I couldn't believe what was happening. One moment, we were holding our own against the Ancient creatures, and the next, we were in full retreat, battered and bruised.
As we regrouped at the secure military base, I paced back and forth, my mind racing. We needed more power to defeat these things, but how? I turned to Masato, my eyes pleading. "There has to be a way."
Masato's expression was grim. "There is one option... but it's incredibly risky." He reached into his pocket, pulling out a small, ornate box. "This is a powerful cursed tool, capable of amplifying my abilities. But the price is high."
I felt my eyes widen. "What do you mean, the price?" Masato opened the box, revealing a glowing shared of crystal. "If I bound with this, it will give me immense power. But it could also consume me, drive me mad."
I was silent for a long moment, my face torn. We didn't have a choice. If we couldn't stop them, they'd destroy the world. I placed my hand on Masato's shoulder. "I trust you. Do what you have to do."
The scene shifted to a ritual chamber deep beneath the base. Masato stood at the center of a glowing circle, the tool hovering before him. He took a deep breath, then reached out and grasped the crystal shard.
A blinding light filled the chamber as Masato's body was wreathed in energy. He screamed in agony, his voice echoing through the halls. I watched in horror, unable to look away.
When the light faded, Masato stood there, his eyes glowing with power. He looked down at his hand, a twisted smile spreading across his face. "Yes....this power. I can feel it coursing through me."
I stepped forward, my voice trembling. "Masato? Are you alright?" He turned to me, his expression unreadable. "I'm better than alright, Aiko. I'm invincible."
I couldn't help but feel a chill run down my spine. What had we done? Had we just unleashed something even more dangerous than the Ancients themselves? I knew one thing for certain - the battle was far from over.