Setting: The Ruins of the Inverted Light Temple –
An ancient temple said to have been built to seal forbidden oaths, surrounded by shattered statues of forgotten gods.
After the events in the City of Masks, the commanders gather around a dying fire.
Tension thickens in the air as the topic turns to Sajibro's true power.
Seraphin, newly returned and bearing strange wounds, speaks in a strained, broken voice:
"Sajibro... his power isn't whole. It's sealed by an ancient binding… one that can only break through death."
Silence falls.
Musayuki (coldly):
"Who sealed it? And why?"
Sajibro (lowering his head, his eyes clouding):
"I did. I asked for it."
Hana (shocked):
"What? Why would anyone do that to themselves?"
Sajibro:
"Years ago… in the first Shadow Wars, I lost control.
My raw power burned everything near me — even my brothers."
(He looks at Kain.)
"Do you remember the Battle of the Weeping Forest?"
Kain (with a sharp voice):
"I do. The sky rained ash… because of you."
Sajibro:
"I thought I was doing my duty.
But I saw the eyes of soldiers burning — looking at me like I was a monster.
And I was about to kill Musayuki himself… if not for—"
Musayuki:
"If not for me stopping you… with my eyes."
Hana:
"You never told us this before."
Sajibro:
"Because I was afraid… of myself.
So I went to the elders and asked them to seal my power.
What you see now… is just a sliver."
Igris:
"But now we face something far worse than our fears…
Raizen shows no mercy."
Sajibro (his gaze calm but unyielding):
"That's why I must break free… even if it costs me my life."
Kara:
"No. There has to be another way."
Sajibro:
"Perhaps there is.
A real fight… with Musayuki.
If I fight with all I have, maybe the soul will crack enough to shatter the seal."
Hana (placing her hand over her heart):
"But if it fails…"
Sajibro (with a faint, melancholic smile):
"Then at least… I die fighting for those I loved."
The scene shifts to the Dark Stone Arena.
Zu-Ken (looking at Musayuki):
"Will you go through with it?"
Musayuki:
"I won't fight to kill him… but to save him."
End of Chapter Sixteen