The night was still. I sat on a boulder, meditating beneath the vast darkness. The forest around me was silent—save for the distant howls of wolves and the soft croaking of frogs. The only light came from a small bonfire beside me, its flames flickering weakly, crackling as they began to die down.
Karin slept soundly in the small shelter nearby, her breathing calm, untouched by worry.
I closed my eyes, letting my mind drift. Even though I didn't need much sleep, I still tried to rest for an hour or so. My thoughts began to fade, my body relaxing as I sank toward sleep—until something changed.
I didn't know what it was, but I felt it immediately. The air around me shifted. It was both terrifying and strangely comforting—an ancient, primal presence pressing down on me. My instincts flared to life. My heart pounded uncontrollably, and yet I couldn't explain why. The feeling was wrong, and that made it worse.
Then, suddenly—light.
A blinding flash erupted from the dying fire, bursting upward like a pillar reaching for the canopy. The beam twisted, condensed—and then… a massive hand formed within it, tearing the light apart as if it were a curtain.
The air grew hot—too hot. Not physically, but spiritually. My body was untouched, yet my soul felt as though it were burning.
From the rift stepped a figure—a towering old man with a bulky, almost divine build. His golden eyes locked onto mine, glowing like molten metal in the darkness.
My body refused to move; even thought itself felt shackled. Only my eyes still belonged to me—and even that hurt.
When I finally forced myself to look at his face, pain seared through my vision—not physical, but deeper, as though I was unworthy even to gaze upon him.
Then I heard a faint voice behind me.
"Akuma…?"
Karin had woken up, rubbing her eyes lazily, still half-asleep. But the moment she looked toward the towering man of light—she disintegrated.
Her body turned to dust in an instant, scattering like ash in the wind.The spot where she had stood was empty—utterly, horrifyingly empty.
For a heartbeat, I could only stare in disbelief. Then rage consumed me.
"WHAT DID YOU DO!?" I tried to shout, but my voice cracked under the weight of his presence. My muscles wouldn't respond. Only my will screamed inside me, desperate to strike.
"Who… who the hell are you!?" I roared, even as fire erupted across my skin.
The flames didn't burn me, but the pain was unbearable—like my soul itself was on fire. Still, I refused to bow. Even when my knees trembled, even when my body screamed, I kept my gaze locked on him.
Deep down, I knew the truth: this being before me wasn't something I could fight. His presence alone was absolute authority—an existence that commanded submission. My defiance was useless, but I clung to it anyway.
"Who the fuck are you!?" I demanded again through gritted teeth.
The old man tilted his head, as though mildly amused. Then, he laughed.
His laughter shook the entire forest—thunder rolling through the ground, splitting the air itself.
"Few have dared to look at me," he said, his voice echoing like a storm, "and fewer dared to question me."
He paused, those molten eyes focusing on me."I am the Broken One."A pause. The world itself seemed to tremble."I am the Fire that does not burn.""I am the Beggar Emperor."
He extended a hand toward me; his expression softened. "And I am here to take you home, little one."
My breath caught.Home?
For a moment, I couldn't process his words. My voice came out small, uncertain."Are you… my grandfather?"
The great figure smiled faintly. "Yes. You have been missing for eight days. It's time to return."
As he spoke, the oppressive light began to fade. The golden radiance around him dimmed, and for the first time, I could see his face clearly.
He looked almost exactly like my father—same sharp features, same proud stance—but his hair was snow white, and his eyes glowed like molten gold.
And for the first time since that light appeared, I felt something strange beneath the fear—something dangerously close to peace. Finally, I could move my body, even if only a little.
"I… I can't return home right now," I said, fear trembling in my voice. I didn't even know why I was afraid.
"I didn't ask, little one."
His voice carried absolute authority—so heavy it made the air itself bow. He towered over me, and I had to tilt my head just to see his golden eyes.
"How did you find me?" I asked, confusion tightening my chest. "I'm not even in the same universe…"
The Emperor's gaze didn't waver. "Blood calls to blood."
"I can't leave yet," I stammered. "I have a mission. Tell Mom I'll be back in a couple of days."
He shook his head slowly, folding his arms across his chest. His tone remained powerful, but there was a faint sorrow beneath it. "I cannot do that, little one. Your mother has destabilized the entire empire searching for you. Billions have already died in her fury. Many more continue to perish as the search spreads."
He paused, his golden eyes softening—just slightly."You know how much she loves you. Before I am forced to kill her myself, come home."
His words struck like a blade. My heart sank. The image of my mother—grieving, raging, tearing apart worlds just to find me—filled my chest with guilt so heavy I could barely breathe.
But I couldn't go. Not yet. I still had a mission to complete. I had to become stronger.
I clenched my fists and forced myself to meet his gaze. "No. I'm not leaving."
For a moment, silence filled the air. Then his golden eyes blazed with terrifying brilliance. Fear wrapped around my heart like chains—cold and suffocating.
"I didn't ask for your permission," he said, his voice shaking the ground beneath us. "We are going. Now."
A crushing force slammed into me. My body froze—completely immobile. I couldn't even twitch a finger. My lungs screamed for air, my vision trembled, and still, I couldn't move.
All I could do was watch as the Emperor's divine light filled the forest once more.