scene begins inside the Foggy Region. Voices rose among the three, each word testing their history steeped in secrets.
Art: (hesitant) What do you mean by the Summoning Shard? And if you say "the first," how many are there in the first place?
Kaith: (with deadly seriousness) Art… first of all — I removed that ability.
Art: Why?
Kaith: Because after this moment, my curse — returning twenty-four hours after death — will no longer help. Saving you now would distort time unreasonably.
A painful silence followed for a moment, then Art spoke with a voice trying to understand:
Art: Fine… just explain.
Kaith interrupted him harshly, with unmistakable coldness:
Kaith: The Summoning Shard… is something stronger than the disasters themselves. There are six shards. After killing each one, the Outer Ruler will be summoned.
Art: You mean the Ruler who fought the Three Rulers of the World and was then sealed?
Kaith: Yes, exactly. After that, it will test you and grant you a wish. But if you fail… your soul will be erased from all the universes.
Art: And what will your wish be?
Kaith: (sharply) Art, remember who you are. I am the master here. The one answering questions isn't me — it's you.
Their conversation stopped abruptly as a strange gate exploded before them. From it emerged a massive arm, tearing through the enchanted space and violently smashing a city. Amidst the collapsing ruins, a terrifying, enormous creature appeared, radiating a destructive, malicious aura. It was the First Shard — the Shard of Chaos.
Kaith shouted fiercely:
Kaith: It's time! We fight it now. Let's go!
Ari: Yes, let's move!
Art hesitated for a moment, then spoke in a softer voice:
Art: Stop, Kaith… I said I wouldn't remember anything. So from now on, you'll be the one hiding the truth from me?
Kaith: (with calm composure) Yes, of course.
Art took a deep breath and muttered, frowning:
Art: I'm sorry, Kaith… but your next attempt will be better — if only I didn't know about your power.
Kaith looked at him, questioning:
Kaith: What do you mean by that, Art?
Before Art could answer, a sword pierced his chest in a shocking moment.
Art's lips opened slowly as he stared at Kaith, then spoke in a broken voice, the gaze carrying no justification:
Art: I don't know where to aim my eyes at you in your next attempt; but this is for the best for you.
Kaith screamed in pain, feeling his blood flow:
Kaith: I thought swords were for cutting the necks of enemies, my friend… I gave you my sword, so why do I find my sword piercing my heart? Answer me! I want to know what I did wrong!
Art shook his head slowly, his words swallowed by a harsh tremor:
Art: My friend and teacher… I am the one at fault, not you. But you will lose your fight with me. This is the better death for you now — before you die in humiliation, because I knew you as someone who does not lose.
The chaos around them faded, and Kaith's body fell onto the foggy ground. His voice disappeared, leaving behind a heavy question lingering in the air: had the Curse of Return been used, or had a cycle here ended that had not yet been exhausted?
End of Chapter