Location: "The Tomb of the Silent Emperors" – a sacred place where the honored Shadow Commanders are laid to rest, now defiled.
After Raizen's shadow appeared in the Valley of Mirrors, Jinro, Sajibro, and Kara (whose soul was restored) returned to the Shadow Palace, bearing bitter news: Raizen had gained the ability to imprison souls and replace them.
In the throne hall, Musayuki, Kain, Igris, and Hana waited. The air was heavy with anxiety, like a thick shadow cast over the room.
Kara (his voice still weak): "I saw other trapped souls… some I recognized… others from ancient eras."
Hana (flipping through the Book of Seals): "The Fifth Commander… his name was never spoken among the living, but legends say he… vanished in that tomb."
Musayuki (his eyes burning with cold fire): "He didn't vanish… he was hidden. And Raizen plays with our souls like puppets."
The group heads toward the Tomb of the Silent Emperors. A dead silence reigns. Massive stone graves bear faded engravings. But instead of peace, they find desecration—symbols of twisted Light magic, and one grave wide open… the grave of the Fifth Commander.
Igris (examining the empty tomb): "He wasn't imprisoned… he was used."
Sajibro: "But how? His soul should've been at peace here."
Suddenly, the tomb trembles. A ghost emerges—transparent, blue, wielding a blade of dimmed light. But its face… is featureless. And its voice… a layered echo of eternal betrayal.
The Ghost (in overlapping voices): "I… am what's left of… Yurin – Blade of Vengeance."
"Raizen… promised me justice… for those who betrayed the shadows."
Kain (his eyes narrowing): "Yurin… was the most loyal of us… How did he become this?"
The battle begins. Yurin's ghost moves like lightning, his sword slicing through spirits. But it's clear he isn't fighting by will… he's being controlled.
Musayuki raises his scepter, but Hana stops him:
Hana: "Don't strike his soul… his body's bound by dark energy."
Kara (remembering): "Raizen… he spoke of a 'Blood Oath'… a bond that links vengeful souls to those who avenge them."
Zo-Ken (growling): "So… Yurin believed Raizen would avenge our darkness?"
Musayuki (moving cautiously): "We must break that bond… before his mistaken justice kills us all."
Musayuki uses the "Eye of Truth" – a power that reveals spiritual connections – and sees blue threads binding the ghost to the heart of the tomb.
He moves toward the tomb's heart, where he finds a black altar pulsing with dark energy. At its center lies a glowing blue crystal—the Heart of the Oath.
Raizen (appearing as a phantom above the altar, laughing):
"Did you like the bargain, Yurin? Power in exchange for loyalty… a fair trade."
Musayuki (whispering coldly):
"Justice cannot be bought with betrayal… soul-rapist."
He strikes the altar with his scepter. Before it shatters, a twisted beam of Light bursts out, hitting Yurin's ghost. The ghost screams… faint features appear on its face… the real Yurin, suffering.
Yurin (in a fading voice):
"I only… wanted… peace… for them…"
Then he vanishes, turning into blue dust. The crystal dims. The altar cracks.
Musayuki (bowing his head):
"He is free… but the cost of freedom was his soul."
Kain (placing a hand on Musayuki's shoulder):
"Raizen twists even our most sacred memories… We must stop him."
But from among the graves, a dense black shadow rises and speaks in a cold voice:
"The Fifth was not the last to be used… the Sixth awaits you in the City of Masks."
End of Chapter Fourteen.