The treasure room hummed with an eerie silence, broken only by Zami's cautious footsteps as he surveyed the artifacts. His sharp eyes scanned the assortment of weapons and relics scattered around the chamber—most were dull, lifeless, mere trinkets of a long-forgotten era. He ran his fingers over a blade leaning against a shattered shield, but it held no energy, no presence.
Zami's senses suddenly heightened. A faint, dark energy prickled at the edge of his awareness. It was subtle, yet familiar, a feeling that reminded him of the ominous power within his katana. He pushed aside piles of rusted swords and fractured helmets, following the sensation deeper into the mound of artifacts.
Finally, buried beneath layers of forgotten relics, he unearthed it—a small puppet crow. Its design was intricate, almost lifelike, carved from a black, polished material that shimmered faintly in the dim light. As Zami held it, the presence became clearer, stronger, as if the object was watching him.
"What is this?" he murmured, turning the puppet over in his hands.
Karesh's voice resonated within him. "That... is no ordinary relic. It is a vessel, one meant to house a soul or a fragment of power. Its craftsmanship is ancient, likely tied to the entities."
Zami's silver eyes narrowed. "A vessel? Could you inhabit it?"
Karesh hesitated. "In theory, yes. But the puppet's form cannot withstand my presence—it is far too fragile. My existence would overwhelm it."
Despite Karesh's warning, Zami felt an unsettling urge. The puppet's presence was not unlike his katana's, and something within him demanded he try. "I'm doing it," Zami said, his voice resolute.
"Zami, no!" Karesh's voice echoed, but Zami's decision was made.
As he focused on the puppet, an unimaginable pain tore through his body. It was unlike anything he had felt since Karesh had first entered him—a searing, consuming agony that made his knees buckle. He clutched his chest as black tendrils erupted from within, twisting and writhing violently.
"Zami!" Kiyo's voice was distant, drowned out by the roaring in his ears.
A deafening burst of dark energy exploded outward, shattering the ground beneath him. The force sent Kiyo stumbling backward, clutching the bird carving Zami had given her as she watched in horror.
The black appendages reached toward the puppet crow, enveloping it in their sinister embrace. Then, with a final surge, the darkness pulled itself free from Zami's body, leaving him gasping on the ground. The air grew still, oppressive, as the puppet crow began to move.
Its eyes glowed with an unnatural white light, and its wings twitched, rising slowly into the air. Zami's breath hitched as he realized the truth.
"Karesh...?"
The crow tilted its head, its voice unmistakably Karesh's. "I am here."
Zami struggled to his feet, his body trembling from the ordeal. "You're... in the puppet?"
"Yes," Karesh confirmed, his tone calm but firm. "My soul now resides in this vessel. But I remain connected to you."
"What about my revival ability?" Zami demanded, his voice edged with concern.
The crow hovered closer, its glowing eyes meeting Zami's. "My presence in your body granted you that ability. Though my soul now inhabits this form, my existence remains tied to you. The ability should persist—but it comes at a risk."
Zami's fists clenched. "What risk?"
"Without my full presence in your body, you are vulnerable. You cannot rely on my power to protect you. Everything now rests on your strength and will. But..." Karesh's glowing eyes softened. "I trust you, Zami. You have proven yourself time and again."
Zami's expression remained cold, but his voice betrayed a hint of unease. "This is dangerous."
"It is,"* Karesh admitted. "But it was your choice, and now we must adapt."
Zami glanced at Kiyo, who stood at a distance, her face pale but determined. He straightened, the weight of his decision settling over him.
"Then we move forward," he said, his voice resolute. "No more holding back."
Karesh, now perched on Zami's shoulder, gave a small nod. "Agreed. Let's see what lies ahead."
With that, Zami led Kiyo out of the shattered treasure room, his steps steady despite the storm of uncertainty swirling within him.
Zami adjusted the puppet crow on his shoulder as he walked, Kiyo trailing silently behind him. The atmosphere had shifted; the faint, unsettling presence of Karesh now radiated from the crow rather than Zami's own being. Kiyo, holding the small bird carving tightly, glanced nervously at the crow.
"You can hear him now, can't you?" Zami asked, his voice calm yet distant.
Kiyo hesitated before nodding. "I can… it's strange."
Karesh's voice broke through the silence, emanating from the crow in a deep, resonant tone. "It is strange for me as well, to exist in this state. But it was necessary."
Zami's sharp eyes narrowed slightly as he continued walking. "Necessary how?"
"If I entered this puppet entirely—both my existence and soul—it would be obliterated," Karesh explained, his glowing white eyes flickering faintly. "And if I were to vanish completely from your body, Zami, you would lose the revival ability. This arrangement is the only balance we can achieve. I am tied to you still, ensuring your survival, but my soul resides here, free to communicate with others."
Kiyo's grip on her carving tightened. "So... you're still part of him?"
"Yes," Karesh confirmed, "though not in the same way as before. Zami is more vulnerable now, but this was his decision. I trust it."
Zami said nothing, his silver eyes fixed ahead. He had accepted the risks the moment he acted, but the weight of it still lingered.
After navigating the labyrinthine corridors, they finally stumbled upon a staircase leading upward. Zami took the lead, his katana sheathed but his senses still heightened. Each step felt heavy, as if the temple itself wanted to pull them back into its depths.
When they emerged, the harsh, gray light of the barren wasteland greeted them. Ashes swirled in the air, the landscape desolate and lifeless. Zami stood silently, scanning the horizon. It was the same ruined world he had known, yet it felt different now—emptier, heavier.
"This world..." Kiyo murmured, her voice faint with sorrow.
Zami's gaze shifted toward her. "It's what's left. But it's still ours to survive in."
As they pressed on, Zami noticed the remnants of a small village not far from the temple's exit. The buildings were dilapidated and covered in soot, but they were still standing.
"We'll rest there," Zami said, leading the way.
The village was silent, the air thick with decay and abandonment. Zami pushed open the creaking door of one of the houses, its interior dusty but relatively intact. He examined the space briefly before nodding.
"This will do," he said, motioning for Kiyo to enter.
She hesitated, her eyes darting around the darkened room, before stepping inside. Zami closed the door behind her, securing it as best as he could. He found a corner and removed his cloak, placing it beneath him as he sat down.
"Karesh," Zami said, his tone firm. "If anything happens, wake me."
"Of course," Karesh replied, his glowing eyes fixed on Zami.
Zami leaned back, his body weary from the day's events. Kiyo sat nearby, still clutching her carving, her gaze lingering on the crow puppet.
"Rest," Zami said quietly, his voice steady but gentle. "We'll need our strength."
As Kiyo nodded and settled into a corner, Zami closed his eyes, his mind drifting into a light sleep. Despite the unease that hung over them, he trusted Karesh to keep watch.
Outside, the ashes continued to fall, blanketing the village in silence as the trio prepared for whatever lay ahead.