Chapter 8: Shadows of Yesterday
Steam curled softly into the air.
Kael blinked awake, his body sore, his vision blurry. The warm sensation of the hotspring surrounded him once more, and for a moment, he wondered if it had all been a dream.
He stared at the sky.
"…Did I lose?" he muttered.
From nearby, Kazuki's voice replied coolly, "No. You passed."
Kael sat up slowly, wincing at the dull pain in his muscles. He turned his head and saw Kazuki sitting on a rock near the edge of the spring, his right arm wrapped in cloth—stained with a faint trace of blood.
"That last strike you made," Kazuki continued,
"you grazed my arm."
Kael's eyes widened. "I… what?"
Kazuki smirked, glancing at the wound.
"If Ryo hadn't pulled me away… you wouldn't have grazed it. You would've taken the whole arm."
Kael was stunned into silence. He remembered the blur of his final swing—how everything else had vanished, how his body had just moved.
"That's how much power you put into it," Kazuki said.
"And that's why you passed."
Kael slowly leaned back against the rock behind him, letting the heat soothe his aches.
"So… I'm a Sentinel now?"
Kazuki nodded. "You are. Officially. But don't get ahead of yourself. You've got the potential, but not the experience. That's what we're fixing next."
He stood up and crossed his arms.
"For the next five days, you'll be sparring with Ryo. Every single day. He'll also teach you how to suppress your innergy—make it harder to sense you. That'll be crucial when you infiltrate the Holy Capital."
Kael nodded, still catching his breath.
Then he looked at Kazuki.
"One question... Why are you helping me?"
Kazuki paused. For a moment, the steam and silence filled the space between them.
Then he turned away, tightening his cloak.
"…I have my reasons," he said simply—and with a sudden flash, vanished.
Kael stared at the spot where he stood, quiet.
"…What's that about."
As Kazuki dashed through the dense forest trail, the wind brushing past his face, his mind suddenly wavered—pulled into a distant, buried memory that he can never forget...
The laughter of children rang out in a sunlit field. The scent of summer grass filled the air, and the warmth of the golden hour bathed everything in a soft glow. Children chased one another, their voices bright and carefree, reveling in the joy of the moment.
Amidst them was a younger Kazuki, his face lit with unguarded joy, and beside him, a girl with long, silvery-white hair, her laughter like music. They ran through the swaying grass, their energy boundless.
As the sun began to dip, parents called for their children one by one. The joyful noise gradually faded until only Kazuki and the girl remained, breathless and laughing, sprawled beneath a cherry blossom tree.
"Let's stay out a little longer!" she pleaded, looking up at the sky with wide eyes.
Kazuki turned to her, a playful smirk on his face. "You just want to avoid dinner!"
"Maybe…" she giggled.
"But I want to play more with you. I won't always get to."
Kazuki's expression shifted slightly.
"What do you mean? We live together so, we'll always be friends... right?"
"Promise?" she asked, her voice serious, hope glimmering in her eyes.
Kazuki nodded, raising a hand. "I promise... Sistine"
They bumped their fists together—a silent vow that felt stronger than any words.
The girl turned serious, a hint of concern in her voice.
"Kazuki, you'll always protect me, right?"
Kazuki's smile faltered for a brief moment.
"Of course! Big brother will always be there to keep you safe."
She smiled back, the sunlight catching her hair, illuminating her with a glow that made the world feel magical. Kazuki could see the innocence in her eyes, a brightness he would do anything to preserve.
Kazuki lounged against a tree, twirling a small stick between his fingers as the afternoon sun cast dappled shadows on the ground. Beside him, Sistine rested with her head propped on her hand, her gaze drifting toward the horizon.
"Isn't there anything fun to do around here?" she complained, her voice tinged with boredom.
"All we've done is play tag and dodge chores. There has to be more to explore!"
Kazuki chuckled, pushing himself off the tree.
"Well, what about that gate?"
Sistine's eyes sparkled with interest. "The one that just appeared near the realm gates? The one everyone says is forbidden?"
"Exactly." Kazuki shrugged, a grin spreading across his face.
"We could just take a look. I mean, we won't enter. Just peek."
Sistine's curiosity piqued. "You're really suggesting we go look at a forbidden gate?"
"Why not?" Kazuki said, his voice teasing.
"We're not going to get caught if we're careful."
After a moment of contemplation, Sistine rolled her eyes but smiled.
"Fine. I guess it's better than sitting around here."
They set off toward the realm gates, the excitement building with every step. As they approached the location, the air felt charged with anticipation, an unspoken thrill pulsing between them.
Finally, they arrived, their eyes widening as they caught sight of the dark, rippling gate. It stood ominously at the edge of the clearing, pulsating with an unsettling energy that seemed to draw them in.
"Wow…" Sistine breathed, stepping closer, her initial hesitation fading.
"It's even more incredible up close."
Kazuki nodded, captivated.
"I've never seen anything like it. It's like it's alive."
They leaned in, completely entranced by the sight, the mystery of the gate overshadowing their surroundings. Neither of them noticed the distant sound of a carriage approaching, its wooden wheels creaking under the weight of barrels stacked high.
Suddenly, with a loud thud, one of the barrels fell from the carriage, rolling toward them with surprising speed.
Sistine gasped, snapping her head around.
"Kazuki, look out!"
Kazuki turned just in time to see the barrel barreling toward them, but there was no time to react. The barrel struck Sistine, knocking her off balance.
"No!" Kazuki shouted, reaching out as she stumbled backward.
Time seemed to slow as Sistine lost her footing, her eyes wide with shock. She was pushed straight toward the gate.
With a breathless gasp, she tumbled through the dark rippling surface, the moment stretching into an eternity.
Kazuki lunged forward, but it was too late. The gate shimmered as she disappeared inside, the air where she had stood rippling as if it were water.
"No! Sistine!" Kazuki shouted, desperation rising in his throat. He rushed to the gate, but it pulsed ominously, his fear refusing to let him through.
He stumbled to a halt, panic and disbelief crashing over him like waves.
"What just happened?"
The gate stood silent, an impenetrable barrier, the world around him fading into the background. Kazuki's heart raced, fear gripping him.
"Sistine!"