Sasaki's doubts continued to fester as he confronted the Supreme King before him. The swordsman's instincts screamed that something was amiss, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it. With each clash of their blades, the Supreme King's attacks grew more erratic, further fueling Sasaki's suspicion.
"Tell me the truth," Sasaki demanded, his voice cutting through the tension.
"Are you truly the Supreme King? Your skills and presence... they feel lacking, almost artificial."
The King's eyes narrowed, a hint of panic flashing across his face. He attempted to deflect the accusation, launching into a frenzied assault to overwhelm Sasaki. But he skillfully evading each strike with ease.
"I've faced countless opponents, witnessed true mastery. But there's something off about you. Your swordsmanship lacks authenticity."
Skylar, hidden from view, watched in silence as her doubts deepened.
As the King attacks grew more desperate, Sasaki saw through the facade, sensing weakness beneath the bravado. The realization sparked a surge of determination within him. With a swift strike, he disarmed the King, sending his sword spiraling to the ground.
The King staggered backward, his false authority crumbling. Panic and fear flickered in his eyes, his true nature laid bare before his opponent. He frantically searched for a way to regain control, his voice trembling with desperation.
"You can't defy me! I am the Supreme King!".
Sasaki remained undeterred.
"A true swordsman will never be disarmed. Show me your true power."
With each passing moment, the King's facade waned, leaving only a desperate, fractured being in its wake.
"Everything I worked for, the people I lied to, it all means nothing now! BECAUSE OF SOME KID THAT HE HAS A PURPOSE. NO ONE HAS A PURPOSE. FATE IS A FACADE!"
In a final act of defiance, he summoned a torrent of dark energy, channeling his distorted power into the sky above.
A massive meteor of darkness materialized, hurtling toward the north island with destructive force. The 'King' sneered, reveling in the chaos he believed he could unleash.
With a primal roar, Sasaki channeled his own energy, Mujihina aura, summoning the strength to protect the Yotr Kingdom. The ground trembled beneath his feet as his aura surged with unparalleled intensity.
In a blur of motion, Sasaki launched himself at the imposter, determined to put an end to this twisted charade. His blades danced with purpose and precision, slicing through the air, aimed at the heart of the imposter's deception.
"Mujihina Cross!"
Just as his blades connected, a blinding light erupted from the clash, enveloping the battlefield. The force of their clash resonated throughout the island, shaking the very foundations of the imposter's illusion.
When the light faded, Sasaki stood alone, his blades stained with the remnants of the 'King's' energy. The 'King's' form dissolved into nothingness, his true nature exposed and defeated.
Skylar feels no sympathy.
The impending threat of destruction vanished as the imposter's influence ceased to exist. Sasaki stood, catching his breath, his gaze searching the surroundings for any remnants of the imposter's malevolence.
Meanwhile, Skylar remained hidden, her doubts deepening. The revelation that her brother, the true Supreme King, had yet to reveal himself weighed heavily on her heart. She realized that their journey had only just begun, and the path of her chosen fate, is destroyed.
"Big brother, this is the path you chose. But thanks to that guy, I'm now free."
Sasaki's body trembled with exhaustion as he fell to his knees, his grip loosening on his sword. The relentless battle had taken its toll, and his movements grew sluggish, his strength waning. He fought to stay conscious, but the pain and damage he had endured overwhelmed him, rendering him immobile.
"I- cant….move."
Just as despair threatened to consume him, the sound of approaching footsteps shattered the silence. More of the Supreme King's followers emerged from the shadows, their eyes filled with vengeful determination. They sought retribution for their fallen leader, ready to strike down anyone who stood in their way.
Sasaki's heart raced with a mixture of fear and frustration. He longed to defend himself, to protect those who had put their faith in him, but his body refused to respond. He was defenseless, at the mercy of his enemies.
But in the depths of Sasaki's being, a dormant power stirred. A surge of bloodlust energy, known as Meishu Kyanseru, erupted from within him. It radiated with an intensity that sent chills down the spines of the approaching followers, causing their steps to falter.
Their eyes widened in terror as the overwhelming aura of fear gripped their hearts. They clutched at their heads, their consciousness slipping away under the weight of the menacing energy. One by one, they crumpled to the ground, rendered unconscious by the sheer dread that emanated from Sasaki.
Meishu Kyanseru, a rare and formidable power possessed by only a few individuals in the world. It's a bloodlust energy, awakened in times of dire need to safeguard its host from imminent death. Its presence now shielded Sasaki from the fatal blow that awaited him.
As the last of the followers fell, Sasaki gasped for air, his body trembling with the remnants of the released energy. The battle had taken a new turn, a testament to the hidden depths of his strength. He remained in awe of this power that had come to his aid, saving him from a fate that seemed inevitable.
The aftermath of the battle lay before him, the unconscious bodies of the followers strewn across the battlefield. Sasaki struggled to rise to his feet, his movements unsteady. Though weakened, he knew that he had been granted a second chance, an opportunity to continue his pursuit of the truth.
As darkness engulfs Sasaki's vision, his senses were momentarily lost in the abyss. Confusion gripped his mind, his thoughts scattered like shards of shattered glass. And then, emerging from the inky void, two ethereal figures materialized before him.
The ghostly apparitions of Kyrie and Iwashi stood before Sasaki, their presence both haunting and surreal. He blinked in disbelief, unsure if what he was seeing was a figment of his imagination or a manifestation of something otherworldly.
Iwashi, adorned with an enigmatic smile, delicately placed a white rose against Sasaki's face. The flower, once as pure as freshly fallen snow, transformed before his eyes, turning unto a vibrant crimson colour. Its petals exuded an otherworldly glow, emanating a sense of calm amidst the chaos that will consume Sasaki's world.
With a voice that resonated like a whispering breeze, Iwashi spoke, his words carrying a weight that stirred something deep within Sasaki's soul.
"Find your true self. Within the depths of your being lies the answers you seek. Embrace the power that resides within you, and let it guide you towards your destiny."
Kyrie, his voice echoing with a hint of reverence, interjected,
"You, the one who will bring balance and purpose to our fractured existence. All your questions from the past, can now be answered. Let the world know, who you truly are.""
His words hung in the air, leaving Sasaki more perplexed than ever, struggling to comprehend the cryptic message delivered by the ghostly duo.
Before Sasaki could utter a word, the spectral forms of Kyrie and Iwashi began to fade, their essence dissipating into the obscurity from whence they came. As reality seeped back into Sasaki's awareness, he found himself once again standing in the midst of the battle-scarred landscape.
His mind reeled, a multitude of questions swirling within him.
As Sasaki's eyes strained to focus, a figure emerged from the shadows. It was Skylar, the enigmatic onlooker who had witnessed his battle with the fake Supreme King. Despite his weakened state, Sasaki's instincts kicked in, and he attempted to gather the strength to fight. His muscles trembled.
However, before he could launch his feeble attack, Skylar swiftly intervened, gently restraining his trembling arm. Her touch was surprisingly gentle, and her eyes conveyed a sense of understanding. Sasaki's breath caught as he beheld her piercing gaze.
"I am Skylar," she spoke softly, her voice carrying an air of serenity amidst the chaos.
"I witnessed your struggle, and I thank you for defeating my brother."
Sasaki's mind reeled with disbelief. The realization that the fake Supreme King was Skylar's own flesh and blood struck him like a bolt of lightning. He had fought so fiercely against an imposter, unaware of the deep personal connection between his enemy and this enigmatic observer.
Skylar released her grip, allowing Sasaki to regain his balance, albeit unsteadily. He regarded her with a mix of curiosity and wariness, his voice barely a whisper.
"I am Sasaki. Why would you thank me for defeating your own brother?"
A melancholic smile graced Skylar's lips as she stepped back, creating a respectful distance between them.
"My brother had become lost, consumed by power and darkness. His actions brought pain and suffering to many. You have freed him from that torment, delivering a final blow to the twisted path he had chosen."
Sasaki's gaze softened as he absorbed her words, the weight of his actions settling upon him. He had unknowingly played a part in releasing Skylar from the burden of her brother's actions. It was a bittersweet realization, as the victory had come at great cost.
Skylar's voice resonated with a sense of liberation.
"And you have also freed me. I owe you a lot. However this is not the end, Sasaki. Our paths may cross again in the future. Until then, continue your journey and embrace the power within you. Tell the two girls I said sorry. I'll leave you and your team alone."
With those parting words, Skylar turned away, her form fading into the darkness. Sasaki watched her departure, a mixture of emotions swirling within him. He felt a connection, an unspoken bond forged through their shared struggle. He understood that their destinies were entwined, and their paths would inevitably intersect once more.
Sasaki took a deep breath, his body still weak and battered. The battle had left its mark, but a flicker of determination burned within him. He falls to the ground, unconscious.