"After the great war of the kingdoms, I found solace in the small joys that remained, seeking refuge in the desolate Grim Ruins. It was a lonely existence, burdened with the weight of my duty as a sacred soldier. Sorrow became my constant companion, engulfing me in its relentless embrace.
But amidst the desolation, a glimmer of hope found its way into my life. Three extraordinary children, like beacons of light, were entrusted to my care. In their presence, I discovered newfound joy and peace, watching them grow stronger with each passing day. They became my family, my reason to persevere.
Reina, a mysterious boy I discovered in the orphanage of the Grim Ruins, possessed a staggering reservoir of magical energy that surpassed anything I had ever witnessed. From the very first moment I met him, I knew he was special. At the tender age of three, he unlocked his sacred weapon and elemental abilities, bearing a scar on his right forearm as proof of his extraordinary potential, for he injured himself the moment he got his katana. And I didn't hesitate to train him, bestowing to him the way of the katana and the style of a samurai. Her Majesty was right—Reina is a prodigious talent, a force to be reckoned with.
Satomi, driven by her unwavering determination to stand beside Reina, refused to be left behind. In the face of his overwhelming strength, she became a tireless worker, choosing the arduous path of training to close the gap. Her relentless spirit and unyielding resolve were awe-inspiring. It was a joy to witness her transformation into a remarkable young woman, standing tall and fierce.
Nobu, the "cursed child" as they called him, was the one I doubted the most. I underestimated his potential, blinded by prejudice and misconceptions. But time and again, he defied my expectations, surprising us all. When others believed it was better for him to give up, he refused to surrender. His pure smile carried a depth of emotions that touched our souls, a testament to the strength of his spirit. Nobu taught me the power of resilience and the beauty that lies within every individual, regardless of their perceived limitations.
The bond that formed between us transcended blood ties. Together, we created a family forged in shared experiences and unconditional love. The laughter, tears, and growth we shared were invaluable treasures that filled the void within my heart. I was blessed beyond measure to witness their growth, to guide them through the trials of life."
"I'm selfish... incredibly selfish," Kaeya's voice quivers, his battered form hanging limply in the air as Project5 looms over him, raising the broken body with his hand. The realization dawns upon him in this final, desperate moment. "Even though I have witnessed the extraordinary growth of those three children over the years, it feels as though I have not truly lived. And now, as my end draws near..."
Project5, his annoyance palpable, grumbles in response, his voice a menacing growl. But an unexpected grin tugs at the corners of his lips, and his brown eyes gleam with defiant pleasure. "Your powers infuriated me," he admits, the words dripping with twisted delight. "And that's precisely why I enjoyed them."
Cracks begin to spiderweb across Kaeya's body, his magical energy waning as it flows into the towering figure before him. His consciousness fades gradually, his senses growing dull and numb with each passing moment.
The owl companion hovering nearby grows agitated, and the screen displaying Kaeya's struggles flickers and distorts. Within the group, Nobu's heart sinks further, his anticipation tinged with a gnawing sense of dread. Though they draw nearer, he can barely perceive Kaeya's presence, a disheartening sign of the impending loss.
"Is this it?" Kaeya's words escape him in a whisper, his expression void of emotion as another crack fractures his neck, his body turning ashen gray. "Did I truly live my life to the fullest?" Doubt seeps into his thoughts, his voice tinged with a haunting uncertainty. "Have I... Have I been a good father?"
The stillness settles, heavy and suffocating, as a fourth shard livens in Project5's chest. It pulsates with a profound hue, a somber Collingwood shade representing the power that has slipped away. Kaeya, the Hand Of Justice and father figure, no longer draws breath. His presence eludes Nobu's senses, his essence fading into an ethereal void. Reina and the others, their hearts heavy with grief, find themselves unable to trace his pure power, his essence lost to them forever.
The owl, once vigilant in its watch over Kaeya, dissolves into the nothingness from which it emerged, its purpose extinguished. And the magical screen that held the thread of hope, connecting them to Kaeya's struggle, flickers and fades away, leaving them with only memories and a profound emptiness.
In the bureau of the castle, Satomi crumbles to her knees, her sobs echoing through the room as tears stream down her anguished face. Overwhelmed by grief, she struggles to contain the torrent of emotions threatening to consume her. Kokoa, a pillar of support, kneels beside her, her hands resting gently on Satomi's shoulders, offering solace in the face of overwhelming loss.
The others stand in stunned silence, their expressions hollowed out by the weight of their sorrow. Their beloved teacher, their guiding light, has been extinguished, leaving an unbearable void in their hearts. Ash, his voice trembling with disbelief, desperately searches for any remnants of the magical screen that connected them to Kaeya's valiant struggle.
"Your Highness... Why did you stop the screen?" Ash's voice wavers as he questions, his sorrowful smile belying the pain within, his crimson eyes brimming with tears. He clings to the flicker of hope, refusing to accept the harsh reality before him. "We... We still want to see Master Kaeya fighting..."
Ashide, her head bowed in anguish, struggles to find the words. Her voice, barely a whisper, reveals the weight of her guilt. "I... I'm sorry," she manages to say, her admission laden with regret, her voice trails off, the weight of her decision heavy upon her soul.
Confusion and disbelief fill Ash's expression, the pained smile embedded on his lips as he approaches Ashide. "You're... You're what? I didn't hear you..." he pleads, desperate for an alternative, unwilling to accept the truth as he reveals his sharp teeth.
"Ash, you must stop," Interjects Katsu, stepping forward and pulling his friend away from the grieving Queen. His voice carries a mix of empathy and firmness. "I know it's difficult to comprehend, but we have to accept what has transpired. Master Kaeya... Master Kaeya has left us..." His voice cracks with emotion, mirroring the pain etched on their faces.
Silence blankets the room, broken only by their collective cries of anguish. Amidst the sea of tears and sorrow, Shinso approaches Ashide, his eyes filled with both grief and concern. He speaks with a gentle, yet resolute tone, offering what little comfort he can muster. "Your Majesty, it is not your fault," he says, his voice laced with empathy. "You merely made a request, and Soldier Kaeya made his own choice. He determined his own path. You mustn't blame yourself."
But Ashide remains silent, her gaze fixed on the floor, her eyes shaking in palpable concern, but slowly she lifts her head to meet Shinso's gaze. Her lips tremble as she struggles to find the words, her voice strained and choked with emotion. "Nobu..." she begins, her voice laden with regret. "I didn't disclose everything about his powers..." Her admission hangs heavy in the air, drawing the attention of all present, even amidst their pain.
"Nobu, one day, will ascend to become one of the most feared beings in this world, if not fear itself. But with his ascension comes a dark burden..." Ashide's words hang in the air, the weight of their meaning pressing upon the room. "His existence brings misfortune not only upon those around him but upon those he loves the most. It is a curse he bears, an affliction that fuels his growth."
"Nobu thrives on pain, transforming suffering into raw power unlike any other." The weight of Ashide's revelation settles upon them all, adding another layer of sorrow to their already burdened hearts, "Nobu... Is the only one who won't grow unless he loses..."
Meanwhile, reality crashes upon Nobu's shoulders, causing him to come to a sudden halt as the last thread of Kaeya's presence dissipates. Every fiber of his being trembles with sorrow, his heartbeat reverberating through the air as a haunting reminder of his terror.
Beside him, Reina stands resolutely, flanked by Sayuri and Osamu. His voice, heavy with sorrow, reaches out to Nobu, a plea for strength and resilience. "Nobu," he calls, shaking his head in a desperate attempt to rouse his friend from the depths of his despair. "Stand up, Nobu. We must keep moving forward." With every word, Reina fights to contain his own emotions, channeling the indomitable spirit that Kaeya instilled in them.
Yet, Nobu remains unmoved, his thoughts locked away, his eyes consumed by an abyss that reflects his inner turmoil as his knees kiss the dirt. His refusal to budge sends shockwaves of distress through the group, their hearts pounding in unison with his silent rebellion.
Sayuri stands frozen, her eyes wide with a mixture of disbelief and helplessness, her body rooted to the ground as if her feet are entwined with the very earth beneath her. Osamu, determined to offer his support, approaches Nobu cautiously, extending his hand to rest it upon his friend's shoulder.
However, in a disorienting twist of fate, Osamu's hand passes through Nobu's form, as if the boy himself has become nothing more than an ethereal illusion, intangible and elusive. The realization of this surreal encounter hangs heavy in the air, causing a tremor of disbelief to run through the hearts of those who witness it. Shinso, overwhelmed by the inexplicable phenomenon, withdraws his hand hastily, his own grief deepening with each passing moment as he steps back.
Slowly, Nobu turns his head, and his sided gaze pierces through the souls of his companions, unleashing a profound horror that intensifies their anguish. His eyes, void of light and filled with emptiness, hang open in shock, a silent testament to the overwhelming weight of the tragedy that has befallen them all.
As the atmosphere grows increasingly frigid, a chilling presence permeates the scene, the air growing heavy, sending a shiver down everyone's spine. Sayuri wraps her arms around herself, attempting to ward off the sudden cold that seeps into her very core. "W... What is happening? Why is it so cold all of a sudden?" she questions, her voice tinged with unease and confusion, her eyes never leaving Nobu's matterless gaze.
Osamu, his gaze fixed upon Nobu, offers a solemn explanation, his own retreat signaling an unspoken danger lurking within their midst. He takes another step back, his instincts urging him to maintain a safe distance. "No, Sayuri," he responds, his voice quivering with a mix of fear and trepidation. "This... It's not merely cold... It's something else entirely."
Lifting his eyes to Nobu, who remains trapped in his vacant state, Osamu points directly at his friend, his gesture laden with a weighty significance. "It's a void, Sayuri... It's an absence of everything," he explains, his words tinged with a mix of sorrow and awe. "It's literally nothing."
As the unsettling atmosphere dissipates, gradually retreating from their surroundings, a peculiar manifestation takes shape before Nobu's eyes. He alone bears witness to the enigmatic energy that dances and shifts, defying the boundaries of existence itself. With each passing moment, all the colors fluidly transition before him, transforming into an awe-inspiring display that defies comprehension.
In this extraordinary moment, Nobu's eyes, once consumed by the abyss, return to their natural state. Yet, they now glisten with a newfound intensity, their depths exuding an eerie black hue that captivates all who dare to gaze into them. And in his hands, an extraordinary weapon materializes—A scythe comes forth.
Crafted from the darkest obsidian and wrapped with the darkest leather, the Snatch exudes an air of enigmatic elegance. At its apex, where the handle meets the heel, a striking white dragon skull with formidable horns adorns its surface. Each eye of the skull appears to shed a solitary tear, while its gaping maw unleashes a magnificent crimson-dark red blade that glimmers ominously. Death Tear, the embodiment of void powers, the symbol of immense profound significance.
With a renewed sense of purpose, Nobu rises to his feet, his mind clear and focused. The scythe, now resting on his back, and his eyes emanate a captivating purple glow, reflecting the immense power that surges within him. As his friends press forward along with him, their destination drawing near, Reina can't help but be consumed by a multitude of questions. And it is clear that Sayuri and Osamu share his curiosity, their inquisitive gazes fixed upon their enigmatic companion.
"Hey, Nobu," Reina begins, his voice laced with anticipation, his eye harnessing the abilities of perfect vision, "Can you still sense Mr. Kaeya's presence?"
Nobu's pace remains steady as he replies, "No, I cannot. But somehow, I find myself attuned to a familiar presence, one that is distinct from the Old man. I struggle to comprehend its owner though."
"And what about that scythe?" Osamu interjects, his attention fixated on the weapon adorning Nobu's back, "How did you come to possess it?"
"That's a good point!" Sayuri chimes in, her curiosity mirroring Osamu's, "We didn't witness any energy manifestation prior to its appearance. I mean, a sacred weapon is supposed to materialize out of its element after all. Could you shed some light on that?"
Nobu lifts the scythe, grasping it firmly with his right hand, its aura pulsating with energy. "It's... It's Death-tear," he announces, his voice filled with reverence. "It serves as the sacred weapon of my void powers."
Reina's astonishment is palpable as he watches Nobu secure the scythe once more upon his back. "A sacred weapon?" he exclaims, his voice tinged with disbelief. "But how did it materialize seemingly out of thin air? Please, don't tell me..."
Nobu's pace slows as they reach their intended destination, his expression contemplative. "Indeed, it emerged out of nothingness," he confirms, his voice carrying an air of profound mystery. "After all, it is formed from the very essence of the void."
The four soldiers reach their destination, their eyes fixed upon the building that stands before them. However, what they are seeing now is vastly different from when Kaeya was here. The discomfort settles in their hearts, unsettling their resolve.
Seeking confirmation, Nobu, his piercing purple eyes never wavering from the structure, speaks up, "When old man was here, there was only one entrance, right?" His voice carries a tinge of uncertainty. "Then... Why in the world are there three entrances now?"
Reina nods in agreement, his thumb momentarily finding solace under his headband. "That means we'll have to split up," he states, accepting the inevitable.
Nobu's bracer transforms into the formidable sword, determination etched on his face as his right hand gently reaches his necklace. "I'll take the left path" he marvels, "The presence I was tracking is undoubtedly there."
"Oh, you're inviting me for a match then..." Reina's right-hand reaches out, summoning his katana. "I'll take the right path then!" he declares with a sense of eagerness.
Sayuri's voice rings out as those two take off, filled with a fervent protest, "Man... I want to have a rival as well!" Her enthusiasm is palpable as she leaps into the air, hands raised high. "I wish to encounter a worthy adversary in this freaky place!!" With a determined stride, she enters the middle entrance, venturing forth into the enigmatic darkness all by herself.
As the three of them disappear into the shadows, a sense of concern weighs upon Osamu. "Guys, wait..." he mutters, his voice barely audible. But his words fall upon deaf ears, for each of his companions has already embarked on their chosen path, unswayed by his attempt to change their minds. Left with a difficult decision, Osamu stands alone, contemplating which course to follow.
"If I follow Nobu, it would be the logical choice since he lacks magical energy," he thinks, his eyes lingering on the left tunnel. But the desire to witness Reina's prowess tugs at his heart. "Yet, I yearn to see Reina in action as well," he muses, his gaze shifting towards the right tunnel.
His thoughts turn to Sayuri, her eagerness and high spirits resonating within him. "And what about Sayuri?" he wonders aloud, his hand resting upon his chin as he fixes his gaze on the middle tunnel. Caught between the three paths, Osamu's internal turmoil intensifies. In a moment of internal resolution, he raises both hands to his head and screams silently, "Forgive me, Nobu and Sayuri!"
In the end, he makes his choice, his mind made up. Taking a deep breath, Osamu sets off down the right road. "You're on your own," he whispers, a mix of regret and determination in his voice.
On the right tunnel, amid the chaotic battlefield, Reina unleashes his formidable prowess, invoking his "Dancing Blade" technique. Swift and nimble, he melds his arcane energy with the movements of his katana, becoming a whirlwind of destruction. With each precise strike, a multitude of ghouls falls before him, their malevolent forms vanquished by his prowess.
Osamu, captivated by the spectacle unfolding before his eyes, remains rooted to the spot, a mix of awe and admiration coursing through his veins. Observing Reina's agility and the sheer magnitude of his magical energy, Osamu cannot help but marvel at his comrade's extraordinary abilities.
"What in the world is happening here?" Osamu wonders silently, his gaze fixated on Reina's graceful movements. "He's already regarded as the strongest among the recruits, but this... this is truly remarkable. And his magical energy surpasses anything I've witnessed before."
Driven by the inspiration ignited within him, Osamu raises his right hand, summoning his greatsword with a smirk of anticipation. Without hesitation, he joins the fray, positioning himself alongside Reina, his blade poised to strike.
"Hey, don't leave me out of the action!" Osamu playfully protests, his voice laced with admiration. "You're putting on quite a show, but I won't be standing idly by, you know. I'm still your senpai, after all!"
Reina, standing back-to-back with Osamu, senses the camaraderie between them, their connection forged. As the ghouls encircle them, threatening their very existence.
Reina responds, a hint of amusement tinging his voice, "Senpai, huh?" he muses, his focus unwavering, the rhythm of his blade, a testament to his skill. "I'll consider it a compliment, then."
"Senpai, don't slow me down, okay?"