Chapter 22 — Wounds and Chains
Takiyu's body lay on the ground, cut clean into two parts — but even in that state, a faint smile stayed on his face as he collapsed with a thud. Kitsui stood frozen, her sharp mind struggling to believe what her eyes saw. Nensudo, however, smirked slightly, sensing something deeper.
It was Yusugo who stepped forward, breath steady now, eyes sharp. "He's not dead," he said firmly. "You three… your work is done here. Don't interfere now. And take Hakio with you."
Without a word, Bokuro's unconscious body was lifted by Nensudo and Kitsui. Hakio, still weak, stumbled after them as they left the cave, heading for the ruined palace.
Behind them, Takiyu's two halves began to draw together, the dark energy stitching his body whole again. He rose, power renewed, and the real battle began — Yusugo against Takiyu, mentor against fallen Scriptor. Takiyu's rage overflowed, and soon he overpowered Yusugo, forcing him to the ground.
But then, suddenly, Takiyu collapsed, his strength draining. He gasped, mind foggy, unable to recall what was happening. Yusugo stood above him, bloodied but alive, and said, "When I cut you… I used poison."
Takiyu's eyes widened. "Poison? Here? How...?"
Yusugo's voice was cold. "Hakio gave it to me."
The truth struck Takiyu — he had once given that very poison to Hakio. Now, it had returned to end him. Lying in his final moments, Takiyu's face softened. His last words, whispered, reached only Yusugo:
"Please… save my son."
And then, with a heavy silence, Takiyu breathed his last. Yusugo stared down, confused by the words… but chose to push them aside. He had another task. Gathering the dead and the living, he turned toward the palace.
—
At the palace, chaos still reigned. Otoki stood firm in the broken halls, dodging each savage strike from Era and Hiyugi. He did not attack — only defended, waiting, enduring. The new strength he had given to Team Kaji surged through them, and the enemy duo found themselves unable to break their formation.
Nensudo and Kitsui arrived, hauling Bokuro and Hakio. Their eyes widened at the sight — the royal guards all slain, the once-grand palace reduced to rubble. The battlefield was filled with cries and steel. Without hesitation, they joined Team Kaji, their spirits blazing.
Era screamed as she lashed out, her speed sharp as lightning. Hiyugi roared, his chains tearing through stone. But together — Otoki, Nensudo, Kitsui, and the renewed Team Kaji — they stood unyielding. Their combined strength pushed Era and Hiyugi back. For every strike they dealt, they received three in return.
Finally, with a crushing blow, Hiyugi was bound in thick chains, and Era fell, tangled and defeated. Both were tied up, struggling, their breath ragged.
Era sobbed, voice breaking. "Please… give me one more chance… I don't want to die…"
And then Yusugo entered, carrying Takiyu's lifeless body. Beside him were Rufia and Kairo, both captured but alive. His voice echoed through the broken palace walls. "The mission is complete. These criminals… they will face judgment at the Temple of Scriptors. There is no reason to stay longer."
Otoki stepped forward, wiping blood from his face. "At least… let us rest for a day."
But Yusugo's face remained hard. "No. We leave now. With four new prisoners who will pay for their crimes."
As the prisoners were gathered, Era kept crying, her tears staining the dirt. "I don't want to die… please…"
Kitsui stood silently, her heart heavy. She glanced at Bokuro, still unconscious. "Why now…?" she whispered.
Yusugo turned to Nensudo. "Carry Bokuro. We return."
Nensudo nodded, lifting his friend onto his back, though his own body ached.
Otoki looked at Team Kaji, laying a hand on each of them. His power, he take his power that he gives to them. "I used the power of die … now. If you wish to go… go."
No one spoke. They all turned, wounded and silent, and followed Yusugo.
Together, they left the shattered palace behind, carrying victory, prisoners, and ghosts — returning to the sacred grounds of the Shoshajiin.
The chapter closed on their retreat, with Era's cries fading into the wind, and Takiyu's dead body carried among the living.