Chapter 4: The Weight of Battle
Kael exhaled, leaning back against the rocky ground. His body ached, exhaustion settling into his bones, but his mind refused to rest. Even though Kazuki told him to relax, sleep wouldn't come. His body was tense, his thoughts restless.
He closed his eyes and tried to meditate, but his nerves wouldn't settle. His breathing was uneven, his hands slightly trembling. His mind kept replaying everything—Sistine's disappearance, his near-death encounter, Kazuki's overwhelming strength. It was too much.
Frustrated, he opened his eyes and let his gaze drift across the landscape. From atop the mountain, he could see for miles. The sky was clear, painted with soft hues of orange and blue. A gentle wind rolled through, rustling his hair. It was… peaceful.
Peaceful.
A small, bitter chuckle escaped his lips.
This world—this place that had nearly killed him—was more peaceful than the one he came from.
Back home, there was no quiet like this. Only the sharp words of his parents, the constant tension in his chest, the feeling of walking on eggshells in his own home. Pain was a familiar presence, whether in the form of harsh words or something worse.
Sistine had been his escape. The only person who had ever truly been kind to him. The only one who made life bearable.
And now, she was gone.
His fingers curled into a fist.
He had to get stronger. If this world had given him a second chance—an escape from his past—then he wasn't going to waste it. Sistine had saved him before. Now, it was his turn.
The wind carried a quiet stillness over the mountain, and for the first time since arriving, Kael felt his body relax. His eyes grew heavy, the weight of exhaustion finally pulling him under.
And as he drifted into sleep, one thought remained.
He would save her. No matter what...
Kael then suddenly found himself standing in the middle of an arena, shrouded in thick black fog. The silence was eerie, stretching endlessly in all directions. He looked around, trying to make sense of where he was.
Then, his eyes landed on a lone blade embedded in the ground.
Instinctively, he reached for it. But the moment his fingers wrapped around the hilt, an unbearable force crashed down on his body. His knees buckled, his breath caught in his throat—it felt like the entire weight of the world was pressing him into the dirt.
A deep, metallic scraping sound echoed through the fog.
Kael's body tensed. The noise was distant at first, but it was getting closer. Slow, deliberate, relentless.
Struggling against the crushing weight, he forced himself to his feet. His movements were sluggish, every muscle screaming in protest, but he had no choice.
Then, through the swirling mist, it emerged.
A knight, its entire form composed of shifting fog, dragging a massive blade across the ground. Its faceless head turned toward him, and without hesitation, it lunged.
Kael barely managed to raise his weapon in time. The impact sent a violent tremor through his arms, but before he could recover, the knight's armored fist drove into his gut.
Pain exploded through his body.
The force sent him skidding backward, his boots scraping against the ground. He gasped for air, struggling to stay upright.
What… is this place?
What is this thing?
But there was no time to think. The knight was already advancing again.
Meanwhile, Kazuki had already returned, carrying a bundle of food in one hand. As he approached, he spotted Kael lying on the ground, completely still.
Kazuki raised an eyebrow. Did he seriously fall asleep out here?
With a sigh, he walked over, knelt down, and hoisted Kael onto his back. "You're a weird one," he muttered, carrying him back into the shelter.
—
The battlefield remained unchanged—silent, fog-covered, and oppressive.
Kael clenched his fists. The unbearable weight that once crushed his body was beginning to fade, his movements becoming sharper, more fluid. He could finally keep up with the knight's attacks.
Dodge. Step back. Sidestep.
The knight's blade cut through the air, barely missing him each time. Kael could see it now—its movements, its timing. And then, finally, an opening.
This was his chance.
Gritting his teeth, Kael lunged forward, blade poised to strike—
But before his sword could land, the knight's fist shot forward with inhuman speed.
The impact slammed into his ribs, and an instant later, a violent force surged through his body. His breath hitched—then, blood erupted from his mouth.
Before he could even recover, a powerful kick followed, crashing into his chest.
His vision blurred as he was sent hurtling backward, tumbling across the battlefield like a ragdoll.
Kael slowly pushed himself up, his body trembling under its own weight. Blood dripped from his mouth, staining the ground beneath him. His wounds screamed in protest, but he refused to fall.
"I thought I had him…" he muttered, his breath shallow.
The knight, its form shifting and writhing like living mist, raised its blade high. This was it—the final strike.
Kael steadied his stance, gripping his chipped and battered sword. He mimicked the knight's posture—then, instead of silence, he roared. A deep, guttural scream tore from his throat as his body ignited with an unknown force.
The knight surged forward.
Kael didn't flinch. His sword, old and fractured, began to glow. His body moved instinctively, shifting into a stance—Ko Gasumi.
The moment stretched. The air trembled.
Then, he charged.
Time itself seemed to slow as the two clashed.
A blinding explosion of light and mist erupted upon impact, consuming the battlefield in an instant. When the glow faded, the scene was clear—both warriors stood frozen, swords buried deep in each other's bodies.
Kael exhaled shakily. His vision blurred, but he forced himself to look down.
His old sword, the blade that had carried him through this fight, was cracking. Piece by piece, it shattered, crumbling into dust in his weakening grip.
Silence.
Then, his body gave in.
His breath hitched, his chest clenched—then, blood spewed from his lips. The world spun around him, his vision darkening, his strength fading—
—until he jolted awake.
A sharp, choking gasp tore from him as he doubled over, coughing violently. Blood splattered onto the bed, staining the sheets and the floor beneath him.
Kazuki burst into the room, his eyes narrowing as he took in the sight. He didn't need to ask—he could feel it. A severe innergy drain.
Without hesitation, he placed a hand over Kael's chest, transferring just enough innergy to stabilize him.
Even then, Kael's body couldn't take it. His consciousness slipped away once more.
Kazuki sighed, hoisting him up with ease.
"…What the hell happened?"
With that, he carried Kael to the hot spring—its healing waters the only thing that could mend him now.