Chapter 24: Shadows That Pierce the Heart
Darkness loomed beyond the infirmary window, the moonlight veiled by thick, unnatural clouds. Inside, Kazuki lay unconscious, his breathing shallow, the remnants of the Void Dragon's power still flickering faintly around him. His battle with Eryx had pushed him to the edge—and unknowingly, he'd taken a step closer to the abyss.
Rito sat beside his bed, refusing to sleep. Her hands trembled slightly as she dipped a cloth into a bowl of cool water and gently wiped the sweat from Kazuki's brow.
"You always do this…" she whispered. "Carrying the weight alone."
Behind her, Ayumi leaned against the wall, arms crossed, though concern clearly etched her usually fierce face. Sutea, unusually silent, sat nearby scanning her spell tablet, searching for ways to stabilize Kazuki's energy flow. The room was quiet, save for the soft hum of life support magic and the distant hum of the tournament grounds outside.
But that calm was an illusion.
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Zephyr's Scheme Begins
Elsewhere, hidden within the arena's sub-level corridors, Zephyr Shadowblade moved like a phantom. His cloak of shadows flowed behind him, his boots silent on the stone floor. He paused outside the infirmary's magical barrier, observing the scene within through a dark crystal.
"She cares for him deeply," Zephyr mused as he watched Rito. "That attachment… it's the key."
A dark portal swirled open beside him, revealing one of his agents: a tall woman in ceremonial black, her eyes glowing crimson—one of the Umbral Sisters.
"Is the decoy prepared?" Zephyr asked.
She nodded. "Everything is in place. When Rito leaves his side… the trap will spring."
Zephyr's smile widened. "Good. Break her heart—and the dragon boy will fall."
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The Calm Before the Storm
Morning broke with golden light seeping into the infirmary. Kazuki stirred slightly, his body aching from the toll of battle. His eyelids fluttered open to find Rito asleep beside him, her head resting on the bed.
"…Rito?"
Her eyes snapped open, relief flooding her face. "Kazuki!" she hugged him gently, careful not to worsen his injuries. "You're awake…"
He gave a weak smile. "Feels like I got hit by a truck."
"You nearly died, you idiot!" Ayumi said, walking over and smacking his leg—not too hard. "Do that again and I'll kill you myself."
Kazuki chuckled hoarsely. "Love you too, Ayumi."
Rito blushed but said nothing. She looked down, conflicted, as if debating something.
"Kazuki… I need to go check on something," she said finally. "I'll be right back, okay?"
He nodded. "Be careful."
She stood, hesitant for a moment, then walked out.
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The Decoy and the Trap
As Rito walked down the corridor toward the outer courtyard, she suddenly stopped. A figure stood waiting under the sakura tree—Kazuki.
"W-What…?" Her eyes widened. "Kazuki!? You're supposed to be resting!"
The figure turned, smiling. "I couldn't rest. Not without telling you something important."
His voice was perfect. His stance, his eyes—everything was him. But something felt… off.
"I realized something during the fight," the figure continued, stepping closer. "You're more than just my sister. You've always been there for me. I... I think I love you."
Rito's heart skipped a beat.
But then—she hesitated. Her instincts screamed.
"You're not him," she whispered.
The false Kazuki's eyes widened for a moment—then darkened into shadow. His body melted away into smoke, revealing a twisted shadow soldier with crimson lines running across its body.
"You're clever," it hissed.
Rito drew her twin blades instantly, elemental fire and water crackling to life. "Come at me, freak."
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Rito's Duel in the Moonlight
The courtyard exploded into a flurry of movement. The shadow soldier lunged, claws outstretched, but Rito danced between its strikes with fluid grace. Her swords sang through the air—Flamepiercer slashed down, and Tidesplitter followed in a horizontal arc, their combined strike burning through shadow and slicing the creature's arm clean off.
But the shadow regenerated quickly, lunging again.
"I'm not the same girl I was!" she shouted, spinning low and kicking upward, sending the creature airborne before launching a flurry of elemental slashes.
The area around them erupted in flame and mist, the temperature fluctuating wildly as her twin forces battled against darkness.
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Kazuki's Premonition
Back in the infirmary, Kazuki stirred again. His eyes shot open—something was wrong.
He could feel it. Rito's energy… it's flaring!
Despite the pain, he forced himself out of bed. Sutea tried to stop him, but he shoved himself past her, stumbling into the hallway, his body still unstable.
He didn't care.
"Rito…!"
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The End of the Ambush
Rito panted, sweat dripping from her brow, her hair sticking to her face. The shadow was injured now, its core exposed. With a cry, she spun both blades into a final crossing strike—Infernal Tide Breaker!—and cleaved the monster into fragments of black ash.
She fell to her knees.
Kazuki arrived just moments later, collapsing beside her.
"You… you idiot," she said, voice trembling. "I told you to rest."
"You almost died," Kazuki muttered, holding her hand tightly. "That matters more."
Their eyes met—silent emotions swirling between them.
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Zephyr's Smile
From the upper balcony, Zephyr watched.
"The bond is stronger than I thought," he murmured. "No matter. When I strike next… even that bond will shatter."
He turned, vanishing into the dark with only one thought:
Let the war begin.
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End of Chapter 24