Kaizen's arrival in Rioshima, the capital city of the Empire, was not a quiet one. It was a violent and chaotic event that marked the beginning of his darkest days.
The journey from the village to the city had been arduous. After the ambush, the brutal attack by the monks, and the loss of Aoi, Itsuro, and Sakura, Kaizen's body was in a constant state of exhaustion. The two-year peace he had lived with in the village had now turned into a distant memory. The illusion of safety was shattered in an instant.
The Capture
Kaizen and the others were captured that fateful day during the battle. The High Monk's soldiers, led by Bhikkhu, had surrounded the village with precision. There was no hope of escape. The monks' chants filled the air as they used their special mala beads to suppress Kaizen's powers, leaving him vulnerable. Kaizen's demons, which had remained dormant for two years, could not come to his aid, their whispers silenced by the power of the beads. As he fought, he was overwhelmed.
At that moment, Aoi had been knocked unconscious, and Sakura had been dragged away by one of the soldiers. Itsuro was badly injured but still managed to struggle. It was during the chaos of the fight that Kaizen's last glimpse of Aoi occurred. She was taken away by the monks, her hands bound tightly as she was forced to follow their orders. The pain of seeing her being separated from him, helpless and broken, surged through Kaizen, but he could do nothing.
He had been restrained by several monks, their firm grips on his arms holding him still. He fought, but his weakened state was no match for their strength. His last memory of the village was a blur of dust and the distant sounds of battle.
The Journey to the Capital
Kaizen had been transported to Rioshima under heavy guard. His hands were shackled, and his head was bowed as he was led through the city gates. His mind was in turmoil, his thoughts scattered like the ashes of a fire long extinguished. Aoi, Sakura, Itsuro—all had been taken. What had happened to them? Were they alive?
The streets of Rioshima were like nothing Kaizen had seen before. Towering buildings surrounded him, their stone walls towering high into the sky. The smell of the city was thick and overwhelming, a mix of incense, fresh food, and the decay of human life. The sounds were oppressive—clanging metal, shouting merchants, and the footsteps of the monks that marched alongside him. They were not kind; they mocked him with every step, whispering words of torment in his ear.
Kaizen felt as though he were a prisoner in a foreign world. He had lived in peace for so long that it was almost unimaginable to be back in a place like this—a place where the very air seemed to press against him, suffocating him with its weight. He had been forced to leave behind everything he had come to cherish, his life torn apart by forces he could not control.
The Arrival at the Prison
When Kaizen was finally brought to his cell, it was like being plunged into a pit of darkness from which there was no escape. The walls were cold, made of black stone that absorbed the light and made the room feel even more suffocating. There were no windows, only a small barred opening near the ceiling that let in a sliver of light—a constant reminder of the freedom he would never taste again.
The High Monk, Bhikkhu, was the one to personally deliver Kaizen into his cell. As Kaizen was shoved roughly into the dark chamber, Bhikkhu's voice echoed in his ears.
"You will remain here, Kaizen, for as long as it takes. Your suffering will be legendary. We will break you. The Shards of Eternity are far more valuable than you realize."
The heavy door slammed shut behind him, leaving Kaizen in complete isolation. His heart raced with fear, and the walls seemed to close in on him. He sank to the floor, his body trembling, trying to block out the sounds of the outside world.
The Separation from Aoi
Kaizen had not been able to see Aoi since the battle. They had been separated as they were brought into the capital city. The last time he had glimpsed her, she had been forcefully dragged away from him, her expression filled with confusion and fear. His heart had broken, knowing that he might never see her again. It was a moment that would haunt him for years to come.
Bhikkhu had told him that Aoi was alive, but the promises made to him had been empty. The hope Kaizen had clung to was slowly being drained from him, replaced by the unbearable weight of despair. Was Aoi still alive? Where had they taken her? What had happened to Sakura? What had happened to Itsuro?
As Kaizen's mind spiraled, Bhikkhu's voice pierced the silence once again.
"Aoi is alive, Kaizen. I know you must be desperate to see her again. But you must understand—she cannot help you. None of them can. It is only through the Shards of Eternity that you will find redemption. If you do not help us, Kaizen, they will suffer the consequences."
But Kaizen could not accept it. He refused to believe that Aoi—his precious Aoi—could be part of the High Monk's plans. There had to be a way to save her, to save them all. But for now, he was trapped in the cell, surrounded by darkness and broken memories.
The next few days were unbearable. Kaizen was forced to relive the events that had led him here: the attack on the village, the betrayal, and the haunting image of Aoi being taken away. His mind replayed the moment endlessly, like a broken record that couldn't stop spinning.
In the deepest part of his heart, Kaizen swore that he would escape, that he would find a way to break free of this hell. But for now, there was nothing he could do. He was trapped in a cell, left to suffer alone, without even the comfort of his demons or the faint hope of seeing Aoi again.
This was just the beginning of his torment.